Questions and answers on restrictions - ECHA - Europa

ammonium nitrate in order to produce mixtures containing more than 16% of nitrogen
in relation to ammonium nitrate for supply to the general public, for example, in cold
packs.
If a downstream user uses ammonium nitrate to produce a mixture containing ammonium
nitrate below the threshold, it may place this mixture on the market for supply the general
public.
But downstream users should not use ammonium nitrate in order to produce a mixture
containing ammonium nitrate above the threshold for supply to the general public.
The restriction is applicable to medical devices as well as to other mixtures containing more
than 16% of nitrogen in relation to ammonium nitrate for supply to the general public. For
example, instant cold packs which contain more than 16% of nitrogen in relation to ammonium
nitrate may not be sold to the general public since 27 June 2010.
c) Operators have raised the question as to whether downstream users could acquire
ammonium nitrate in order to produce mixtures containing more than 16% of nitrogen
in relation to ammonium nitrate for their industrial or professional activities.
The restriction is not applicable to downstream users who use ammonium nitrate for their
industrial or professional activities in order to transform it into other substances for different
purposes.
Therefore, for example the use of ammonium nitrate to produce nitrous oxide for use in the
production of pressurised foods or for use as anaesthetics is not restricted.