On 2026-09-23, the 最高人民法院 issued the statute 《“两高一部”联合印发关于办理涉芬太尼类物质刑事案件适用法律等若干问题的意见》. source The 18-article document classifies fentanyl substances into medicinal and non-medicinal categories and establishes corresponding sentencing quantity standards. source It also specifies the scope of fentanyl substances, basic requirements for evidence collection, rules for determining knowing intent, confiscation of illegal proceeds, and jurisdiction over related cases. source In parallel, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security issued the 《关于芬太尼类物质犯罪案件立案追诉标准的规定》. source
Who is affected
The opinion refines the work responsibilities of the public-security, prosecutorial, and judicial organs that handle criminal cases involving fentanyl substances, directly governing enforcement personnel and any enterprises or individuals whose conduct falls within the scope of such cases. source
What to do
Audit substance classifications. Review internal inventories to identify any fentanyl-related compounds and assess how the opinion’s medicinal and non-medicinal categories may affect criminal exposure. source
Assess quantity benchmarks. Evaluate compliance programs against the opinion’s provision that non-medicinal fentanyl substances are sentenced according to heroin-equivalent quantity standards. source
Strengthen evidence trails. Ensure that transaction records, internal approvals, and handling documentation are sufficient to satisfy the opinion’s evidence-collection and knowing-intent requirements. source
Monitor coordinated implementation. Watch for guidance from local courts, procuratorates, and public-security bureaus as they apply the 18-article opinion and the parallel prosecution standards. source
Key dates
2026-09-23: The 最高人民法院 published the statute 《“两高一部”联合印发关于办理涉芬太尼类物质刑事案件适用法律等若干问题的意见》. source