Scheduling procedure for drug precursors

This scheduling procedure allows to subject substances frequently used in illicit drug manufacture to international control by adding them to Table I or II of the 1988 Convention. The procedure typically takes several months and involves several stakeholders. The same procedure applies for the deletion of a substance from Table I or Table II, or for the transfer of a substance from one Table to another.

Who can initiate a scheduling procedure?

The scheduling procedure can be initiated by any State party to the Convention or by INCB. The initiator notifies the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the suggested scheduling change and provides them with supporting information. The Secretary-General then transmits the notification to the State parties, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and INCB.

Procedure for adding chemicals to the Tables of the 1988 Convention.

What is the role of INCB?

INCB conducts the assessment and makes a scheduling recommendation to the CND. Under article 12 paragraph 4, INCB examines information provided by the States parties and its decision shall reflect:

The extent, importance and diversity of licit use;
The possibility and ease of using alternate substances (both for licit and illicit purposes);
The frequency of use in illicit drug manufacture;
Whether volume and extent of illicit manufacture of the drug end product create serious public health or social problems, so as to warrant international action.

What happens during and after the CND vote?

INCB's scheduling recommendation is voted by the CND. A two-thirds majority (at least 36 Members of the CND) must vote in favor to take a decision to add a substance to, remove it from, or transfer it between the Tables of the 1988 Convention. The Secretary-General then communicates the decision to all States. Decisions enter into force 180 days after the date of such communication.

International scheduling of precursors since 2014. The full history is available here.

Are scheduling decisions at the CND final?

Scheduling decisions are subject to review by the ECOSOC upon the request of any State party. The request for review must be filed within 180 days of receipt of notification of the decision. ECOSOC may confirm, alter or reverse the decision of the CND, and the ECOSOC decision is final.

What is the States parties' role after the scheduling procedure?

After a scheduling decision becomes effective, State parties should enact national legislation to comply with the provisions of article 12 of the Convention. A number of tools have been made available by INCB to support Governments in their efforts.

Governments' obligations related to substances listed in the Tables of the 1988 Convention.

How are closely related chemical substances addressed?

The scheduling is a substance-by-substance process. However, the scope of control of the 1988 Convention is extended to salts and (stereo)isomeric forms of certain scheduled precursors, whenever they exist.

CND resolution 65/3 of March 2022 invited INCB and Governments within their respective purviews to consider derivatives and related chemicals which may readily be converted to or used in place of a to-be-scheduled substance.

Illicit drug manufacturers often circumvent controls by replacing controlled chemicals with closely related substitutes, including designer precursors

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Questions?

E-mail: incb.precursors[at]un.org

INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD