On May 1st, 2019, the decision of the Government of China to add fentanyl-related substances to the Supplementary List of Controlled Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances with Non-medical Use came into effect.  According to the announcement, substances structurally related to fentanyl by one or more of the following modifications will be scheduled:
- Replacement of the N-propionyl group by another acyl group;
- Replacement of the N-phenyl group with any aromatic monocycle whether or not further substituted in or on the aromatic monocycle;
- Substitution in or on the piperidine ring with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, ester, ether, hydroxyl, Halo, haloalkyl, amino or nitro groups; and/or
- Replacement of the phenethyl group with another group, excluding hydrogen atom.

On 11 May 2021, the National Narcotics Control Office in China (NNCA) announced to place synthetic cannabinoids under national control using a generic definition as well as additional 18 substances using an individual listing approach. The control measure is effective as of 1st of July 2021.