Brussels, 18/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The fight against trade in drugs, especially those produced in Europe, is one of the major concerns of those responsible for the EU's home affairs. It is in that context that on Wednesday the Commission presented a draft regulation aimed at improving the monitoring and control of the trade in chemical products known by the name of "precursors", so as to prevent their being diverted towards the illegal manufacture of drugs and psychotic substances.
The current monitoring system of precursors is based on a 1992 directive which, according to the Commission, has allowed for sound co-operation to be established in the fight against the use of illegal substances between EU institutions, the authorities of Member states and economic operators. The new proposal aims to strengthen the provisions relating to several substances used in the production of drugs such as heroin and cocaine. It provides, notably for the placing on the market of classified substances being dependent on an authorisation issued by the relevant authorities and obliges all buyers of one of these substances to draw up a declaration specifying the use it is intended for. Provisions are also made regarding labelling, monitoring and surveillance. Taking account of the changing nature of the manufacture and trafficking of drugs, the proposals also aligns itself on other legislative instruments, both Community and international.
Once adopted by Parliament and the Council, the new regulation should also oblige Member states to spread information among economic operators on how to recognise and notify suspect transactions of synthetic drugs like ecstasy. According to the Commission, this approach has already proven its worth in France, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The Commission will be responsible for permanently drawing up and adapting lists of products that should be the subject of such surveillance. These lists will be handed to operators by Member states. Finally, the proposal is clearer than in the past as to the definition of the notion of classified substances, specifying that "natural products" containing classified substances enter into its field of application and are thus susceptible to undergoing controls.