Precursors of mephedrone, clophedrone, and amphetamine, including one used in the antidepressant bupropion, move to the strictest EU control category from 18 September 2026, requiring import and export authorisations.
Nine chemical precursors of synthetic cathinones and amphetamine are transferred into Category 1 of the EU’s drug precursors schedules under Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005, effective from 18 September 2026. Category 1 is the highest control tier, requiring operators to hold licences and, for cross-border trade, import and export authorisations. The measure was adopted by the Commission on 9 February 2026 and published in today’s Official Journal.
The nine substances targeted are: 3-chloropropiophenone, 2-bromo-3-chloropropiophenone, 3-methylpropiophenone, 2-bromo-3-methylpropiophenone, 4-methylpropiophenone, 2-bromo-4-methylpropiophenone, 4-chloropropiophenone, 2-bromo-4-chloropropiophenone, and phenyl-2-nitropropene. The first eight are precursors of four synthetic cathinone stimulants — 3-CMC, 3-MMC, 4-CMC, and 4-MMC (mephedrone) — all already under European control as scheduled drugs. Phenyl-2-nitropropene is a precursor of amphetamine.
The European Drugs Agency (EUDA) assessed all nine and found that seizure volumes had increased significantly across Member States, and that the substances can be used to produce controlled drugs through straightforward, scalable methods requiring only basic equipment. The EUDA also confirmed, however, that several have legitimate pharmaceutical uses: 3-chloropropiophenone and 2-bromo-3-chloropropiophenone are intermediates in the manufacture of bupropion, authorised for the treatment of depression and as a smoking cessation aid. 4-methylpropiophenone is used in production of tolperisone, a muscle relaxant. All nine have uses as reference standards in analytical laboratories.
The deferred application date (18 September 2026) approximately five months after publication is designed to give pharmaceutical manufacturers and laboratory operators time to obtain the authorisations and licences required under the scheduled substances framework before the stricter regime kicks in. Operators relying on any of the nine substances in licit production or testing workflows should initiate that process immediately, as authorisation timelines under Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 can be substantial.
The regulation also clarifies that from the date of entry into force, the nine substances are to be treated as ‘precursors’ within the meaning of Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA, which defines minimum elements of criminal offences for drug trafficking, broadening the scope of relevant enforcement provisions.
