# Toluene: Regulation

Flammable vapour and solvent abuse risks

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/toluene/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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquid cat 2; reproductive toxicity cat 2; STOT repeated exposure cat 2; aspiration hazard cat 1; skin irritation cat 2; STOT single exposure cat 3 (drowsiness) | UN1294 | Highly flammable vapour; solvent abuse and neurological effects from chronic exposure. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | REACH Annex XVII: toluene limited to below 0.1% in adhesives and spray paints sold to the public | Pushes consumer products to other solvents (indicative) |
| **EU** | Paints Directive 2004/42/EC VOC limits | Reduces solvent toluene use in coatings (indicative) |
| **International** | UN 1988 Convention Table II precursor | Export notification and record-keeping in many countries |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **MSIHC Rules 1989 (listed hazardous chemical); Petroleum Rules for storage** | Site safety and storage licensing (indicative) |

#### Trade measures

- India extended anti-dumping duty on toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a toluene derivative (Ministry of Finance notification, per Alchempro/Procurement Resource reports, 2025)

#### Supply risk

Low; supply is spread across many refineries. Asian naphtha disruption in 2026 showed exposure to Gulf feed. Not on critical lists.

## Other sections

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