Requirements for operators and end users

You must appoint a responsible officer for trade in precursor chemicals if you are:

• An operator applying for a licence for category 1 precursor chemicals.
• An operator applying for a registration for category 2 precursor chemicals.

We strongly encourage appointing a responsible officer for category 3 and 4 precursor chemicals.

The responsible officer must have appropriate experience and knowledge of the legislation, the licence/registration conditions, and the company's quality system.

You must provide us with the responsible officer's name and contact details and you must notify us of any changes to this information.

A responsible officer must ensure that:

1. Trade complies with the legislation.
2. Relevant information is communicated to the HPRA e.g. annual reporting and disclosure of suspicious transactions.
3. Staff are appropriately trained and educated.
4. A quality management system is in place to comply with the legislation.

The procedures for the quality management system must cover but are not restricted to:

• Identification and notification of suspicious transactions,
• Customer declarations,
• Licencing and registration,
• Import and export authorisations,
• Documentation and labelling,
• Audit and record keeping,
• Security measures,
• Annual reporting, and
• Staff training.

You can find application forms for licences and registration of precursor chemicals on our dedicated page.

You can find application forms for import and export authorisations for precursor chemicals on our dedicated page.

If you are supplying a customer in the EU with a Category 1 or 2 precursor chemical, you must get a declaration from that customer. This declaration must show how the precursor chemical will be used. You need a separate declaration for each precursor chemical.

If you regularly supply a customer with Category 2 precursor chemicals, you can accept a single declaration that covers multiple transactions with the same precursor chemical over a period of one year. This is only allowed if certain criteria are met. The criteria are set out in Regulation (EC) No. 273/2004 (as amended).

The requirements for documentation and labelling are set out in Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 (as amended) and Regulations (EC) No. 111/2005 (as amended).

You must maintain records for three years for internal EU trade of Category 1 and 2 precursor chemicals.

You must maintain records for three years for EU and third country trade of Category 1, 2, and 3 precursor chemicals.

You must annually provide us with information on precursor chemicals transactions and usage using our report form below.

We annually report on Irish imports, exports, and legal uses of precursor chemicals to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

You can download a copy of the Annual Statistics on Stocks of Scheduled Substances report form below on this page.

You must have restricted and controlled access to the area and appropriate alarms and/or CCTV in place.

You must complete a report form for the theft or unaccounted loss of precursor chemicals. A copy of this report form can be found below on this page.

You must immediately notify us of any suspicious circumstances. For example, transactions involving precursor chemicals which suggest that the chemicals might be being diverted for the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.