Ultra-pure wet chemicals: Regulation
How export controls on HF became a trade weapon
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 |
|---|---|---|
| corrosive acids and bases (skin corrosion cat 1A), oxidiser (H2O2), acute toxicity (HF, TMAH), flammable liquid (IPA) | UN1830, UN1790, UN2014, UN2672, UN1219 | HF burns that bind calcium; TMAH skin exposure can be fatal; peroxide decomposition. |
Main rules
| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| US | OSHA process safety and EPA wastewater rules for fabs (indicative) | drives on-site treatment and reclaim |
| Japan | Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act export controls on high-purity HF (2019 Korea episode) | shows export leverage |
| EU | REACH; PFAS restriction proposal for some fluorinated surfactants and chemistries (indicative) | reformulation pressure |
India
| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| Semicon India Programme (Rs 76,000 crore) and Semicon 2.0 (Rs 1,27,500 crore, about $13-15 billion, approved in July 2026) with incentives for specialty chemicals and materials | supports local electronic-grade plants |
| MSIHC Rules 1989; Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules 2016 | licensing and waste rules for acids and fluorides |
Trade measures
- No duties on electronic grades found in sources used; Chinese acid export halt (2026) affected base acid
Supply risk
Purity know-how and qualified capacity are concentrated in Japan, Korea, the US and Europe. Fluorspar (for HF) is critical in the EU and US. Fabs in new regions depend on imports until local plants qualify.