Hydrogen Safety Enhanced: Static Pressure Vessel Rules Amended in 2025

Introduction: New Era for Pressure Vessel Regulations

With hydrogen emerging as a key clean energy carrier, ensuring its safe storage and transport has become a national priority. Recognizing this, the Government of India has notified significant updates to the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016, through the Static Pressure Vessel Rules Amendment Rules, 2025. The changes, officially published on June 27, 2025, focus on strengthening technical standards, hydrogen-specific design, and valve safety.

Let’s explore the major amendments and what they mean for manufacturers, suppliers, and transporters of compressed and cryogenic hydrogen.

1. Legal Basis and Notification

The rules were amended under powers conferred by Sections 5 and 7 of the Explosives Act, 1884. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued this notification after a 30-day public consultation, during which no objections or suggestions were received.

These changes are now in effect following their publication in the Gazette of India.

2. Expansion of Rule 13: Advanced Hydrogen Standards

Rule 13(1) has been expanded to include internationally recognized hydrogen standards. Specifically:

After AD:2000, the reference ASME BPV Section VIII Division 3 is added, enhancing pressure vessel design protocols.
For hydrogen storage and transport, the following ISO standards are mandated:
- ISO 17081: Measures hydrogen permeation and absorption in metals using electrochemical techniques.
- ISO 10587: Assesses embrittlement in coated and uncoated metal fasteners using the inclined wedge method.
- ISO 16573: Evaluates hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-strength steels via constant load tests.
- ISO 15330: Detects hydrogen embrittlement using preloading tests with parallel bearing surface methodology.

This shift mandates globally benchmarked engineering practices for hydrogen applications.

3. Rule 18(6): Cryogenic Valve Standards

A new sub-rule mandates that valves for cryogenic hydrogen pressure vessels must comply with:

ISO 21011, or
Any equivalent standard accepted by the Chief Controller

This ensures safe containment and release mechanisms for cryogenic hydrogen, critical for preventing leaks or catastrophic failures during storage and transport.

4. Rule 19(6): Fitness-for-Service Using API 579

Another key change introduces a proviso to Rule 19. For hydrogen vessels, their fitness for service must follow:

API 579 standards, and
Provisions under Rule 13 or any alternative standard approved by the Chief Controller of Explosives

This guarantees long-term structural integrity of hydrogen vessels under stress or corrosive conditions.

5. Rule 38(4): Transport Vessel Threads and Design

Hydrogen transport vessels must now also adhere to:

ISO 228-1 or
ISO 7-1, or
Any equivalent thread compatibility or design code accepted by the Chief Controller

This enhances thread design safety—a crucial factor in avoiding valve misfit or thread damage during use.

Why These Changes Matter

These amendments align Indian hydrogen storage and transport safety practices with global best practices. The revisions promote:

Hydrogen economy readiness
Safety in mobile and static hydrogen applications
Modernization of SMPV compliance frameworks
Use of ISO/API standards in engineering design

Conclusion: A Leap Toward a Safe Hydrogen Future

The SMPV (Amendment) Rules, 2025, reflect India’s commitment to adopting safe and future-ready hydrogen technologies. These comprehensive rule upgrades make it mandatory for manufacturers, designers, and transporters to meet rigorous international standards for hydrogen pressure vessels.

Industries working with hydrogen must now upgrade vessel designs, ensure compliant valve assemblies, and adopt globally recognized testing methods to remain legally and operationally viable. These changes will not only enhance safety but also enable India’s transition toward clean energy leadership.

Download: Static Pressure Vessel Rules Amended for Hydrogen Safety