# Nitric acid: Regulation

Oxidiser, corrosive and a gateway to explosives

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/nitric_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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidising liquid category 3; skin corrosion category 1A; acute inhalation toxicity | UN2031 | Severe burns, NOx release and fire risk with organic materials. Downstream AN is an explosion risk if stored badly. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | EU ETS covers N2O from nitric and adipic acid since 2013; product benchmark about 0.302 allowances per t (2013-2020) and about 0.230 (2021-2025) (indicative); REACH; Seveso III for AN | Made abatement standard across EU plants |
| **EU** | Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism covers fertilisers including nitric acid and AN | Importers pay for embedded emissions from 2026 |
| **US** | EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (Subpart V, nitric acid); NSPS for NOx | Reporting of N2O; no federal price on it |
| **International** | Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG); 14 countries signed the declaration | Funds abatement in developing countries |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **MSIHC Rules 1989** | Nitric acid is a listed hazardous chemical; site safety reports and emergency plans |
| **Ammonium Nitrate Rules 2012 (PESO)** | Licensing of AN manufacture, storage and transport; tightened after the 2020 Beirut explosion |
| **Indian carbon market (Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023)** | Could cover N2O abatement as an offset or compliance sector (indicative) |

#### Trade measures

- EU CBAM on fertilisers from 2026
- No anti-dumping measures on nitric acid found

#### Supply risk

Supply depends on ammonia, which depends on gas and, in 2026, on Gulf shipping. Acid itself is not on critical lists, but AN is a strategic material for mining and defence.

## Other sections

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