Service Standard for Issuance of a Renewal of Dealer's Licence for Class A Chemical Precursors 

Service Description:

Health Canada posts service standards and performance information in accordance with applicable Applications Management Policy (AMP) for services with over 100 regulatory authorizations, such as permits or licences, issued each year (high-volume regulatory transactions).

This service is a high-volume regulatory transaction used by applicants to renew a valid dealer's licence for Class A chemical precursors.

The diversion of controlled substances and chemical precursors frequently used in the production of illegal drugs is a worldwide problem that requires a global solution. Health Canada is an active team player in the fight against the illicit use of these controlled substances and chemical precursors.

The Office of Controlled Substances (OCS) works in collaboration with Canadian and international stakeholders in the public and private sectors to ensure that chemical precursors and controlled substances are handled effectively and remain in legal distribution channels, and that there is no interference with valid commercial, medical and scientific activities.

The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) prohibits certain activities with controlled substances and precursors (i.e. possession, production, trafficking, importation and exportation) except as authorized by regulations or exempted in accordance with the CDSA. The Precursor Control Regulations (PCR) set out a framework within which activities with precursors are regulated. Under the PCR, a licence is required for any person to produce, package, sell, provide, import, export, and possess for the purpose of exporting Class A precursors, and a registration is required for any person to produce for the purpose of sale, import and export of Class B precursors.

Service Standard:

The OCS commits as per the applicable AMP to a service delivery standard of 60 calendar days, for the issuance of a decision on an application to renew a dealer's licence for Class A chemical precursors, from the receipt of a complete application (renewal issued/renewal refused).

This service delivery standard applies only to amendments to a Class A Precursor Licence under the Precursor Control Regulations (PCR), and not a renewal of Class B Precursor Registration.

Performance Target:

The target for achieving this standard is set at 90%.

Performance result in fiscal year 2018 to 2019:

The OCS processed 100% of within its service standard.

Departmental Contact:

Please contact the OCS to make any general inquiries or comments:

Chemical Precursors Section
Office of Controlled Substances
Controlled Substance Directorate
Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
Health Canada
AL 0300B
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
Email: hc.precursors-precurseurs.sc@canada.ca