Hydrogen Safety in Ukraine: Regulations and Legislation

The regulatory framework for hydrogen in Ukraine is fragmented, and a single legal act has yet to regulate hydrogen. Existing laws on energy, transport, and movement of gasses apply to hydrogen projects.

Regulation on hydrogen production

General requirements apply to hydrogen as a “chemical substance”. The production of hydrogen does not require the obtaining of a respective licence.

There is a general requirement to obtain a licence to produce hydrogen from household or hazardous waste or to generate electricity from hydrogen. It may also be required to use hydrogen storage to balance Ukraine‘s energy system.

The production of hydrogen as “chemical production” will likely require the undertaking of an environmental impact assessment and compliance with its conditions.

Electrolysing facilities are required to obtain a special permit for water usage, as they will most likely be withdrawing water from water sources, using the water, and potentially discharging polluting substances back into the water sources. 

When using biomass for the creation of hydrogen, the respective facilities will also be subject to either submitting a declaration of waste or obtaining a permit for performing operations in the sphere of waste treatment.

The operation of hydrogen production facilities may also require obtaining air pollution permits and compliance with thresholds for air pollution.

Specific legislation

General usage of hydrogen in various technological processes is subject to the technical regulations applicable to:

• equipment and protective systems intended for use in a potentially explosive environment;
• pressure running equipment;
• simple high-pressure vessels;
• water heating boilers running on liquid or gaseous fuels;
• gaseous fuel devices;
• mobile pressure equipment.

Furthermore, in Ukraine, in 2020, the technical committee for standardisation of TC 197 “Hydrogen Technologies” was established, which operates in hydrogen technologies by the adopted international classification of standardisation.

Because hydrogen technologies cover various industries, the technical committee also coordinates the activities of national technical committees.