[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 4, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23711-23713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10087]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration

[Docket No. DEA-1086]


Special Surveillance List of Chemicals, Products, Materials and 
Equipment Used in the Manufacture of Controlled Substances and Listed 
Chemicals

AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Controlled Substances Act provides for civil penalties for 
the distribution of a laboratory supply to a person who uses, or 
attempts to use, that laboratory supply to manufacture a controlled 
substance or a listed chemical, if that distribution was made with 
reckless disregard for the illegal uses to which such laboratory supply 
will be put. The term laboratory supply is defined as a listed chemical 
or any chemical, substance, or item on a special surveillance list 
published by the Attorney General which contains chemicals, products, 
materials, or equipment used in the manufacture of controlled 
substances and listed chemicals. The Drug Enforcement Administration is 
hereby publishing a notice to update the Special Surveillance List.

DATES: This notice is applicable June 4, 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terrence L. Boos, Drug and Chemical 
Evaluation Section, Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement 
Administration; Telephone: (571) 362-3249.
    As required by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4), a summary of this notice may be 
found in the docket for this notice at www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Controlled Substances Act (CSA), as 
amended by the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 (MCA), 
provides for the publication of a Special Surveillance List by the 
Attorney General.\1\ The Special Surveillance List identifies 
laboratory supplies which are used in the manufacture of controlled 
substances and listed chemicals. The CSA defines ``laboratory supply'' 
as ``a listed chemical or any chemical, substance, or item on a special 
surveillance list published by the Attorney General which contains 
chemicals, products, materials, or equipment used in the manufacture of 
controlled substances and listed chemicals.'' \2\ The CSA provides for 
a civil penalty of not more than $250,000 for the distribution of a 
laboratory supply to a person who uses, or attempts to use, that 
laboratory supply to manufacture a controlled substance or a listed 
chemical, if that distribution was made with ``reckless disregard'' for 
the illegal uses to which such a laboratory supply will be put.\3\ The 
CSA further states that, for purposes of 21 U.S.C. 842(a)(11), ``there 
is a rebuttable presumption of reckless disregard at trial if the 
Attorney General notifies a firm in writing that a laboratory supply 
sold by the firm, or any other person or firm, has been used by a 
customer of the notified firm, or distributed further by that customer, 
for the unlawful production of controlled substances or listed 
chemicals a firm distributes and 2 weeks or more after the notification 
the notified firm distributes a laboratory supply to the customer.'' 
\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 21 U.S.C. 842(a).
    \2\ Id.
    \3\ 21 U.S.C. 842(c)(2)(C). This civil monetary penalty has been 
adjusted for inflation. For penalties assessed after January 30, 
2023, with respect to violations occurring after November 2, 2015, 
the maximum penalty is $470,640. 88 FR 5776, 5780 (Jan. 30, 2023).
    \4\ 21 U.S.C. 842(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The publication of the Special Surveillance List serves two 
purposes. First, it informs individuals and firms of the potential use 
of the items on the list in the manufacture of controlled substances 
and listed chemicals. Second, it reminds individuals and firms that 
civil penalties may be imposed on them if they distribute a laboratory 
supply to a person who uses, or attempts to use, that laboratory supply 
to manufacture a controlled substance or a listed chemical, in 
violation of the CSA, with reckless disregard for the illegal uses to 
which such a laboratory supply will be put.\5\ The publication of the 
updated Special Surveillance List provides an increased level of public 
awareness and law enforcement control to prevent the diversion of 
laboratory supplies used for

[[Page 23712]]

the manufacture of listed chemicals and controlled substances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 21 U.S.C. 842(a)(11).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In developing the updated Special Surveillance List, the Drug 
Enforcement Administration (DEA) consulted with Federal, State, local, 
and foreign law enforcement officials, forensic laboratory authorities, 
intelligence groups, drug signature and profiling programs, and 
international organizations. DEA examined clandestine laboratory 
seizure reports, drug signature and profiling reports, intelligence 
reports, and scientific literature for information regarding: (1) 
illicit drug production methods; (2) chemicals, materials, and 
equipment actually used in the clandestine production of controlled 
substances and listed chemicals; and (3) the role and importance of 
chemicals, materials, and equipment used in the synthesis of controlled 
substances and listed chemicals. The updated Special Surveillance List 
includes chemicals, materials, and equipment used in the manufacture, 
production, and distribution of synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, 
amphetamine, methamphetamine, PCP, LSD, ketamine, and other controlled 
substances and listed chemicals.
    DEA is updating the Special Surveillance List by adding the 
following laboratory supplies to the existing Special Surveillance 
List:

Chemicals, Including Their Salts Whenever the Existence of Such Salts 
Is Possible

