π 04 November 2026 β’ European Parliament
EP committees approve tighter EU controls on drug precursor chemicals
On 4 November 2026 the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) and Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) approved draft rules strengthening EU controls on chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs, including heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. The result was 85 votes in favour, 4 against and 6 abstentions. Drug precursors are chemicals with legitimate industrial and commercial uses that can also serve as inputs for illicit drug manufacture.
'Designer' precursors and faster listing
The draft targets so-called 'designer' precursors β substances developed to evade existing controls. It would allow newly identified substances to be added to the EU control lists more quickly, so screening references and licensing checks reflect new substances sooner. At the same time the text states the aim of protecting legitimate trade, research and innovation β the segments that rely on these chemicals for lawful purposes.
Next step β plenary, then Council talks
The committees also voted on opening negotiations with the Council. According to the Parliament's press release, if the 11-12 November 2026 plenary session raises no objections, talks with the Council can begin. The negotiating mandate is therefore conditional on that plenary β Parliament as a whole has not yet adopted a position, and negotiations have not started.
Legislative procedure
The file is procedure 2025/0384(COD) under the ordinary legislative procedure, based on the European Commission proposal of 3 December 2025. The proposal would repeal Regulation (EC) No 273/2004, on monitoring drug precursors in the EU internal market, and Regulation (EC) No 111/2005, on trade in drug precursors between the EU and third countries, replacing the EU's two current precursor control regimes. Rapporteurs are BartΕomiej Sienkiewicz (LIBE) and Nicolas Bay (INTA).
IMPACT FOR COMPLIANCE TEAMS
Who is affected β exporters and distributors of scheduled and dual-use chemicals, logistics providers handling precursor shipments, and online marketplaces hosting precursor-relevant listings. What changes β faster listing of newly identified substances means control lists, licensing checks and screening references update sooner, and the reform contemplates seller verification and reporting duties for platforms.
Timeline β the committee position is adopted, the negotiating mandate is conditional on the 11-12 November plenary, and Council negotiations can follow if the plenary raises no objections. Non-compliance risk remains tied to precursor trade controls and diversion monitoring duties.
Sources:
β’ https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20261103IPR48617/
β’ https://oeil.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2025%2F0384%28COD%29
β’ https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2026/789308/EPRS_BRI(2026)789308_EN.pdf
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