The European Commission has taken a major step to introduce EU-wide controls on nine high-risk precursor chemicals used in illicit drug production via new legislation published this week. The Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/314 (1) builds on the findings of the first EU-level precursor assessments carried out by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) in 2025 (see news item).
Eight of the precursors in question are linked to the production of four synthetic cathinones (3-CMC, 3-MMC, 4-CMC, 4-MMC), while one substance (phenyl-2-nitropropene) is used in amphetamine production.
The regulation will apply from 18 September 2026, with a four-month transition period for industry to adapt to the new requirements. It comes as illicit drug production continues to expand within the EU, particularly of synthetic stimulants such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and synthetic cathinones. In 2023, 53 synthetic cathinone production sites, some of which were large-scale, were dismantled in the EU, with the majority located in Poland.
The EUDA’s expanded competence in the area of drug precursors entered into force in July 2024. Under the EUDA regulation (Article 14), the agency supports the European Commission and Member States by monitoring precursors used in the production of both controlled illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS).
Precursor assessments provide evidence on how these chemicals are used, trafficked and distributed and explore the potential impact of chemical, pharmaceutical and research sectors. They are intended to support a consistent EU‑wide understanding of precursor‑related risks and to provide a scientific basis for regulatory and policy decisions at EU level, particularly in relation to scheduling and control measures.
Drug precursors are substances essential to the manufacture of synthetic drugs such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and synthetic cathinones, and to the processing of cocaine and heroin. Effective regulation of these chemicals that may be exploited for illicit drug manufacture is essential for early detection of emerging risks and for preventing the diversion of these substances into illicit supply chains.