New Chemicals
(1-bromocyclopentyl)(2-chlorophenyl)methanone
(2-chlorophenyl)(cyclopenyl)methanone (2-chlorophenyl cyclopentyl 
ketone)
1-((2-chlorophenyl)(methylimino)methyl)cyclopentane-1-ol
1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene
2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-oxobutanoic acid and its esters (e.g. methyl 
2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-oxobutanoate)
4-anilino-1-benzylpiperidine; N-benzyl-4-anilinopiperidine
4-carbomethoxy 4-ANPP
4-nitro-1,2-phenylenediamine
diethyl 2-(2-phenylacetyl)malonate (DEPAPD)
N,N-diethylethylenediamine
isopropylidene (2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)acetyl)malonate (IMDPAM)
norcarfentanil
1-boc-norcarfentanil
para-methyl boc-4-AP
4-piperidinol (4-hydroxypiperidine)
1-boc-4-piperidinol (N-boc-piperidinol)

    In addition to the chemicals listed above, DEA is updating the 
listing of ethyl-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methyloxirane-2-carboxylate 
(3,4-MDP-2-P ethyl glycidate) to include other esters of 3-(1,3-
benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methyloxirane-2-carboxylic acid. DEA updates the 
listing of this chemical to read as follows:

3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methyloxirane-2-carboxylic acid (3,4-MDP-2-P 
glycidic acid; PMK glycidic acid) and its esters (e.g. ethyl-3-(1,3-
benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methyloxirane-2-carboxylate)

Materials

    Furthermore, DEA is updating the Special Surveillance List to 
include the addition of materials to the existing Special Surveillance 
List. This addition includes, but is not limited to, materials such as 
binding, disintegrating, filling, flowing, and lubricating agents, also 
referred to as excipients, used for the illicit manufacture, 
production, or distribution of tablets, capsules, or pills. These 
materials have been linked to law enforcement encounters, intelligence 
reports, and investigations that involve illicit manufacture, 
production, or distribution of controlled substances in forms such as 
pills, tablets, and capsules, and counterfeit, fake, or imitation 
products of legitimate substances. The select excipients are being 
added to the Special Surveillance List for a deterrence purpose in the 
prevention of illicit manufacture, production or distribution of 
controlled substances and the potential reduction of counterfeit, fake, 
or imitation products.
New Materials
    Products containing at least one of these listed materials, 
including premixed products, used in the illicit manufacture, 
production, or distribution of tablets, capsules, or pills.

dicalcium phosphate
magnesium stearate
microcrystalline cellulose
silicon dioxide
stearic acid

    The Special Surveillance List continues to include all listed 
chemicals as specified in 21 CFR 1310.02(a) or (b). DEA is removing an 
individually listed chemical from the Special Surveillance List (tert-
butyl 4-((4-fluorophenyl)amino)piperidine-1-carboxylate (para-fluoro 1-
boc-4-AP)), given that this chemical has since been added to List I and 
is, therefore, automatically included as a laboratory supply. The 
phrase ``all listed chemicals'' includes all chemical mixtures and all 
over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements 
which contain a listed chemical, regardless of their dosage form or 
packaging and regardless of whether the chemical mixture, drug product 
or dietary supplement is exempt from regulatory controls. The following 
is the updated Special Surveillance List for laboratory supplies used 
in the manufacture of controlled substances and listed chemicals, 
including the additions and modifications listed above:

Special Surveillance List Published Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 842(a)

Chemicals, Including Their Salts Whenever the Existence of Such Salts 
Is Possible

    The Special Surveillance List of laboratory supplies which are 
used in the manufacture of controlled substances and listed 
chemicals includes all listed chemicals as specified in 21 CFR 
1310.02(a) or (b). This includes all chemical mixtures and all over-
the-counter (OTC) products and dietary supplements which contain a 
listed chemical, regardless of their dosage form or packaging and 
regardless of whether the chemical mixture, drug product or dietary 
supplement is exempt from regulatory controls. In addition, the 
Special Surveillance List includes the following:

(1-bromocyclopentyl)(2-chlorophenyl)methanone
(2-chlorophenyl)(cyclopentyl)methanone (2-chlorophenyl cyclopentyl 
ketone)
(2-nitroprop-1-en-1-yl)benzene (1-phenyl-2-nitropropene; P2NP)
1-((2-chlorophenyl)(methylimino)methyl)cyclopentane-1-ol
1-(4-bromophenyl)propan-1-one
1-(4-chlorophenyl)propan-1-one
1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one
1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole
1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (e.g., Freon 141B)
1-benzylpiperidin-4-one (N-benzyl-4-piperidone)
1-boc-4-piperidinol (N-boc-piperidinol)
1-boc-norcarfentanil
1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene
1-chloro-N-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine (chloroephedrine; 
chloropseudoephedrine)
1-phenylbutan-1-one
1-phenylpentan-1-one
1-phenylpropan-1-one
2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-oxobutanoic acid and its esters (e.g. 
methyl 2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-oxobutanoate)
2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine
2-bromo-1-(4-chlorophenyl)propan-1-one
2-bromo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-1-one
2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one
2-bromo-1-phenylpentan-1-one
2-bromo-1-phenylpropan-1-one
3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methyloxirane-2-carboxylic acid (3,4-MDP-
2-P glycidic acid; PMK glycidic acid) and its esters (e.g. ethyl-3-
(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methyloxirane-2-carboxylate)
3-methyl-3-phenyloxirane-2-carboxylic acid (BMK glycidic acid; P2P 
glycidic acid) and its esters (e.g., methyl 3-methyl-3-
phenyloxirane-2-carboxylate (BMK methyl

