New Fentanyl Precursors Added

Summary#

The government has added four chemicals to the schedule of the Regulations Amending the Precursor Control Regulations (Additional Fentanyl Precursors): SOR/2026-39. The change takes effect on April 12, 2026 and is meant to control substances linked to fentanyl production.

What it does#

• Adds these four items to the schedule after item 33:
  • 34 — Phenethyl bromide ((2-bromoethyl)benzene), Column 2: 0
  • 35 — Propionic anhydride (propanoic anhydride), Column 2: 0
  • 36 — Phenethyl iodide ((2-iodoethyl)benzene), Column 2: 0
  • 37 — Phenethyl chloride ((2-chloroethyl)benzene), Column 2: 0
• The amendment was registered as SOR/2026-39 on February 26, 2026 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 11, 2026.
• The measure was made by the Governor General in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Health under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• The official Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) is published alongside a related instrument, SOR/2026-38, and gives more context about impacts (the Gazette notice points readers there).

Who's affected#

• Businesses and people who make, import, sell, distribute, possess, or use the four listed chemicals — for example, some chemical suppliers, laboratories, and manufacturers.
• Law enforcement and public health agencies that track and act on illegal fentanyl production.
• It may also affect researchers and companies that use these chemicals for legitimate industrial or scientific purposes.
• The Gazette text itself does not spell out exactly which routine activities will change; the RIAS linked to the related notice likely has more detail.

Why it matters#

• The four substances are being formally identified as additional precursors connected to fentanyl production. That typically means tighter controls on their availability and movement.
• Tighter controls aim to make it harder to get chemicals used to make illicit fentanyl, which could help reduce illegal production and harms from synthetic opioids.
• At the same time, people and businesses that use these chemicals for lawful reasons may face new paperwork, restrictions, or compliance costs — details are in the RIAS referenced by the Gazette.