CAS 7697-37-2 · TSCA · United States of America

Nitric acid under TSCA

HNO3 · 硝酸

Status: Listed. Nitric acid is on the TSCA Inventory and is currently listed as TSCA Active. **OSHA PEL 2 ppm 8-hr TWA, 4 ppm STEL** at 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 (verify against https://www.osha.gov/annotated-pels). **EPA RMP threshold 15,000 lb for nitric acid at 80% concentration or greater** (40 CFR 68.130 Table 1 / Appendix A; verified against https://www.epa.gov/rmp/list-regulated-substances-under-risk-management-plan-rmp-program). NOT on DEA scheduling. NOT on Cal Prop 65 (verify against OEHHA https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list before relying on negative listing). **TRI Section 313 listed**: Form R annual reporting required. **DHS CFATS** (Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards) for above-threshold nitric acid handling facilities (explosives precursor concern; verify current CFATS Appendix A thresholds against the relevant DHS CISA portal before relying). **ATF Federal explosives regulations**: ammonium nitrate downstream is regulated under federal explosives law (verify the current ammonium nitrate security framework against the ATF and CISA portals before relying on SAFE Explosives Act 2002 or Public Law 110-161 specifically). NO active US AD/CVD case on Chinese-origin nitric acid currently (verify against https://access.trade.gov/ before invoicing). Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies on Chinese-origin nitric acid (HS 280800). Major US domestic producers (verify each company-site pair against the producer's public website before relying): Dyno Nobel, Yara North America, CF Industries, Nutrien, Koch Industries.

The US nitric acid lane is dominated by **OSHA PEL + EPA RMP 15,000 lb threshold + TRI Form R + DHS CFATS + ATF explosives regulations** (ammonium nitrate downstream is dual-use civil + military explosives precursor). NO active US AD/CVD case. Major US producers: Dyno Nobel, Yara North America, CF Industries, Nutrien, Koch Industries.

Listing and threshold

Substance Nitric acid (CAS 7697-37-2), HNO3
Regime US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), administered by EPA
Jurisdiction United States of America
Status Listed
Tonnage threshold CDR (Chemical Data Reporting) threshold: 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) manufactured or imported per site per year

Classifications under this regime

  • OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS): GHS H272 / H314 / H318 / H330
  • OSHA PEL 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1: 2 ppm 8-hr TWA, 4 ppm STEL (per https://www.osha.gov/annotated-pels)
  • NIOSH REL: 2 ppm 8-hr TWA, 4 ppm STEL (verify against https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/)
  • **EPA RMP threshold 15,000 lb for nitric acid at 80% concentration or greater** (40 CFR 68.130 Table 1; verified against https://www.epa.gov/rmp/list-regulated-substances-under-risk-management-plan-rmp-program)
  • NOT on DEA List I or List II
  • NOT on California Proposition 65 list (verify against OEHHA https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list before relying on negative listing)
  • **TRI Section 313 listed**
  • **DHS CFATS** + **ATF Federal explosives regulations** (ammonium nitrate retail tracking)
  • DOT hazardous materials regulation: UN 2031 / 2032, Class 8
  • IARC: nitric acid itself is not separately classified; occupational exposure to strong-inorganic-acid mists containing sulfuric acid was classified IARC Group 1 (laryngeal cancer) in Monograph Volume 54 (1992) (verify the current classification and Monograph volume against https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications before relying on the inorganic-acid-mist read-across for nitric acid)

Restrictions and conditions of use

  • OSHA-compliant SDS and workplace HazCom training required
  • **OSHA PEL 2 ppm + 4 ppm STEL** workplace exposure-control overhead
  • **EPA RMP threshold 15,000 lb**: Risk Management Plan filing required
  • NO active US AD/CVD case on Chinese-origin nitric acid currently
  • Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies on Chinese-origin nitric acid (HS 280800)
  • **TRI Form R annual reporting**
  • **DHS CFATS Top-Screen + Site Security Plan** for above-threshold facilities
  • **ATF Federal explosives regulations** for ammonium nitrate retail tracking

Importer obligations

TSCA is a self-certification regime. The dominant practitioner-facing layer is **OSHA PEL + EPA RMP 15,000 lb threshold + TRI Form R + DHS CFATS + ATF explosives regulations**. NO active AD/CVD case. Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies. Major US domestic producers: Dyno Nobel, Yara North America, CF Industries, Nutrien, Koch Industries.

Required documents

  • TSCA Section 13 Import Certification statement on customs entry
  • OSHA-compliant SDS reflecting H272 / H314 / H318 / H330 classification
  • Customs entry CBP Form 7501 with HS code 280800 (nitric acid) and Section 301 List 3 25% duty applied
  • **EPA RMP filing** (where site exceeds 15,000 lb threshold)
  • TRI Form R annual report
  • **DHS CFATS Top-Screen + Site Security Plan** for above-threshold facilities
  • **ATF compliance documentation** for ammonium nitrate downstream applications

Common compliance traps

The pitfalls that have bitten importers on this lane in the past. None of these is theoretical.

  • **OSHA PEL + EPA RMP 15,000 lb threshold + TRI Form R + DHS CFATS + ATF explosives regulations** is the dominant practitioner overhead
  • NO active US AD/CVD case
  • Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies
  • Major US producers: Dyno Nobel, Yara North America, CF Industries, Nutrien, Koch Industries
  • **Closes ammonia batch 37 + DAP batch 11 + aniline batch 26 + caprolactam batch 14 chains via Ostwald process**
  • Ammonium nitrate downstream is dual-use civil + military explosives precursor; ATF + DHS regulation parallel

Where to read next

For substance-level identifiers (formula, molecular weight, SMILES, InChIKey), GHS hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and full sourcing reference for nitric acid, see the CAS 7697-37-2 sourcing reference.

For grade-by-grade buying notes, freight maths, supplier-tier pricing, and a worked landed-cost example, the nitric acid cornerstone hub covers the full sourcing chain.

For the structure and history of TSCA, see the TSCA glossary entry.

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Cross-jurisdiction profile and sourcing references

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