The European Commission seeks to close loopholes in current legislation on drug precursors - legal chemicals contained in a wide range of products, including pharmaceuticals, perfumes and plastics, but which can also be illegally diverted to produce narcotics. It is proposed to reinforce the controls on specific chemicals, both within the Single Market and at the EU borders through Customs.

The European Commission proposed stronger controls on drug precursors used in heroin and methamphetamine production. The two new proposals will reinforce the controls on specific chemicals, both within the Single Market and at the EU borders through Customs. In doing so, the proposed rules can contribute to early stage prevention of illicit drug manufacturing, according to the Commission, which is an important pillar of the EU drug strategy. The EU announced to strengthen the rules in the fight against the psychoactive drugs in July 2011.

The first proposal strengthens Customs controls on two drug precursors, namely ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These chemicals are used to make flu and allergy medicines, but are also illegally exploited to produce methamphetamines (a.k.a. meth, ice, speed or crack). While ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are controlled both in the EU and internationally, the trade in medicinal products containing them is not. The Commission proposes that Customs authorities should be allowed to seize shipments of medicines containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine when there is reasonable suspicion that they are destined for illegal purposes.

The Commission also proposes to tight up the rules for companies within the EU using acetic anhydride, which is used in the manufacture of heroin. Under the new proposal, end-user companies using acetic anhydride in their industrial processes would have to register with the authorities. Finally, the proposal also aims to establish a European Database on Drug Precursors, to ensure more efficient data collection on seizures and stopped shipments, and have a list of EU licensed and registered businesses. The Commission says that these measures not only will help block access to the necessary chemicals for narcotics producers, but they will also create greater legal security for legitimate EU businesses.