Drug precursors: MEPs back tighter controls while protecting legitimate trade

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• Ban on chemicals designed to evade drug controls, with research exceptions
• Online marketplaces to verify sellers and remove non-compliant listings, with penalties for failing to comply
• Suspicious transactions and thefts involving unlisted drug precursors to be reported
• Research and innovation protected through exemptions and lower fees

On Wednesday, MEPs voted to strengthen controls on chemicals used to make illicit drugs, while protecting legitimate trade, research and innovation.

The draft rules, approved by the International Trade and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committees, by 85 to 4 and with 6 abstentions, are designed to prevent the exploitation of loopholes in the controls on drug precursors, which are used to manufacture illegal drugs (e.g. heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines).

Stronger monitoring and control

Building on the Commission’s proposed ban on designer precursors (artificial chemicals closely related to controlled substances and without any known legitimate use beyond research and innovation), MEPs want all suppliers of certain higher-risk chemicals to be subject to registration above certain quantities, rather than just those operating in external trade.

Online marketplaces would have to verify sellers’ authorisations before listing, require corrections, suspend non-compliant sellers or remove listings, and report unauthorised sellers, with penalties for non-compliance, the draft rules say.

The committees’ MEPs want suspicious transactions, significant disappearances and thefts involving unlisted precursors to be reported. They also seek common rules on infringements and penalties, with safeguards for minor administrative errors and circumstances beyond operators’ control.

Protecting research and legitimate trade

The MEPs agree that researchers, universities and businesses could continue using certain designer precursors for legitimate research and innovation, subject to notification or licensing. They also want lower licence fees for smaller businesses and possible waivers or substantial reductions for specified public-interest research bodies and laboratories.

Responding faster to new threats

The MEPs suggest giving EU countries the option to temporarily restrict emerging substances posing a serious or imminent threat to public health or safety while EU-level action is being considered. The Commission would assess within three months whether or not EU measures were needed.

Quotes

“Organised crime is flooding Europe with synthetic drugs and exploiting legal loopholes. This text finally gives member states efficient control mechanisms at source level, while protecting the competitiveness of our legitimate chemical industry”, said International Trade Committee rapporteur Nicolas BAY (ECR, FR).

The Civil Liberties Committee rapporteur Bartłomiej SIENKIEWICZ (EPP, PL) commented: “The task of restricting and facilitating at the same time may seem impossible. Yet this is precisely what the report aims to achieve: swiftly and effectively prevent drug precursors from being used in the illicit manufacture of drugs, while making legitimate trade easier for European businesses. The report updates, clarifies, and strengthens the rules to prevent and combat crime linked to the illicit trade in drug precursors. At this critical moment, these rules will boost EU capacity to address the growing threat posed by synthetic drugs.”

Next steps

The International Trade and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committees also decided by 88 votes to 4 and 5 abstentions to launch talks with the Council on the final shape of the legislation, if there are no objections raised during the 11-12 November plenary. Talks can begin once the Council has agreed its position.