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:

A 45-day Comment Period is now open on the proposed amendments to the 2017 Code Protocols. You are invited to review the revised protocols and submit comments before March 15, 2021.

Proposed revisions to the 2017 Code include the following:

• All previously “scored” items are now mandatory meaning all protocols in the Code must be satisfied for certification/recertification. 
• Amendments relating to
  • capacity expansion of grandfathered or encroached sites
  • site security
  • safety and emergency equipment and procedures
  • regulatory requirement changes since 2017
• Additional guidance provided to compliance auditors and identification of Industry Best Practices, where appropriate
• Updates to language throughout the code to improve clarity and consistency

To assist you in your review and submission of comments several additional documents are available:

• 2022 Anhydrous Ammonia Code of Practice – DRAFT
• 2022 Anhydrous Ammonia Code of Practice, Detailed Revisions
• A summary matrix identifying substantive changes from the 2017 Code
• An on-line Comment Form

Anhydrous Ammonia Code Audit

Code of Practice

Other Resources

Regulatory Updates

Important Updates

• November 12, 2020: BULLETIN #05-2020 Pressure Testing for Mobile Ammonia Tanks Frequency
• September 9, 2020: BULLETIN #04-2020 Interpretation of Protocols A4.1, C8.4 & C16.4 for Producers Certified Ammonia Sites
• April 24, 2020: BULLETIN #03-2020 Emergency Equipment & Response Clarifications for Protocol B8 & D8.2
• January 31, 2020: BULLETIN #02-2020  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:  BULLETIN # 01-2020 Clarification on Requirements Under Protocol D7.4: Respiratory Protection Training (Including Fit Testing)
• November 14, 2019: BULLETIN # 06-2019 Ammonia Code Occupancy definition and overnight accommodation
• October 10, 2019: BULLETIN # 05-2019 Ammonia Code of Practice PPE and A4.1 site security clarification
• August 1, 2019: BULLETIN # 04-2019 Environmental Emergency Regulations, 2019 come into force August 24, 2019
• May 31, 2019: BULLETIN # 03-2019 Clarification on Product Transfer at non-certified sites
• April 2, 2019: BULLETIN # 02-2019 Protocol B2.6, Amendment to Standpipes on Safety Relief Valves (effective immediately) 
• October 4, 2018: BULLETIN #04-2018 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: BULLETIN # 03-2018 Regulatory Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• June 19, 2018: BULLETIN # 02-2018 Protocol B8.6, Amendment to Safety Shower or Emergency Water Troughs First Aid Symbol (effective immediately)
• July 10, 2017: BULLETIN # 03-2017A A7.3 Clarification, No Smoking and No Open Flames Statement Requirement
  • TB 03-2017_Ammoniac_Protocole A7.3 juillet 2017_FR
• April 25, 2016: BULLETIN # 02-2016 Coming into force January 1, 2017: Section A1.2 – Pull Away Protection
• September 7, 2016: BULLETIN # 03-2016 Implementation Guide Section C10.5 – Pull-Away Protection Technology Clarification