About precursor chemicals legislation
What is the international law for precursor chemicals?
The United Nations (UN) Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, adopted in Vienna on the 19th of December 1988, forms the basis of the law for precursor chemicals around the world.
Article 12 of this convention requires that appropriate measures are taken to stop the diversion of substances which are used in the illegal manufacture of narcotic and psychotropic substances. Article 12 also calls for co-operation and communication between the countries that are party to this convention.
The International Narcotics Control Board(INCB) implements the UN drug control conventions around the world. They monitor government controls on precursor chemicals and other chemicals that are used in the illicit manufacture of controlled drugs. They help to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals into the illicit traffic.
What is the European Union law for precursor chemicals?
The European Union implements the 1988 UN Convention through the regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council.
These regulations describe the procedures, working arrangements and limits for economic operators trading in precursor chemicals. It includes:
- Rules for obtaining and checking licences and registrations.
- Statutory reporting obligations.
- Import and export procedures.
- The identification of anomalies or irregularities.
The European Commission's webpage on Precursor Chemicals contains the full text of the legislation listed in the tables below.
Council Regulations
| Legislation | Scope |
| Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of 11 February 2004 | This regulates trade in precursor chemicals between the European Union member states. |
| Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 of 22 December 2004 | This regulates trade in precursor chemicals between the European Union and third countries. |
The Council Regulations have been implemented and amended by several regulations. These are listed in the table below.
Regulations that supplement the Council Regulations
| Legislation | Scope |
| Commision Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2023/196 of 25 November 2022 | Amends Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 to include new drug precursors in the list of scheduled substances. |
| Commision Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2022/1518 of 29 March 2022 | Amends Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 111//2005 to include new drug precursors in the list of scheduled substances. |
| Commision Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2020/1737 of 14 July 2020 | Amends Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 111//2005 to include new drug precursors in the list of scheduled substances. |
| Commision Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/729 of 26 February 2018 | Amends Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 to include new drug precursors in the list of scheduled substances. |
| Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1443 of 29 June 2016 | Amends Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 to include new drug precursors in the list of scheduled substances. |
| Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 2015/1013 of 25 June 2015 | Lays down rules for Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and for Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005. |
| Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2015/1011 of 24 April 2015 | Supplements Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005, and repeals Commission Regulation (EC) No 1277/2005. |
| Regulation (EU) No. 1259/2013 of 20 November 2013 | Amends Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the Union and third countries in drug precursors. |
| Regulation (EU) No. 1258/2013 of 20 November 2013 | Amends numerous articles in Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 on drug precursors. |
What is the law in Ireland for precursor chemicals?
The European legislation for precursor chemicals is implemented in Ireland by the European Communities (Control of Drug Precursors) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No 558/2009) (as amended).
| Legislation | Scope |
| S.I. No. 558/2009 – European Communities (Control of Drug Precursors) Regulations 2009 | Implementing provisions for both Regulation (EC) No. 273/2004 (as amended) and Council Regulation (EC) No. 111/2005 (as amended) |
| S.I. No. 555/2022 – European Communities (Control of Drug Precursors) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 | Amends S.I. No. 558/2009 to take into account the replacement of Regulation (EC) No. 1277/2005 of 26 July 2005 with Commision Regulation (EU) 2015/1011 of 24 April 2015 and Commision Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1013 of 25 June 2015 |