The mandatory national standard "Safety Technical Specification for Ammonium Nitrate" has been issued and will be implemented from November 1, 2024.

To implement the "Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening the Safety Production of Hazardous Chemicals" issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, deeply learn from the lessons of major ammonium nitrate accidents at home and abroad, strengthen the major safety risk control of ammonium nitrate, and improve the intrinsic safety level of relevant enterprises, the Ministry of Emergency Management has organized the formulation of the national standard "Safety Technical Specification for Ammonium Nitrate" (GB 44022-2024), which was recently released and will be implemented from November 1, 2024.

Ammonium nitrate has dangerous characteristics of exploding when exposed to fire, high temperature, or violent impact. There have been multiple major explosion accidents involving ammonium nitrate both domestically and internationally. Based on lessons learned from these major accidents, this standard focuses on the risk control of ammonium nitrate explosions, stipulating the basic requirements for the design and other aspects of ammonium nitrate production enterprises, as well as safety requirements for production, storage, and emergency handling stages. It clarifies the safety conditions for storing solid ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate solutions, emphasizes requirements related to external safety protection distances, installation of peak-shaving devices, safety interlocks, and monitoring temperature control and early warning.

China is a major producer of ammonium nitrate. The release of this standard fills the gap in safety management standards for ammonium nitrate production. After implementation, it will strongly promote the intrinsic safety level of ammonium nitrate production enterprises. The Ministry of Emergency Management will strengthen publicity and interpretation combined with typical accident cases, incorporate it into key inspections and expert guidance services, and guide and promote regions and relevant enterprises to further enhance awareness of major safety risk prevention and control of ammonium nitrate, scientifically and normatively manage safety, and focus on precise and effective prevention of major accidents.