Anhydrous Ammonia

Anhydrous ammonia is a highly effective fertilizer that helps farmers feed our growing population and replenish nutrients in the soil. As a fertilizer, it provides essential nitrogen for plants and is imperative that proper precautions are taken to ensure that it is handled correctly.

All anhydrous ammonia agri-retail sites in Canada must be fully compliant with the standards outlined in the Ammonia Code of Practice. The Code applies to agricultural ammonia including road and rail transportation, storage and handling of products. It outlines best practices applicable to the distribution, storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia to ensure safety and security.

45-Day Comment Period for the Ammonia Code of Practice Proposed Site Security Amendment

Proposed Amendments to the Ammonia Code of Practice Security for Anhydrous Ammonia Storage and Handling Operations

Protocol A4.1 outlines a number of acceptable measures to prevent the unauthorized access to anhydrous ammonia while in retail storage. The proposed amendment would require the mandatory installation and use of fencing measures and forgoing the options of valve and tank securement or other physical means of security. All newly construction sites after January 1, 2019 must include fencing while currently certified sites must install fencing by January 1, 2021.

As a Fertilizer Canada member and/or stakeholder, your feedback is important to us. Fertilizer Canada is committed to providing a robust Code and will continue to work with the fertilizer industry to maintain our social license to operate, keeping employees, farmers and the public safe.

Submission deadline has closed – updates will follow accordingly. 

Full memo here.

View the Anhydrous Ammonia Code of Practice Proposal – Amendment to Protocol A4.1 here.

Anhydrous Ammonia Code Audit

Code of Practice

Other Resources

Regulatory Updates

Important Updates

• January 31, 2020: Updates to Strengthen the Ammonia Code of Practice Enforcement Policy: Introducing Fines for Incidences of Chronic Non-Compliance, Effective March 1, 2020
• January 31, 2020: Clarification on Requirements Under Protocol D7.4: Respiratory Protection Training (Including Fit Testing)
• November 14, 2019: Ammonia Code Occupancy definition and overnight accommodation
• October 10, 2019: Ammonia Code of Practice PPE and A4.1 site security clarification
• August 1, 2019: Environmental Emergency Regulations, 2019 come into force August 24, 2019
• May 31, 2019: Clarification on Product Transfer at non-certified sites
• April 2, 2019: Protocol B2.6, Amendment to Standpipes on Safety Relief Valves (effective immediately) 
• October 4, 2018: Protocol A4.1, Security for Anhydrous Ammonia Storage and Handling Operations, Coming into force January 1, 2019 for newly commissioned sites; and January 1, 2021 for existing certified sites
• August 13, 2018: Regulatory Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• June 19, 2018: Protocol B8.6, Amendment to Safety Shower or Emergency Water Troughs First Aid Symbol (effective immediately)
• July 10, 2017: A7.3 Clarification, No Smoking and No Open Flames Statement Requirement
  • TB 03-2017_Ammoniac_Protocole A7.3 juillet 2017_FR
• April 25, 2016: Coming into force January 1, 2017: Section A1.2 – Pull Away Protection
• September 7, 2016: Implementation Guide Section C10.5 – Pull-Away Protection Technology Clarification