diff --git a/definitions/grib2/parameters.def b/definitions/grib2/parameters.def
index a468f3c5a..b0f39fe15 100644
--- a/definitions/grib2/parameters.def
+++ b/definitions/grib2/parameters.def
@@ -43,16 +43,18 @@ else {
   alias cfVarName=cfVarNameFallback;
 }
 
-concept chemId (unknown,"chemId.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,long_type,dump;
-concept chemName (unknown,"chemName.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,dump;
-concept chemShortName (unknown,"chemShortName.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,dump;
-concept chemFormula (unknown,"chemFormula.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,dump;
+if (tablesVersion >= 31 ) {
+  concept chemId (zero,"chemId.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,long_type,dump;
+  concept chemName (unknown,"chemName.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,dump;
+  concept chemShortName (unknown,"chemShortName.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,dump;
+  concept chemFormula (unknown,"chemFormula.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,dump;
 
-if ( !(chemId is "unknown") ) {
- alias mars.chem = chemId;
- alias parameter.chemId = chemId;
- alias ls.chemShortName = chemShortName;
- alias parameter.chemShortName = chemShortName;
+  if ( !(chemId is "unknown") ) {
+    alias mars.chem = chemId;
+    alias parameter.chemId = chemId;
+    alias ls.chemShortName = chemShortName;
+    alias parameter.chemShortName = chemShortName;
+  }
 }
 
 concept srcSinkId (unknown,"srcSinkId.def",conceptsDir2,conceptsDir1): no_copy,long_type,dump;
diff --git a/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index 0169e4986..faa588a6b 100644
--- a/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ if( HAVE_BUILD_TOOLS )
         grib_grid_polar_stereographic
         grib_grid_healpix
         grib_g1day_of_the_year_date
+        grib_paramid_chemid_split
     )
 
     # These tests require data downloads
diff --git a/tests/grib_ecc-1212.sh b/tests/grib_ecc-1212.sh
index 7ff7c2ead..d2454d2b2 100755
--- a/tests/grib_ecc-1212.sh
+++ b/tests/grib_ecc-1212.sh
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ cat > $tempRef <<EOF
     "class": "od",
     "type": "an",
     "stream": "oper",
+    "paramtype": "base",
     "levtype": "sfc",
     "date": 20200804,
     "time": "0000",
diff --git a/tests/grib_local.sh b/tests/grib_local.sh
index 62b1b27e4..88ed6c77b 100755
--- a/tests/grib_local.sh
+++ b/tests/grib_local.sh
@@ -217,8 +217,10 @@ ${tools_dir}/grib_compare $temp $temp.1
 ${tools_dir}/grib_set -s paramId=211123,setLocalDefinition=1,localDefinitionNumber=36 $sample_g2 $temp
 grib_check_key_equals $temp productDefinitionTemplateNumber 40
 
-${tools_dir}/grib_set -s paramId=456000,setLocalDefinition=1,localDefinitionNumber=36 $sample_g2 $temp
-grib_check_key_equals $temp productDefinitionTemplateNumber 76
+# Automatic PDT selection is disabled for some parameters (the key is_chemical_srcsink removed from their definition)
+# ${tools_dir}/grib_set -s paramId=456000,setLocalDefinition=1,localDefinitionNumber=36 $sample_g2 $temp
+${tools_dir}/grib_set -s productDefinitionTemplateNumber=76,paramId=456000,setLocalDefinition=1,localDefinitionNumber=36 $sample_g2 $temp
+grib_check_key_equals $temp chemShortName,chemId 'O3 236'
 
 ${tools_dir}/grib_set -s paramId=215225,setLocalDefinition=1,localDefinitionNumber=36 $sample_g2 $temp
 grib_check_key_equals $temp productDefinitionTemplateNumber 48
diff --git a/tests/grib_mars_keys1.sh b/tests/grib_mars_keys1.sh
index 29b6b841a..bd56103c3 100755
--- a/tests/grib_mars_keys1.sh
+++ b/tests/grib_mars_keys1.sh
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ cat > $tempRef << EOF
     "class": "od",
     "type": "an",
     "stream": "oper",
+    "paramtype": "base",
     "step": 0,
     "levelist": 1000,
     "levtype": "pl",
@@ -73,6 +74,7 @@ cat > $tempRef << EOF
     "class": "od",
     "type": "pf",
     "stream": "enfo",
+    "paramtype": "base",
     "step": 0,
     "levelist": 1000,
     "levtype": "pl",
diff --git a/tests/grib_paramid_chemid_split.sh b/tests/grib_paramid_chemid_split.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..aff0aca2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/grib_paramid_chemid_split.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# (C) Copyright 2005- ECMWF.
+#
+# This software is licensed under the terms of the Apache Licence Version 2.0
+# which can be obtained at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.
+# 
+# In applying this licence, ECMWF does not waive the privileges and immunities granted to it by
+# virtue of its status as an intergovernmental organisation nor does it submit to any jurisdiction.
+#
+
+. ./include.ctest.sh
+
+label="grib_paramid_chemid_split_test"
+tempGribA=temp1.$label.grib
+tempGribB=temp2.$label.grib
+
+sample_grib2=$ECCODES_SAMPLES_PATH/GRIB2.tmpl
+
+# Legacy using older tablesVersion
+# We expect paramId 210121
+${tools_dir}/grib_set -s productDefinitionTemplateNumber=40,discipline=0,parameterCategory=20,parameterNumber=2,constituentType=5 \
+            $sample_grib2  $tempGribA
+grib_check_key_equals $tempGribA tablesVersion 4
+grib_check_key_equals $tempGribA paramId,is_chemical "210121 1"
+# The new keys should not be present
+result=$( ${tools_dir}/grib_get -f -p chemName,chemId $tempGribA )
+[ "$result" = "not_found not_found" ]
+
+
+# Switch to the newer tablesVersion so now the chemId/paramId split is activated
+# Now expect paramId 402000 and chemId 17
+${tools_dir}/grib_set -s tablesVersion=32 $tempGribA $tempGribB
+
+grib_check_key_equals $tempGribB paramId,chemId "402000 17"
+grib_check_key_equals $tempGribB chemName "Nitrogen dioxide"
+grib_check_key_equals $tempGribB name "Mass mixing ratio"
+
+# The is_chemical key should not be present
+result=$( ${tools_dir}/grib_get -f -p is_chemical $tempGribB )
+[ "$result" = "not_found" ]
+
+
+# Test non-chemical e.g. temperature. Now chem keys are present but unknown
+${tools_dir}/grib_set -s tablesVersion=32,discipline=0,parameterCategory=0,parameterNumber=0 $sample_grib2  $tempGribA
+grib_check_key_equals $tempGribA "chemId,chemName,chemShortName" "0 unknown unknown"
+
+
+# Clean up
+rm -f $tempGribA $tempGribB