Commission seeks views on the monitoring and control of drug precursors

Today, the European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views on the monitoring and control of drug precursors. Drug precursors are chemical substances that could be diverted to produce drugs.

All interested stakeholders can share their views on the Commission’s Have your Say portal until 10 July 2024.

Drugs trade is one of the most significant security threats faced by the EU today and the situation is escalating. The size of this threat and its worldwide reach, as well as its negative effect on society - such as addiction and violence, calls for strong and sustainable, lean, and effective action at EU and at global level. For this reason, the EU has made the fight against drug-trafficking and organised crime a top priority. As part of the EU’s zero-tolerance vision on drugs and as highlighted in the call for evidence published in May 2023, the diversion of trade in drug precursors – must be addressed.

In line with the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, there are strict rules to control the legitimate trade of precursors within the single market and at the EU borders. Nonetheless, these chemicals continue to be diverted towards the illicit production of drugs. In addition, criminals circumvent existing rules by tweaking substances, creating so-called designer precursors with no known licit use.

With this public consultation the Commission aims to identify possible solutions to prevent the diversion of drug precursors, while reducing unnecessary obstacles to legitimate trade. Following this, the Commission may present an initiative for revised EU drug precursors rules - as indicated in the EU roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime.