India and UK Join Forces to Develop Global Standards for Green Hydrogen

India and the United Kingdom have taken another significant step toward strengthening cooperation in the rapidly emerging green hydrogen sector. The India–UK Conference on Green Hydrogen Standards and Safety Protocols was held on 27 February 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together key stakeholders from both countries to discuss safety frameworks, regulatory standards and technical best practices required for scaling up green hydrogen technologies.

The conference brought together representatives from government agencies, industry leaders, academic institutions, standards organisations, testing laboratories, research bodies and regulatory authorities from both nations. The primary goal of the event was to enhance cooperation in ensuring the safe development, deployment and use of green hydrogen, particularly under India’s ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Green hydrogen is widely regarded as a crucial component in global decarbonisation strategies. As countries accelerate the transition to clean energy, developing strong standards, safety frameworks and regulatory systems has become essential for the large-scale adoption of hydrogen technologies.

Organisers and Partners of the Conference

Role of National Centre for Hydrogen Safety

The conference was organised by the National Centre for Hydrogen Safety (NCHS), which operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The centre was established to support the implementation of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, a flagship initiative aimed at making India a major global hub for green hydrogen production and export.

Collaboration with UK Institutions

The event was organised in collaboration with:

• The British High Commission in India

• WRI India (World Resources Institute India)

Together, these institutions facilitated discussions focused on strengthening international cooperation on hydrogen safety standards, regulatory mechanisms and technology deployment.

The discussions covered the entire hydrogen value chain, including:

• Production of green hydrogen

• Storage systems

• Transportation infrastructure

• Industrial and mobility applications

Inaugural Session Highlights

Opening Remarks by Key Officials

The conference began with opening remarks from Mohammad Rihan, Director General of the National Institute of Solar Energy, who set the context for the discussions by highlighting the importance of safety standards for the emerging hydrogen economy.

Special Addresses from Government and Diplomatic Representatives

The inaugural session also featured special addresses from senior officials and international representatives, including:

• Abhay Bakre, Mission Director, National Green Hydrogen Mission, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

• Jinoos Shariati, First Secretary (Trade), British High Commission in India

• Anjan Kumar Mishra, Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board

• Laura Aylett, First Secretary (Climate & Energy), British High Commission in India

The speakers emphasised the need for global collaboration to ensure that hydrogen technologies are deployed safely while supporting the transition to clean energy.

Keynote Address Highlights the Need for Global Safety Standards

Importance of Regulatory Frameworks and Safety Protocols

Delivering the keynote address, Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, stressed the need for strong regulatory frameworks and international cooperation.

He highlighted that developing robust safety systems, harmonised standards and global collaboration will be crucial to enable the large-scale adoption of hydrogen technologies.

Experts widely agree that as hydrogen production and applications expand worldwide, uniform safety regulations and international standards will play a critical role in reducing risks and enabling cross-border hydrogen trade.

Participation of National Regulators and Standards Bodies

Regulatory Insights on Hydrogen Safety

One of the major highlights of the conference was the participation of national regulators responsible for developing safety guidelines and technical standards.

Role of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)

Officials from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) shared insights on regulatory requirements related to hydrogen systems. Their presentation focused on:

• Safety compliance frameworks

• Risk assessment processes

• Hazard identification and management for hydrogen infrastructure

Hydrogen is highly flammable and requires specialised handling procedures, making strict regulatory oversight essential for safe deployment.

Bureau of Indian Standards on Hydrogen Standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) also presented updates on the development of hydrogen-related standards in India.

Officials discussed ongoing efforts to align Indian standards with international best practices, ensuring compatibility with global hydrogen markets and technologies.

Technical Sessions Focus on Hydrogen Value Chain Safety

Industry and Research Experts Share Best Practices

The conference featured multiple technical sessions involving experts from leading industry organisations, academic institutions and research laboratories.

Key Organisations Participating

Speakers and experts came from institutions including:

• Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers

• NTPC Limited

• Automotive Research Association of India

• Cochin Shipyard Limited

• Arup

• Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board

• CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory

• Cochin University of Science and Technology

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Key Topics Discussed

The technical sessions covered a wide range of topics related to safety across the hydrogen value chain, including:

• Safety practices in hydrogen end-use applications

• Safe design and operation of hydrogen production facilities

• Storage and transportation safety measures

• Risk assessment methodologies

• Lessons from global incident case studies

Emerging Technologies for Hydrogen Safety

Role of AI and Advanced Sensors

Experts also discussed emerging technological innovations that can enhance hydrogen safety.

Monitoring Systems and Smart Technologies

New developments in advanced sensor technologies and AI-enabled monitoring systems are expected to improve safety in hydrogen infrastructure by enabling real-time monitoring and early detection of potential risks.

Such technologies can help identify gas leaks, pressure fluctuations and operational anomalies before they escalate into safety hazards.

These innovations are expected to become increasingly important as hydrogen production and use expand globally.

India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission

India’s Strategy to Become a Global Hydrogen Hub

India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023 with the goal of becoming a major producer, consumer and exporter of green hydrogen.

The mission aims to:

• Develop 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen production capacity annually by 2030

• Reduce carbon emissions in hard-to-abate sectors

• Strengthen India’s energy security

• Position India as a global hub for hydrogen technology

International collaboration with countries like the United Kingdom plays a vital role in achieving these objectives.

Conclusion

The India–UK Conference on Green Hydrogen Standards and Safety Protocols marked an important step in strengthening international cooperation on the safe development of hydrogen technologies.

By bringing together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and researchers, the conference provided a platform to discuss global standards, regulatory frameworks and technological innovations needed to support the hydrogen economy.

The conference concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen collaboration between India and the UK on developing robust standards, regulatory frameworks, and safety protocols to support the safe and large-scale deployment of green hydrogen technologies.

The deliberations are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to build a comprehensive safety ecosystem and facilitate the growth of a reliable and globally competitive green hydrogen sector in India.

As global demand for clean energy solutions continues to grow, such partnerships will play a crucial role in ensuring that green hydrogen becomes a safe, scalable and sustainable component of the global energy transition.