Hydrogen Regulations & Standards

Your comprehensive guide to global hydrogen regulations, standards, and compliance requirements

Overview

Hydrogen is a highly regulated energy carrier with complex safety, quality, and environmental requirements. This guide provides a curated overview of major hydrogen-related regulations and standards across the entire value chain, organized by project phase and geography. Use this resource to ensure compliance and make informed decisions in your hydrogen projects.

Regulations by Project Phase

Technical Standards

  • ISO 16110 – Hydrogen generators using fuel processing technologies
  • ISO 22734 – Hydrogen production via electrolysis
  • IEC 62282-3 – Stationary fuel cell power systems

Environmental Regulations

  • EU Delegated Acts – RFNBO definitions for green hydrogen
  • RED II – Renewable energy requirements
  • CertifHy – Green hydrogen certification

Safety Guidelines

  • US DOE Safety Guidelines – Best practices for electrolyzers
  • EIGA Doc 155/21 – Best available techniques
  • ISO/TR 15916 – Basic safety considerations

Pressure Vessels

  • ASME Section VIII – Pressure vessel design codes
  • EN 13445 – Unfired pressure vessels
  • ISO 19884 – High pressure vessels

Storage Systems

  • ISO 19880-1 – Gaseous hydrogen stations
  • NFPA 2 – Hydrogen storage requirements
  • CGA H-5 – Installation standards

Safety & Monitoring

  • IEC 60079 – Explosive atmospheres
  • ISO 26142 – Hydrogen detection
  • EIGA Doc 211/17 – Incident prevention

Transport Standards

  • ADR – European Agreement for Dangerous Goods
  • ISO 17268 – Vehicle refueling connection devices
  • UN GTR 13 – Hydrogen vehicles safety

Pipeline Standards

  • ASME B31.12 – Hydrogen piping and pipelines
  • EN 17124 – Hydrogen fuel quality
  • ISO 15916 – Safety considerations

Safety Requirements

  • ISO 19880-1 – Fueling station safety
  • EIGA Doc 75 – Transport safety
  • CGA G-5.4 – Handling guidelines

Fuel Cell Standards

  • IEC 62282 – Fuel cell technologies
  • ISO 14687 – Hydrogen fuel quality
  • SAE J2719 – PEM fuel cell requirements

Industrial Use

  • ISO 22734 – Industrial applications
  • EIGA Doc 122 – Industrial practices
  • NFPA 2 – Industrial compliance

Safety Standards

  • ISO 19880-8 – Product quality control
  • CGA G-5.5 – Handling procedures
  • EIGA Doc 23 – Safety management

ISO Standards

  • ISO 19880-1 – General requirements for hydrogen refuelling stations
  • ISO 19880-2 – Dispenser specifications
  • ISO 19880-3 – Valves
  • ISO 19880-5 – Hoses and hose assemblies
  • ISO 19880-8 – Fuel quality assurance during refuelling
  • ISO 14687 – Hydrogen fuel quality specifications for FCVs

SAE Standards 🇺🇸

  • SAE J2601 – Fueling protocols for gaseous hydrogen (35 MPa and 70 MPa)
  • SAE J2601-1 – Light-duty vehicle refuelling protocol
  • SAE J2600 – Connectors and receptacles specifications
  • SAE J2799 – Vehicle-to-station communication interface

European & Other Standards 🇪🇺

  • EN 17127 – Safety, operation, and performance of refuelling stations
  • EN 17124 – Hydrogen fuel specification and quality assurance
  • NFPA 2 – Hydrogen technologies code and fire safety
  • GTR 13 – Global Technical Regulation for hydrogen vehicle safety

Project Lifecycle & Standards Overview

Hydrogen Project Phases and Standards Flowchart

This flowchart illustrates the key project phases and their associated standards and requirements in hydrogen infrastructure development.

Global Regulation Snapshot

Choose a region on the map to explore specific regulations and standards, or scroll down to browse all regions.

Key Authorities

  • Department of Energy (DOE)
  • NFPA
  • ASME

Focus Areas

  • Safety codes and standards
  • Infrastructure development
  • Clean hydrogen hubs
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Key Authorities

  • European Commission
  • CEN/CENELEC
  • ISO/TC 197

Focus Areas

  • Green hydrogen certification
  • Cross-border infrastructure
  • Renewable energy integration
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Key Authorities

  • METI
  • NEDO
  • High Pressure Gas Safety Act

Focus Areas

  • Hydrogen society development
  • Fuel cell technology
  • International supply chains
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Key Authorities

  • Standards Australia
  • ARENA
  • Clean Energy Regulator

Focus Areas

  • Export infrastructure
  • Renewable hydrogen
  • Safety standards development
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Key Authorities

  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
  • British Standards Institution (BSI)

Focus Areas

  • Industrial decarbonization clusters
  • Blue and green hydrogen production
  • Hydrogen for home heating trials
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Key Authorities

  • Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE)
  • Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS)
  • H2Korea

Focus Areas

  • Fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure
  • Hydrogen cities development
  • International supply chain partnerships
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Key Authorities

  • Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
  • NOW GmbH (National Organization for Hydrogen)
  • DIN (German Institute for Standardization)

Focus Areas

  • Industrial sector decarbonization
  • International hydrogen partnerships
  • Transport and storage infrastructure
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Key Authorities

  • Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME)
  • National Energy Policy Council (CNPE)
  • Brazilian Association of Industrial Hydrogen (ABHI)

Focus Areas

  • Green hydrogen production from renewable sources
  • Port infrastructure for hydrogen export
  • Integration with bioethanol industry
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Key Authorities

  • Ministry of Energy
  • Chilean Energy Commission (CNE)
  • Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO)

Focus Areas

  • Solar-powered green hydrogen production
  • Export infrastructure development
  • Mining industry decarbonization
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Key Authorities

  • Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
  • Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN)
  • Port of Rotterdam Authority

Focus Areas

  • Port and import infrastructure
  • North Sea offshore hydrogen production
  • European hydrogen hub development
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Key Authorities

  • Ministry of Energy
  • Saudi Aramco
  • NEOM Green Hydrogen Company

Focus Areas

  • Large-scale green hydrogen production
  • Ammonia export infrastructure
  • Solar-powered hydrogen facilities
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Key Authorities

  • Ministry for the Ecological Transition
  • Spanish Hydrogen Association (AeH2)
  • Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT)

Focus Areas

  • Renewable hydrogen production hubs
  • Industrial sector decarbonization
  • Mediterranean hydrogen corridor
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Key Hydrogen Standards

Safety Standards

  • ISO/TR 15916:2015 – Basic considerations for the safety of hydrogen systems
  • ISO 19880-1:2020 – Gaseous hydrogen fueling stations
  • NFPA 2 – Hydrogen Technologies Code

Quality Standards

  • ISO 14687:2019 – Hydrogen fuel quality specifications
  • ISO 19880-8:2019 – Fuel quality control
  • SAE J2719 – Hydrogen fuel quality for fuel cell vehicles

Infrastructure Standards

  • ISO 19884:2018 – Gaseous hydrogen — Cylinders and tubes
  • ASME B31.12 – Hydrogen piping and pipelines
  • ISO 17268:2020 – Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refueling connection devices