Hydrofluoric acid: Regulation How Japan used chip-grade HF as a trade weapon
Summary Overview Correlation Production route Production Feedstocks Cycles Trading Movement Regulation Characteristics Emissions Relationships Hazards Classification UN number Key risks Acute toxicity category 1-2 (inhalation, dermal, oral); skin corrosion category 1A UN1052 Small skin exposures can be fatal through calcium depletion; releases form toxic clouds. Refinery HF alkylation units carry community risk.
Main rules Where Rule Effect International Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (HFC phase-down) Shapes demand for HF in refrigerants EU F-gas Regulation 2024/573 (HFC phase-out by 2050); REACH PFAS restriction proposal (2023) Cuts HFC demand; may restrict fluoropolymers US AIM Act (85% HFC phase-down by 2036); EPA RMP and OSHA PSM for HF Cuts HFC demand; strict safety management Japan / Korea Dual-use export controls on high-purity HF (Japan, 2019; eased 2023) Showed HF is a strategic chip input
India Rule Effect Kigali schedule for India: HFC freeze 2028, 85% cut by 2047 Long-term cap on HFC output, growth in HFOs and exports MoEFCC direction to capture and destroy HFC-23 by-product (2016) Cut a potent greenhouse gas at HCFC-22 plants MSIHC Rules 1989 HF is a listed hazardous chemical
Trade measures Chinese export controls on some strategic minerals and fluorochemicals US tariff on HF (HS 2811.11) is free (USGS) No Indian anti-dumping measure on HF found Supply risk High: China controls most fluorspar and HF, and fluorspar is on the EU and US critical minerals lists. Electronic-grade HF is a chokepoint for chips.