Suspicious chemicals

In many localities, the purchase of certain chemicals is monitored in an attempt to crack down on the manufacture of illegal drugs and explosives. This article will attempt to list watched chemicals by locality.

European Union

The EU has placed in recent years several regulations and restrictions on many chemicals. However, the enforcing of the restrictions varies from each member.

The most infamous is the ban for dichloromethane use in paint strippers, which was adopted in 2009. Most EU countries have complied with the rule, however, in many EU Eastern European countries such as Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, DCM paint strippers can still be found in certain small hardware stores, or in the case of Poland, even in big stores.

Austria

Many compounds that are considered toxic, can only be acquired with a special poisons permit.

Germany

The Precursors Monitoring Act (Grundstoffüberwachungsgesetz) classifies drug precursors in three categories, 1, 2 and 3.

Category 1 substances are classified as direct/raw precursors to drugs. All activities related to said compounds, such as manufacture, use and import are subjected to regulations from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) and fail to comply is considered criminal offense.

Category 2 substances are classified as being used in the illicit manufacture of drugs, but have other legitimate use and are only subjected to regulations over a certain amount, though their use might be monitored. The list considers the following compounds and their maximum permitted amount:

• Anthranilic acid - 1 kg
• Acetic anhydride - 100 l
• Potassium permanganate - 100 kg
• Phenylacetic acid - 1 kg
• Piperidine - 0.5 kg

Category 3 substances are classified reagent used in the manufacture of illegal drugs, but have many OTC uses, such as cleaning, fuel additives, pH treatment. Unlike Cat. 2, Cat. 3 are not considered basic or starting materials, but rather excipients. They have limited to no restrictions for their domestic use, however they are subjected to limits when it comes to exporting them to other countries, mostly third world countries that are known to show high activity for illicit drug manufacture.

• Acetone - 50 kg
• Diethyl ether - 20 kg
• Methyl ethyl ketone - 50 kg
• Toluene - 50 kg
• Sulfuric acid - 100 kg
• Hydrochloric acid - 100 kg

Netherlands

In recent years, most useful reagents, such as acetone, ammonia, sodium hydroxide have almost vanished from the shelves and are being replaced by "green" products. Most however, contain other products that one would hardly consider them more safe or less harmful than the reagent is supposed to replace.

United States

The United States has strict surveillance programs that involve many chemicals and types of equipment which are used to manufacture illegal drugs and explosives.

DEA lists

Main article: DEA lists

The DEA lists are lists of chemicals used by the Department of Justice to determine probable cause in a drug lab investigation. Most of these chemicals are sold in restricted quantities to individuals, and the possession or purchase of more than allotted amounts may incite an investigation. Wherever possible use cash to pay for these chemicals, or better yet, avoid them entirely if at all possible or synthesize them clandestinely.

Russian Federation

The FSKN lists are lists of chemicals used by the Federal Service of Illegal Drug Trade Control of Russia to determine probable cause in a drug lab investigation. Most of these chemicals are sold in restricted quantities to individuals, and the possession or purchase of more than allotted amounts may incite an investigation. Wherever possible use cash to pay for these chemicals, or better yet, avoid them entirely if at all possible or synthesize them clandestinely. A lot of common chemicals such as concentrated mineral acids, THF and potassium permanganate is in the FSKN lists, so an amateur chemist in Russia more or less has to be clandestine.

Australia

In spite of having a reputation for a restrictive environment for home chemists and a high degree of regulation, the laws pertaining to amateur chemistry are rather loosely defined. Instead, a code of practice exists regarding the commercial sale of chemicals and lab equipment. From the Code of Practice for Supply Diversion into Illicit Drug Manufacture,

The National Code of Practice is voluntary with the expectation of self-regulatory arrangements between industry membership, law enforcement agencies and the community. Industry members should be aware, however, that Federal and/or State governments will formalise such guidelines through legislation or regulations if they consider there is insufficient support or adherence under these existing self-regulatory arrangements.

In summary, there is little that a legitimate home chemist would need that is actually illegal to own. There is much however that is watched by law enforcement agencies. Sales of certain chemicals and equipment within the country are monitored. Customs officials monitor imports and alert federal police when they encounter anything that might raise suspicion.

The most common thing that an amateur chemist will encounter is an End User Declaration (EUD). This document must be completed to purchase certain items from commercial suppliers. It is important to note that the EUD is actually a regulation targeting suppliers and not users. The result is that many suppliers will not sell to non-commercial entities or will simply not sell some chemicals and equipment.

The second most common thing an amateur chemist can expect is a "friendly visit" from police if they learn from customs that watched items have been purchased. Undoubtedly these visits transform into raids and arrests if clandestine drug labs are encountered. Anecdotal accounts from ScienceMadness members indicate that, for a legitimate hobbyist, the visit involves an interview and a cursory inspection to confirm that the home lab is not being used for illicit activity.

The main concern is the manufacture of illicit drugs but precursors for energetic compounds are also watched. Relevant documentation and legislation includes:

Code of Practice for Supply Diversion into Illicit Drug Manufacture

The Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Acts 1989 and 1990