# Chlorine: Regulation

From First World War gas to rail tanker disasters

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/regulation/

What this tab covers How it is regulated and what could disrupt supply: hazard classification, rules in the EU, US and India, anti-dumping duties and other trade measures, and supply-risk notes.

#### Hazards

| Classification | UN number | Key risks |
|---|---|---|
| Press. gas; Ox. Gas 1; Acute Tox. 2 (inhalation); Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2; STOT SE 3; Aquatic Acute 1 | UN1017 | Toxic at low concentrations; a ruptured tanker can cause mass casualties (Graniteville, US, 2005). Used as a weapon in the First World War. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | REACH; Seveso III; Industrial Emissions Directive with chlor-alkali BAT conclusions (mercury cells banned from Dec 2017); EU ETS | drove membrane conversion and adds carbon cost through power prices |
| **US** | EPA TSCA asbestos rule (2024): most diaphragm plants to switch by 2029, all by 2036; OSHA PSM; DHS CFATS | closures or conversions of remaining diaphragm capacity |
| **Global** | Minamata Convention on Mercury | phase-out of mercury cells |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical (MSIHC) Rules 1989; Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels Rules (PESO)** | licensing for storage and tonner filling |
| **BIS standard IS 646 for liquid chlorine** | sets purity for water treatment grades |
| **CPCB charter for chlor-alkali; mercury cells phased out** | all Indian capacity is membrane |

#### Trade measures

- EU anti-dumping duty of 58.0% and UK 56.01% on US PVC (Westlake 10-K), which shifts chlorine value chains
- India countervailing-duty probe on Chinese PVC (Feb 2026)

#### Supply risk

Supply is local and diversified, but tied to power availability. Europe's losses of capacity raise import dependence for chlorine derivatives. Chlorine is not on critical raw material lists; salt is abundant.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/movement/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/links/index.md)