How to check if a SARM is legal in the UK? Step-by-step guide

Is That SARM Legal in the UK? Here’s How to Know for Sure

Confused about whether a SARM you found online is legal in the UK?

You’re not alone.

SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) sit in a grey area between medical research, sports supplements, and controlled substances. And while you might find them sold openly online, that doesn’t mean they’re legal to possess, sell, or import in every context.

So how do you know what’s allowed – and what could land you in legal trouble?

This guide walks you through exactly how to check if a SARM is legal in the UK, what the law actually says, and how to protect yourself when buying or researching these compounds.

Let’s get into it.

First, What Does “Legal” Mean With SARMs?

Before we dive into checks and lists, it’s important to clarify what “legal” actually means when we’re talking about SARMs in the UK.

SARMs are not illegal in general – but how you buy, sell, possess, or promote them does matter.

Here’s the breakdown:

Use Case	Is It Legal?
Personal research (non-human)	✅ Legal if not for human use
Selling for research purposes	✅ Legal with correct disclaimers
Selling as supplements	❌ Illegal – banned by MHRA
Marketing for muscle growth	❌ Illegal – falls under medicine
Use in sports	❌ Prohibited by WADA/UKAD

So legality depends on intent, marketing, and use – not just the compound itself.

Bottom line? If a vendor sells SARMs with “for human consumption” or “muscle building” claims in the UK – they’re breaking the law. Even if the compound itself isn’t a controlled substance.

Read more: Core understanding of SARMs law 

Step 1: Identify the SARM by Its Proper Name

Your first step is identifying exactly which compound you’re looking at.

SARMs are often sold under:

• Brand/trade names (e.g. “Ligandrol”)
• Chemical codes (e.g. LGD-4033)
• Slang or “fitness” names (e.g. “Muscle Pill,” “Hard Bulk”)

What you should do: Use trustworthy databases (like PubChem, ChemSpider, or ClinicalTrials.gov) to verify the chemical name and CAS number.

Here are some examples:

Common Name	Chemical Name / Code	CAS Number
Ostarine	Enobosarm / MK-2866	841205-47-8
Ligandrol	LGD-4033	1165910-22-4
Testolone	RAD-140	1182367-47-0

Knowing the exact compound lets you check if it’s:

• A controlled substance
• Covered by MHRA restrictions
• Banned in sport

Step 2: Check the UK Controlled Substances List

Now that you’ve got the compound name, check if it’s on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.

As of now (2025), most SARMs are NOT classified as controlled substances. But that could change.

Where to check:

• Legislation.gov.uk
• GOV.UK drug scheduling database
• Legal commentary websites (e.g. Practical Law, Westlaw)

TIP: Look specifically under Class C drugs or “anabolic steroids & similar substances.” Some prohormones or peptide-linked compounds are controlled.

If your compound isn’t on the list, that doesn’t mean it’s legal to market or sell as a supplement – just that it’s not criminally controlled.

Step 3: Look at How the Product Is Marketed

This is one of the most important (and overlooked) parts of UK SARMs law.

The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) considers any product that’s:

“presented for treating or preventing disease” OR “administered with a view to restoring, correcting or modifying a physiological function”

…to be a medicine under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

So if the SARM is being sold with phrases like:

• “Increases testosterone”
• “Builds lean muscle fast”
• “Improves recovery and strength”

…it’s illegally marketed under UK law.

Instead, SARMs should be sold for laboratory research only with:

• “Not for human consumption” disclaimer
• “Research use only” label
• Certificate of Analysis (COA)
• No health, performance, or muscle claims

Step 4: Check the Vendor’s Compliance Signals

Even if a product looks legal on paper, the vendor’s practices can tell you a lot about whether you’re buying legally or risking seizure. What to look for:

Legal Signals	Red Flags
“For research use only” labels	Claims like “build muscle” or “fat loss”
COA available for batch	No lab analysis or fake purity claims
Based in UK or EU	Shipping from China or untraceable region
CLP-compliant packaging	Supplement-style packaging
No dosage instructions for humans	Human dosage listed on product page

If a vendor is doing everything right, their products may be legal to buy for research.

If they’re making bodybuilding claims, they’re violating UK laws – even if the compound itself is technically legal.

Further understanding: How to verify the quality of a SARM

Step 5: Know What Border Force Looks For

Yes – your SARMs order can be seized at the UK border. And it happens more often than many people think.

UK Border Force and the MHRA cooperate to intercept packages that:

• Contain unlicensed medicinal products
• Make unapproved health claims
• Don’t follow CLP regulations

Even if you’re just buying for “personal use,” the MHRA has the right to seize or destroy the parcel.

To avoid seizure:

• Buy from UK-based vendors
• Ensure packaging is research-grade
• Avoid “fitness” brands or influencer-linked sellers
• Don’t import from US or China sellers with supplement-style marketing

Step 6: Understand WADA/UKAD Bans (If You’re an Athlete)

Even if a SARM is legal for research or personal study use, it may be banned in competitive sport.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) include all SARMs on their Prohibited List under:

“S1: Anabolic Agents – Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs)”

This includes:

• Enobosarm (MK-2866)
• LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)
• RAD-140
• S-23
• YK-11

Athletes can be banned for testing positive, even if they took a contaminated supplement unknowingly.

So if you’re subject to drug testing:

• Avoid SARMs entirely
• Don’t rely on “legal” status as protection
• Look for Informed-Sport certifications (SARMs won’t have them) So What Happens If..? Selling SARMs as Supplements:
  • MHRA can issue a cease and desist or take criminal action
  • Fines and business closure are possible
  Importing from Unlicensed Source:
  • Border Force may seize and destroy the parcel
  • You may receive a warning letter
  • Repeated attempts may trigger legal investigation
  Using in Sport:
  • 2–4 year bans are common
  • Even “accidental” ingestion is not an excuse

Key Takeaways

• SARMs are not controlled substances in the UK, but selling them as supplements is illegal
• MHRA treats SARMs as unauthorised medicines if marketed for human use
• Legality depends on intent and presentation, not just the compound
• Always check:
  • The chemical name
  • The legislation lists
  • How it’s packaged and marketed
• Buy only from legit SARMS research vendors who follow UK/EU compliance (CLP, COA, disclaimers)
• If you’re an athlete – SARMs are banned, regardless of legality

FAQ: SARMs Legality in the UK

• Are SARMs illegal in the UK?
  Not entirely. It’s legal to buy or possess SARMs for research use only. But it’s illegal to market them as supplements or for human consumption.
• Can I buy SARMs online in the UK?
  Yes, but only from vendors who sell them as research chemicals with proper disclaimers and no health claims. Supplement-style sellers are breaking the law.
• Will SARMs be seized by customs?
  Yes, especially if they’re from outside the UK or marketed improperly. Border Force may destroy the package.
• Is it legal to use SARMs for bodybuilding?
  Using them isn’t criminal, but buying them for this purpose or encouraging others to do so could violate MHRA rules.
• What’s the safest way to buy SARMs in the UK?
  Use a UK-based seller who offers COAs, CLP-compliant labels, “Not for human consumption” disclaimer, No dosage or supplement-style claims.