Memo 9/10: Category 1 Drug Precursor Licensing
Category 1 drug precursor chemicals are subject to a strict licensing regime administered by the Home Office and it is unlawful to possess them without a licence. Until now, University policy on the acquisition and use of these chemicals has been covered by a site-wide licence, as was explained in Policy Statement S3/09, which is now withdrawn, as the Home Office will no longer permit the University to possess a site–wide licence.
Research groups wishing to purchase or keep chemicals listed in the annexe will now need to apply to the Home Office for a licence. Application forms and further information may be found via the following URL:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/licensing/precursors-chemical-licensing/
Discussions with the Home Office indicate that the most appropriate course of action is for a Principal Investigator, or someone of equal standing, to apply as the licence holder, and for their Head of Department to be the guarantor. Applicants should note that they and their guarantor will be required to undergo enhanced CRB checks. Their premises will also be visited by a Home Office Compliance Officer, who will need to be satisfied that appropriate security arrangements are in place before a licence can be granted.
Note that it may take several months to obtain a licence: the Home Office’s web site indicates that an application will take 12 weeks to process (though the notification that the University’s licence would not be renewed was received more than 6 months after the application date). The Safety Office will try to assist those who wish to obtain a precursor licence and are having difficulties with the process.
I am sorry to say that those wishing to purchase drug precursors at present will be unable to do so until an appropriate individual licence has been issued.