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. Other hazardous chemicals are also watched. This article will attempt to list watched chemicals by locality.

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

Canada

Canada has few restrictions on glassware and other lab equipment. Various lab reagents can be purchased in many places, NileRed had no problem acquiring Sigma, Alfa and Fischer reagents from a local store. In recent years however, the sale of many reagents is becoming more restricted. The sale of pure nitrates is restricted to general public. Red P

China

Although people from other countries can buy many reagents and lab equipments (or even labs) from China, due to excessive government regulation, it's difficult for the average citizen to pursue home chemistry. There are many regulations for many basic reagents, like acids and oxidizers.

However, if you know the right people, it's possible to acquire most of what you need.

European Union

The EU has placed in recent years several regulations and restrictions on many chemicals, such as explosive precursors, drug precursors, ozone depleting substances and many other chemicals. However, the enforcement of the restrictions varies between the member states.

In addition, the EU commission has prepared a list of unregulated drug precursors which are monitored by law enforcement agencies. However, chemical suppliers are not required to report sales of the listed compounds and many of them are easily available. The list is considered to contain sensitive information and is thus distributed only to relevant bodies – yet several versions of the document have been leaked over the years. As of June 2021 the following substances with known legal use and trade are listed:

• 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-one
• 1,4-Butanediol
• Glacial Acetic Acid
• Allylbenzene
• Benzaldehyde
• Benzyl Chloride
• Benzyl Cyanide
• Ethylamine
• Formamide
• Gamma Butyrolactone
• Lithium Aluminium Hydride
• Methylamine
• Nitroethane
• Platinum Oxides
• L-(+)-Tartaric Acid
• D-(-)-Tartaric Acid

The list also contains substances with no known legal use and trade beyond limited research and laboratory analytical purposes:

• Ethyl alpha-Phenylacetoacetate (EAPA)

Austria

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

Belgium

Most basic reagents can be easily obtained, though many strong oxidizers need a permit.

Denmark

Basic reagents are difficult to acquire and the more "hazardous" ones may need a permit. Manufacturing and use of as little as 10 g of energetic materials will invite a visit from the police.

Estonia

Except for very dangerous or hazardous chemicals, which require permit or license, depending on the type, there aren't many restrictions on reagents or lab equipment.

Finland

Many common reagents are either somewhat difficult to find in pure form, or are expensive. Oxidizers like nitrates are monitored due to their potential use in criminal activities, as are many explosive precursors. Aromatic solvents like toluene, as well as many halogenated solvents are restricted to the general public.

France

There appear to be no restrictions on most lab equipment. Most common chemicals can be bought from hardware stores, though drug and explosive precursors are monitored.

Germany

Sale of toxic chemicals to private individuals is forbidden by mail order, but ordering them from other countries or picking them up in person is not illegal. Stores that sell them in person are few and far between, and sales are recorded for a minimum of 5 years. Explosive compounds require a license, but there are no restrictions on labware. Enforcement is generally strict compared to other EU countries. The interior ministry has run a monitoring program of suspicious chemicals since at least the 1980s, and many suppliers and customers have been raided for legal chemicals including drug precursors such as gamma-butyrolactone, explosive precursors including hydrogen peroxide, and in some cases even diethyl ether or copper sulfate.

Italy

Most common reagents can be bought from hardware stores, few restrictions apply to OTC chemicals.

Methanol is banned, due to its use in counterfeit alcohol which caused deaths in the past.

Purchasing large amounts or nitrates may require license.

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.

Norway

OTC chemicals can be easily purchased from stores, though since 2011 there are restrictions on fertilizers and explosive precursors. Chemicals that are labeled as "poisonous" require a permit from police, though you might need to have a small business for that.

Poland

Basic reagents are relative easy to acquire, as are most lab equipment. Drug and explosive precursors require license, however.

Portugal

Acids and most solvents can be freely and easily bought from stores, and there aren't restrictions on lab equipment.

Spain

Few restrictions on lab equipment and reagents, and most basic chemicals are OTC.

Sweden

While it's possible to acquire many reagents, some, like conc. sulfuric acid are not sold to the public, while nitrates are monitored.

India

Few regulations regarding lab equipment and reagents, though little information is present about drug and explosive precursors.

Iran

Not many restrictions to lab equipment and most reagents, but it's difficult to find a good domestic supplier.

Israel

No restrictions on lab equipment. There aren't many restrictions on basic reagents, though energetic materials may raise an eyebrow.

Malaysia

Due to the extremely tough drug laws in SE Asia, it's extremely risky to pursue amateur chemistry in this country. Most common and basic reagents aren't easy to acquire, and OTC acids are diluted. Oxidizers are regulated and require hard to get permits. Manufacturing and use of explosives or drugs/drug precursors may carry the death penalty.

Mexico

While most basic reagents are readily available in most places, due to the Drug war, the acquisition of lab equipment and monitored chemicals may arouse suspicion.

New Zealand

There are no clear restrictions on many common reagents. Nitrate fertilizers, acids, various salts can be easily bought from many stores that sell them, though extremely toxic chemicals, like heavy metals are not readily available.

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.

Serbia

Few restrictions on OTC chemicals and lab equipment, when available, however chemical companies will not sell to private persons. Many OTC chemicals have been diluted and are of poor quality, depending on the brand. Acquiring permits is a nightmare, due to bureaucracy.

Singapore

It's relative difficult to acquire most lab equipment, and even many OTC reagents that are readily available in most countries, like NaOH or acids are restricted. The lack of open fields limits the amount of experiments one can do. Energetic materials are a big no-no.

Switzerland

The laws involving chemicals in Switzerland are much less restrictive than in most countries. Category 3 drug precursors are not restricted either by category or quantity, except for exporting. Chemicals that are category 1 and 2 are excepted from any regulations, provided the amount possessed is below 10 g. To possess more than 10 g of precursor, an EUD is required. The only excepted category 1 and 2 precursors that you can own beyond the 10 g threshold are acetic anhydride (100 kg), KMnO₄ (5 kg), phenylacetic acid esters (100 g), etc.

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 list of chemicals

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.

EPCRA

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act maintains a huge list of various chemicals which are known to be dangerous, and divided in four main categories:

• Extremely Hazardous Substances: Releases of these chemicals must be reported immediately
• Hazardous Substances: Releases of these chemicals above certain amounts must be reported immediately
• Hazardous Chemicals: Defined by OSHA regulations as chemicals which represent physical or health hazards. Under this definition many thousands of chemicals can be subject to reporting requirements if a facility manufactures, processes, or stores them in certain amounts. Inventories of these chemicals and material safety data sheets for each of them must be submitted if they are present in the facility in certain amounts.
• Toxic Chemicals: A list containing over 320 chemicals or chemical categories, which were selected by Congress primarily because of their chronic or long-term toxicity. Estimates of releases of these chemicals into all media (air, land, and water) must be reported annually and entered into a national database.

Many vital or important chemicals, like ammonia, bromine, carbon disulfide, chloroform, formaldehyde, hydrazine, conc. hydrogen peroxide (>50%), phenol, sulfuric acid, cyanides, mercury and cadmium salts are included in this list.

List can be found here.

Vietnam

Lab equipment is easy to acquire, but you will need permit for handling acids and oxidizers.

See also

• Chemophobia
• Regulatory quirks