[[Page 23713]]

glycidate); ethyl 3-methyl-3-phenyloxirane-2-carboxylate (BMK ethyl 
glycidate))
3-oxo-2-phenylbutanoic acid and its esters (e.g., alpha-
phenylacetoacetic acid; ethyl 3-oxo-2-phenylbutanoate (EAPA))
4-anilino-1-benzylpiperidine; N-benzyl-4-anilinopiperidine
4-carbomethoxy 4-ANPP
4-nitro-1,2-phenylenediamine
4-piperidinol (4-hydroxypiperidine)
5-(2-nitroprop-1-en-1-yl)benzodioxole (3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-
nitropropene; 3,4-MDP2NP)
ammonia gas
ammonium formate
azobisisobutyronitrile
bromobenzene
butane-1,4-diol (1,4-butanediol)
cyclohexanone
diethyl 2-(2-phenylacetyl)malonate (DEPAPD)
diethylamine and its salts
N,N-diethylethylenediamine
ethyl 3-oxo-4-phenylbutanoate
formamide
formic acid
isopropylidene (2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)acetyl)malonate (IMDPAM)
lithium aluminum hydride
lithium metal
magnesium metal (turnings)
mercuric chloride
methyl 2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-oxobutanoate (MAMDPA; MDMAPA)
N-methylformamide
norcarfentanil
organomagnesium halides (Grignard reagents) (e.g., ethylmagnesium 
bromide and phenylmagnesium bromide)
ortho-toluidine
para-methyl boc-4-AP
phenethyl bromide ((2-bromoethyl)benzene)
phenylethanolamine and its salts
phosphorus pentachloride
potassium dichromate
propionyl chloride
pyridine and its salts
sodium borohydride
sodium dichromate
sodium metal
sodium triacetoxyborohydride
thioglycolic acid and its esters (e.g., methyl thioglycolate)
thionyl chloride
trichloromonofluoromethane (e.g., Freon-11, Carrene-2)
trichlorotrifluoroethane (e.g., Freon 113)

Materials

    Products containing at least one of these listed materials, 
including premixed products, used in the illicit manufacture, 
production, or distribution of tablets, capsules, or pills.

dicalcium phosphate
magnesium stearate
microcrystalline cellulose
silicon dioxide
stearic acid

Equipment

hydrogenators
tableting machines, including punches and dies
encapsulating machines
22 liter heating mantels

    The Attorney General has delegated authority under the CSA and all 
subsequent amendments to the CSA to the Administrator of DEA pursuant 
to 28 CFR 0.100. The Special Surveillance List may be updated as needed 
to reflect changes in the chemicals, products, materials, or equipment 
used in the manufacture of controlled substances and listed chemicals 
by publication of a notice in the Federal Register. DEA will 
disseminate the updated Special Surveillance List as widely as 
possible. In addition, the Special Surveillance List will be available 
on the DEA Diversion Control homepage at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/.

Regulatory Analyses

    The updated Special Surveillance List applies to all individuals 
and firms which distribute the listed chemicals and laboratory supplies 
(chemicals, products, materials, or equipment) on the list. As noted 
above, the Special Surveillance List serves two purposes. First, it 
informs individuals and firms of the potential use of the items on the 
list in the manufacture of controlled substances and listed chemicals. 
Second, it reminds individuals and firms that civil penalties may be 
imposed on them if they distribute a laboratory supply to a person with 
reckless disregard for the illegal use to which such a laboratory 
supply will be put.
    This update provides an increased level of law enforcement control 
to prevent the diversion of laboratory supplies used for the 
manufacture of listed chemicals and controlled substances. It does not 
impose any new regulatory burden on the public as there are no 
corresponding recordkeeping or reporting requirements of the laboratory 
supplies. However, it does impose potential civil penalties for the 
distribution of a laboratory supply to a person who uses, or attempts 
to use, that laboratory supply to manufacture a controlled substance or 
a listed chemical, if that distribution was made with reckless 
disregard for the illegal uses to which such laboratory supply will be 
put. This update fulfills the requirement imposed by Section 205 of the 
MCA that the Attorney General shall publish a Special Surveillance List 
which contains chemicals, products, materials, or equipment used in the 
manufacture of listed chemicals and controlled substances.
* * * * *

Signing Authority

    This document of the Drug Enforcement Administration was signed on 
May 27, 2025, by Acting Administrator Robert J. Murphy. That document 
with the original signature and date is maintained by DEA. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DEA Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of DEA. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect 
of this document upon publication in the Federal Register.

Heather Achbach,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Drug Enforcement Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-10087 Filed 6-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-P