# Sulphuric acid: Regulation

Burns, acid attacks and a Gulf supply choke point

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/sulphuric_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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin corrosion category 1A; serious eye damage category 1 | UN1830 | Severe burns, violent heat release on dilution, and SO2/SO3 releases from plants. Acid attacks have led to retail sale controls in India and the UK. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | REACH registration; Industrial Emissions Directive BAT conclusions for large volume inorganic chemicals; Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 on explosives precursors (acid above 15% restricted for the general public) | Sets SO2 emission limits for plants and restricts consumer sales |
| **US** | EPA New Source Performance Standards for sulphuric acid plants (40 CFR 60 Subpart H); OSHA PSM for oleum | Limits SO2 and acid mist emissions |
| **China** | Export quota then export suspension (2026) | Removed about 2.8 Mt from world trade |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **MSIHC Rules 1989 (hazardous chemical schedule)** | Safety reports, on-site emergency plans and notification for large storages |
| **Poisons Act state rules and Supreme Court directions on acid sales (Laxmi v Union of India, 2013)** | Retail buyers must show ID and sellers keep registers; over-the-counter sale is restricted |
| **BIS IS 266 specification for sulphuric acid** | Sets grades and purity for commercial acid |

#### Trade measures

- China export suspension of smelter and sulphur-burner acid from May 2026, electronic grade excepted (S&P Global)
- US tariff on HS 2807 is free (USGS 2026)
- No Indian anti-dumping duty on sulphuric acid found

#### Supply risk

Acid supply depends on sulphur from the Gulf (over 45% of seaborne sulphur) and on Chinese smelter acid, both disrupted in 2026. Acid is not on major critical lists; sulphur was assessed in the EU's 2023 criticality study, and phosphate rock, its main customer, is on the EU critical list.

## Other sections

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