# 2025-09983: DEA Eyes a Chemical Precursor Most People Have Never Heard Of 2025-09983, Designation of Propionyl Chloride as a List I Chemical, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration published 2025-06-03; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-27). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-09983 - As of: 2026-10-27 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2025-09983 - Title: Designation of Propionyl Chloride as a List I Chemical - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Justice Department; Drug Enforcement Administration - Citation: 90 FR 23483 - Published: 2025-06-03 - Effective: unknown - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-10-27 ## In one line DEA Eyes a Chemical Precursor Most People Have Never Heard Of ## Summary The DEA wants to officially list propionyl chloride as a controlled chemical because it’s used to make illegal drugs like fentanyl. This means anyone handling it will have to follow strict rules, no matter how much they have or if it’s mixed with other chemicals. If you work with this chemical, get ready for new regulations and make sure to share your thoughts by July 3, 2025! ## Abstract The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing the control of propionyl chloride as a list I chemical under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The Drug Enforcement Administration finds that propionyl chloride is used in the illicit manufacture of the controlled substances fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and fentanyl-related substances, and is important to the manufacture of these substances. In the respective synthetic pathways in which it is used to manufacture those substances, it is a replacement for propionic anhydride, which is currently a list I chemical. If finalized, the proposed rule would subject handlers of propionyl chloride to the chemical regulatory provisions of the CSA and its implementing regulations. This proposed rulemaking does not establish a threshold for domestic and international transactions of propionyl chloride. As such, all transactions of propionyl chloride, regardless of size, shall be regulated. In addition, chemical mixtures containing propionyl chloride are not exempt from regulatory requirements at any concentration. Therefore, all transactions of chemical mixtures containing any quantity of propionyl chloride shall be regulated pursuant to the CSA. Although no automatic exemption is available, manufacturers may submit an application for exemption. ## Effects PRIA read - All Propionyl Chloride Transactions Regulated: cost, high. If finalized, every sale, manufacture, import, or export of propionyl chloride will be regulated under the Controlled Substances Act no matter how small the quantity is. Chemical mixtures that contain any amount of propionyl chloride also would be regulated unless a manufacturer’s exemption is appr… - DEA Registration Requirement and Annual Fees: cost, high. Anyone who manufactures, distributes, imports, or exports propionyl chloride (or regulated mixtures) must obtain DEA registration(s). Annual registration fees cited in the proposal are $3,699 for manufacturers and $1,850 for distributors, importers, and exporters; separate registrations are require… - Recordkeeping and Reporting Obligations: cost, medium. Registered handlers must keep records of regulated transactions for two years and must report to DEA unusual or extraordinary transactions, proposed transactions involving persons DEA has flagged, unusual loss or disappearance, and other suspicious circumstances per 21 U.S.C. 830 and 21 CFR 1310.04… - Temporary Registration Exemption Window: mixed, medium. DEA would allow a temporary exemption from the registration requirement only for persons who submit a properly completed registration application or application for a mixture exemption on or before 30 days after publication of a final rule. That temporary exemption lasts until DEA approves or denie… - Security, Inspections, and Liability Rules Apply: cost, medium. Registered handlers must implement effective security controls against theft and diversion, and facilities where propionyl chloride is held are 'controlled premises' subject to DEA administrative inspections. Any unauthorized activity with propionyl chloride could lead to administrative, civil, or… - Mixture Exemption Application Available: benefit, low. Manufacturers of chemical mixtures can apply under 21 CFR 1310.13 for an exemption so that a mixture containing propionyl chloride would not be regulated. DEA may grant exemption if the mixture is formulated so the listed chemical cannot be readily recovered or used illicitly. - Small Distributor Count and Expected Effects: mixed, low. DEA identified 20 domestic suppliers of propionyl chloride; 3 are already registered and 17 are not registered. DEA estimates that if the rule is finalized, some non-registered distributors may stop selling propionyl chloride rather than pay registration fees, and projects the number of affected sm… ## Related documents - [2026-11526](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11526): Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 201…, 2026-06-09 - [2026-10128](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-10128): Revision of Applications for Manufacturing and Procurement Quotas, 2026-05-20 - [2025-05007](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05007): Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients, 2025-03-24 - [2025-02793](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-02793): Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients, 2025-02-19 - [2026-21725](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21725): Barry Backiewicz, D.D.S.; Decision and Order, 2026-10-26 - [2026-21799](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21799): Vida Janson, M.D.; Decision and Order, 2026-10-26 ## Sources - [2025-09983 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/03/2025-09983/designation-of-propionyl-chloride-as-a-list-i-chemical) - [2025-09983 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-06-03/pdf/2025-09983.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2025-09981, Source of Income From Cloud Transactions; Hearing](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-09981) - [Next: 2025-09988, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4-Fluoroamphetamine in Schedul…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-09988) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-09983 (as of 2026-10-27).