The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) maintains lists regarding the classification of illicit drugs (see DEA Schedules).
The list is designated within the Controlled Substances Act[1] but can be modified by the U.S. Attorney General as illegal manufacturing practices change.
Suppliers of these products are subject to regulation and control measures:[2] These chemicals are designated as those that are used in the manufacture of the controlled substances and are important to the manufacture of the substances:[3] These chemicals are designated as those that are used in the manufacture of controlled substances:[4] All listed chemicals[5] as specified in 21 CFR 1310.02 (a) or (b).
This includes 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.
Some Special Surveillance List chemicals do not have an exclusive manufacturing use for a specific illicit drug but rather have a broad range of uses in both legitimate and illicit manufacturing operations.