# Hydrofluoric acid: Regulation

How Japan used chip-grade HF as a trade weapon

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hydrofluoric_acid/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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.

## Other sections

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