Report on characterisation of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Identification and characterisation of new drugs including physicochemical properties F. Reniero, J. Lobo Vicente, H. Chassaigne, M. Holland, S. Tirendi, K. Kolar , and C. Guillou 2014 European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for Health & Consumers Protection Contact information Fabiano Reniero Address: Joint Research Centre, Via Enrico Fermi 2749, TP 281, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy E-mail:
[email protected] Tel.: +39 0332 78 9116 https://ec.europa.eu/jrc https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/institutes/ihcp / Legal Notice This publication is a Science and Policy Report by the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission’s in-house science service. It aims to provide evidence-based scientific support to the European policy-making process. The scientific output expressed does not imply a policy position of the European Commission. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of this publication. All images © European Union 2014 JRC92322 © European Union, 2014 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Abstract Implementation of the REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on new psychoactive substances within the context of legislative controls on the illicit drugs market requires that enforcement laboratories be provided with fit- for-purpose bio-analytical methods. The aim is to responding to new challenges in the illicit drugs market, where a rapid increase in number and availability of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) including the combination of licit substances, such as alcohol and prescribed controlled medication, and illicit substances, are faced.