Key chemical safety considerations for energy transition technology

The deployment of energy transition technologies is reshaping chemical accident risk profiles as countries adopt strategies to reduce carbon emissions and diversify energy sources that can be produced and used with low or zero carbon emissions, such as hydrogen and ammonia. While these and other technologies are essential for decarbonisation, their expanded uses introduce new safety risks due to the hazardous chemicals involved. This policy brief draws on discussions from a joint OECD and European Commission Joint Research Centre webinar series held between 2023 and 2025, which brought together regulators, industry and experts to exchange knowledge on hydrogen fuel risks and risks from ammonia as an energy carrier. It highlights key chemical safety considerations and emerging risks.