The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and Chungcheongbuk-do announced on Sunday that Korea has, for the first time, verified the safety of ammonia-based hydrogen production and utilization facilities through a demonstration project in the Chungbuk Green Hydrogen Regulation-Free Special Zone. The successful results have prompted revisions to national safety standards governing hydrogen-extraction systems.
 
With the updated rules, hydrogen can now be legally produced through ammonia thermal cracking. This change opens the door to safer and more practical use of ammonia – a substance increasingly viewed worldwide as a promising carrier for clean hydrogen. The revision also strengthens Korea’s technological credibility in securing reliable, scalable clean-hydrogen supply.
 
Previously, hydrogen-extraction equipment was allowed to use only hydrocarbon fuels such as city gas or LPG. Because ammonia was not recognized under the regulations, Korea had no legal pathway to extract hydrogen from it, despite its clear environmental potential.
 
To close this regulatory gap, the Chungbuk Regulation-Free Special Zone completed construction of the country’s first ammonia-based hydrogen production and utilization facility in September 2024. Through recent demonstration testing, the technology was shown to be both safe and reliable.  
 
Drawing on these findings, the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, together with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, moved to revise the national standard KGS AH-171: Facilities, Technology, and Inspection Requirements for Hydrogen Extraction Equipment. Following multiple expert consultations, the standard has now been formally updated to include ammonia as an approved feedstock.
 
Summary of the Amended Safety Standard

1. 1. Legal Basis: Articles 36 and 44 under Hydrogen Economy Promotion and Hydrogen Safety Management Act; Article 48 under Enforcement Decree
2. 2. Standard: KGS AH-171 (Facilities, Technology, and Inspection Standards for Hydrogen Extraction Equipment)

Revision Date: 28 November 2025
Key Revisions
   -  Expands the scope of permitted hydrogen-extraction systems to include those using ammonia as a feedstock
   -  Establishes new requirements for materials, structural design, equipment, and performance when handling toxic gases such as ammonia
   -  Previous scope: City gas, LPG, hydrocarbons, methanol, ethanol and other alcohol-based fuels
   -  Revised scope: All previous fuels plus ammonia-based hydrogen-extraction systems
 
This milestone was made possible through close collaboration among MSS, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Chungcheongbuk-do, and the city of Chungju. The development of a modular ammonia-based hydrogen production process, together with the establishment of corresponding safety standards, represents a first for Korea and an important step toward expanding its clean-energy portfolio.