# Refining catalysts: Regulation

Why spent refinery catalyst counts as hazardous waste

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/refining_catalysts/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 |
|---|---|---|
| FCC catalyst: respirable dust; nickel-containing catalysts: carcinogen cat 1A (inhalation) and skin sensitiser | not regulated (fresh FCC); UN3190 or UN2881 for self-heating spent catalyst | Dust exposure in handling; nickel compounds are classified carcinogens; spent catalyst can self-heat. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | REACH; nickel compounds listed as carcinogenic; spent catalysts as hazardous waste (EWC 16 08) | drives closed-loop reclamation |
| **US** | RCRA listed hazardous waste K171 and K172 for spent hydrotreating and hydrorefining catalyst | spent catalyst must be regenerated or reclaimed |
| **Global** | Fuel sulphur standards (Euro 6, US Tier 3, IMO 2020) | sustains hydroprocessing catalyst demand |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules 2016 (spent catalysts are hazardous waste)** | spent catalyst handled by authorised recyclers |
| **BS-VI fuel standard (April 2020)** | 10 ppm sulphur fuels require deep hydrotreating |

#### Trade measures

- China export controls on some rare earth technologies and elements (2023-2025) are a supply-chain risk for lanthanum (rare_earths tile)

#### Supply risk

Few suppliers and dependence on Chinese lanthanum. Lanthanum and cerium are on EU and US critical mineral lists as rare earths. Ownership is shifting to private equity (Ketjen) and private owners (Grace).

## Other sections

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