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Change registration for handling basic substances

If you wish to change the registration for the trade in basic substances or for the use of basic substances of category 2A, you must apply to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

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Procedure details

For transportation within the European Union (EU), the basic substances of category 2 are divided into subcategories 2A and 2B. If you

  • trade them or supply them to third parties,
  • arrange transactions with them,
  • carry out drop shipments with them, even if the precursors do not touch the territory of the EU, or
  • import them into or export them from the EU,

you must submit an application for registration to the competent authority of the EU Member State in which you are established. Registration is also required if you possess or use category 2A precursors.

Precursors are divided into the following categories:

  • Category 1: Precursors that can potentially be converted into drugs with a high potential for dependence and abuse
  • Category 2: Substances that can be used for the illicit manufacture of narcotics
  • Category 3: Solvents and acids
  • Category 4: Medicinal products and veterinary medicinal products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine or the salts of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine

If you wish to change this registration because

  • another basic substance is added,
  • a new operation is to be included or
  • the location of your premises changes,

please contact the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).

You must notify the BfArM of any change in the responsible representative(s) or the name of the company.

  • You must be resident in Germany.
  • The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) will check your application for completeness and plausibility. In addition, the BfArM will check whether there are justified grounds for doubting the suitability and reliability of the applicant or the responsible representative(s) before issuing a registration for handling basic substances.
  • You must apply for a new registration if
    • another basic substance is added,
    • a new process is to be included or
    • the location of your premises where you carry out the operations changes.
  • If the responsible representative or the name of the company changes, you must notify us.

  • Required Documents

    You must submit documents with the following complete details:

    • Name
    • telephone number
    • Fax number, if available
    • e-mail address
    • Name and CN code of the required raw materials and their salts
    • for mixtures:
      • the name of the mixture,
      • the name and CN codes of all the basic substances contained in the mixture, and
      • indication of the maximum possible content of such basic substances in the mixture
    • Description of the operations envisaged, for example
      • Trade in the European Union (EU),
      • further processing,
      • import,
      • export,
      • brokerage or intermediary transactions
    • in the event of a change in the responsible officer(s) for the handling of category 2 precursors, a completed declaration form for the appointment of the responsible officer(s)

You can apply online or informally in writing to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) to change the registration for handling basic substances of categories 2 A and B and 3.

Change registration online:

  • Go to the website of the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de and call up the online application. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information, which you can enter electronically.
    • You will need an Elster company account and an Elster certificate for the change.
  • Upload the required documents as a file (PDF, PNG, JPEG, maximum 10 megabytes per file) and send the application.
  • The BfArM will check your details.
    • If any of your details or documents are incomplete, you will receive a request to submit them within a deadline set by the BfArM.
  • If you are granted registration, the BfArM will send you the registration certificate by post.

Apply informally in writing for a change of registration:

  • Compose an application with all the required information, print it out and sign it.
  • Enclose the completed declaration form for the appointment of the responsible representative(s) with the application.
  • Send your informal application by post to the BfArM.
  • The BfArM will check your details.
    • If any of your details or documents are incomplete, you will receive a request to submit them within a deadline set by the BfArM.
  • If you are granted the change of registration, the BfArM will send you the registration certificate by post.

There are no costs.

The application for the inclusion of a new substance, a new process or a change in the location of your business premises must be submitted before you commence your activities.

If the name or legal form of your company changes, if you appoint a new responsible representative or if their name or address changes, you must inform the BfArM electronically or in writing within 10 working days.

This is the average processing time. (42 Tage)

There are no indications or special features.

  • Contradiction
    • You will find detailed information on how to lodge an objection in the notification of your application for a change of registration.

  • Change permission to handle basic substances

    If you wish to change your authorization to trade in category 1 precursors, you can submit an application. This may concern the precursors, the processes, the business premises or the responsible representative(s).

Status: 02.11.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
Source: Federal Portal