Norway's 2026 peptide rules: what they mean

What DMP changed on 15 September

DMP's announcement names six peptides and one other substance. BPC-157, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, TB-500, tesamorelin and sermorelin are the peptides on the list. Ibutamoren, also known as MK-677, is listed in addition and should not be described as a seventh peptide.

DMP explains that unlawful manufacture, import, export, dispatch, storage and transfer fall under Sections 234 and 235 of the Norwegian Penal Code when the substances are classified as doping agents. The announcement also states that these substances are not ingredients in medicines with marketing authorisation in Norway or the EU.

A specific legal assessment must start with the applicable regulation and the circumstances concerned. Online shop copy, previous purchases or a product still appearing in a catalogue do not establish lawful access.

Three sets of rules answer different questions

Medicinal product classification concerns which rules apply to a product. DMP describes function and presentation as the basis for classification. The product name and label are therefore only parts of the assessment.

The criminal-law doping list concerns substances covered by Norwegian doping provisions. Section 24 a of the Norwegian Medicines Act prohibits acquisition, possession and use of such doping agents without lawful access. This must be distinguished from DMP's description of the acts covered by Sections 234 and 235 of the Norwegian Penal Code.

Research does not provide a general exemption

DMP's guidance states that importing medicinal products for non-medical use always requires permission from DMP. Purchasing for non-medical use requires permission in certain cases. Scientific, technical and other non-medical use are expressly covered by the guidance.

DMP also specifies that all use of medicinal products in living animals is considered medical use, including animal experiments with a purpose other than testing medicines. Research purposes must therefore be described specifically. The word research cannot be used to treat every experimental design as non-medical.

A label stating “for research only”, a company registration number or a COA does not replace required permits. When assessing a project, the responsible party must clarify both the substance's status and the requirements for import, acquisition and the planned activity.

Medicinal product rules also apply without a doping listing

In its September background article, DMP writes that peptides administered by injection will almost always be classified as medicinal products. DMP also states that importing them from abroad by post is unlawful, regardless of whether they appear on the doping list. This does not mean that every chemical compound called a peptide has an identical status.

A substance's absence from a named entry on the doping list therefore does not settle all applicable rules. Medicinal product classification and import or sale requirements may still be relevant. Likewise, a foreign certificate of analysis documents the sample's analyses, rather than permits from Norwegian authorities.

DMP is the relevant official source for a specific classification or permit. This article provides no guidance on circumventing import controls or other requirements.

The WADA list is a separate set of rules

WADA's 2026 Prohibited List came into effect on 1 January 2026. BPC-157 is named under S0, non-approved substances. CJC-1295, ipamorelin, tesamorelin, sermorelin and ibutamoren fall under S2, and TB-500 is named as an example of thymosin-beta-4 derivatives in the same category. These categories are prohibited both in and out of competition.

A sporting prohibition can apply before a substance is added to Norway's criminal-law list. In September, DMP stated that the substances were already prohibited in sport. At the same time, a sporting listing is not itself the text that determines criminal liability in Norway.

Check the correct version of the list. A published list for a forthcoming year may have a later effective date. Legislation, official guidance and sporting rules must each be read according to what applies at the time of the assessment concerned.