The Government is introducing changes to control a wider set of drug precursor chemicals (DPCs) in Great Britain, and to ensure that UK-wide criminal offences apply to a wider set of DPCs. This ensures that police forces can act against criminals involved in the import, export, manufacture or supply of potentially harmful DPCs which can be used to make illicit drugs.

This Circular describes changes in the legislation on drug precursor chemicals (DPCs). It contains information for:

• Businesses, as the existing requirements to apply to the Home Office for licences and related documents, and to discharge additional responsibilities such as documenting DPC consignments, will now apply to additional DPCs.
• Law enforcement organisations, as existing criminal offences will now apply to additional DPCs.

Four of these regulations previously applied across the UK. The 2026 Regulations clarify that they apply only in Great Britain. Links to the Great Britain regulations are below:

• Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/1011
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1013

Similar provisions in EU law apply in Northern Ireland. Links are below:

• Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/1011
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1013

The other three regulations continue to apply across the UK. In some cases the regulations specify the provisions which apply in Great Britain and those which apply in Northern Ireland. Links are below:

• The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors)(Intra-Community Trade) Regulations 2008
• The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors)(Community External Trade) Regulations 2008
• The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors) (Intra-Community Trade and Community External Trade) Regulations 2010

The 2026 Regulations make some substantive changes to the provisions in the above regulations. Details on these changes are set out in on the UK Home Office website.

See also, Circular 002/2026: orphines