For information only - not an official document
UNIS/NAR/1455
7 February 2022
The International Narcotics Control Board recommends the international scheduling of three fentanyl precursors as 133rd session concludes
VIENNA, 4 February (UN Information Service) - The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has assessed three precursors of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances and decided to recommend the international scheduling of 4-AP, boc-4-AP and norfentanyl at its 133rd session. This follows the receipt of an October 2021 proposal from the Government of the United States to schedule the three substances, on which governments were invited to submit information to INCB. The Board's recommendation is based on a review of that information and has been transmitted to the Chair of the sixty-fifth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which has the authority to make scheduling decisions on the international control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
Pursuant to article 15 of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the President of the Board held a briefing to Permanent Missions on the Board's 2021 Annual Report and Precursors Report, which will be launched globally on 10 March 2022. At that briefing, the President of the Board announced the publication of a guidance document on options to address the proliferation of non-scheduled chemicals and designer chemicals. This menu of policy options is the result of a series of activities organized or supported by the Board in 2021, including consultations involving over 70 Member States, five international organizations and technical experts.
During consultations with the Chair of the sixty-fifth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Board discussed its work on materials and equipment used in the illicit manufacture of drugs and will hold a side event on this issue at the upcoming session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Looking ahead, the Board decided that it would review progress by Member States towards ensuring availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes, including in emergency situations. The Board reviewed training carried out under the INCB Learning programme to assist Member States in this regard. It also reviewed activities carried out under the INCB GRIDS Programme to prevent trafficking in dangerous substances, including through the internet and social media platforms and the work done in this area to support Member States' public private partnerships. These programmes assist Member States in implementing the drug control conventions and are just some of the ways in which INCB is supporting Member States in progressing on the Sustainable Development Goals.
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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting and monitoring Government compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the thirteen members of the Board are elected in a personal capacity by the Economic and Social Council for terms of five years.
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For further information, please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Tel.: (+43-1) 26060-4163
Email: incb.secretariat[at]un.org
www.incb.org