Registration and licensing services
As of today, 1 July 2015, professional users of acetic anhydride, the main substance used in the manufacture of heroin, within the Union shall be registered with their national competent authorities to engage in their professional activities.
This provision and all the other implementing provisions concerning domestic and international trade in drug precursors are contained in the Commission Delegated Regulation and the Commission Implementing Regulation (OJEU L 162, 27 June 2015 entering into force today, thus repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1277/2005.
Drug precursors are chemicals which have wide legitimate uses but which can also be used to produce illegal drugs. Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 lays down measures for monitoring trade in drug precursors within the EU, while Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 governs trade in drug precursors between the EU and third countries.
EU legislation on Drug precursors
- Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 of 22 December 2004 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the Community and third countries in drug precursors (managed by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union), amended by Regulation (EU) No 1259/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013
- Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 on drug precursors (managed by the Commission’s Directorate General for Growth), amended by Regulation (EU) No 1258/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013
- CommissionDelegated Regulation (EU) No 2015/1011 of 24.4.2015 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug precursors and Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the Union and third countries in drug precursors, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1277/2005
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2015/1013 of 27.6.2015 laying down rules in respect of Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug precursors and of Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the Union and third countries in drug precursors
- List of countries referred to in Article 10 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (UE) No 2015/1011 of 24.4.2015)
International framework
EU legislation on drug precursors is based upon Article 12 of the 1988 United Nations Convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Convention provides for comprehensive measures against drug trafficking, including provisions against the diversion of precursor chemicals, as well as money laundering. It provides for international co-operation through, for example, extradition of drug traffickers, controlled deliveries and transfer of proceedings. Article 12 in particular focuses on preventing the diversion of drug precursors through controlling businesses engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of those chemicals, and monitoring international trade in those substances.
The UN body in charge of monitoring the Convention’s implementation is the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). The INCB is an independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the UN international drug control conventions. It was established in 1968 in accordance with the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The INCB in particular monitors and promotes measures taken by the different contracting parties to prevent diversion of drug precursors and assists national administrations in meeting their obligations under the conventions. The international drug control treaties also require the INCB to prepare annual reports on the drug control situation worldwide. The INCB also prepares specific annual reports on the implementation of Article 12 of the 1988 Convention which provide a detailed analysis on the worldwide situation of diversion of drug precursor chemicals.
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Forms and documents are completed and submitted in Bulgarian language.