In the previous situation, a new substance was banned under the Opium Act if a risk assessment showed that it posed too great health risks. This allowed drug producers to quickly create a very similar drug with a slightly different composition, making that new drug legally available on the market. A good example of this was the proven harmful 3-MMC (also known as cat or meow) which was quickly followed by new variants like 2-MMC.

Because designer drugs were easily and legally obtainable, users wrongly believed they were not so dangerous. However, the effects of such a designer drug are usually more potent and unpredictable than an existing drug, leading users to face even greater health risks. Known risks include heart problems, psychological issues, hallucinations, and addiction. Users of designer drugs can even die from them. To stop this development, it has been decided to impose a ban on many common groups of new psychoactive substances (NPS, or designer drugs) by adding a list (IA) to the Opium Act. This sends a clear signal: This stuff is dangerous, stay away from it.

Not all substances with the same chemical basis are banned. Exceptions have been made for medicines, veterinary medicines, the plant protection product penconazole, and the sweetener aspartame. These substances remain legal. Also, animal care products, wood maintenance products, and the substance phenylalanine, which is found in some dietary supplements, remain permitted. If necessary, an additional exception can be made. The website of the Government of the Netherlands provides an indication of the substances that fall under the ban.

The ban on groups of new psychoactive substances aims to ensure that these risky substances are not available via websites. After all, these are illegal and unhealthy products. The barriers to using these substances will thus be significantly higher. At the same time, the cabinet is focusing on more and clearer information and prevention. Users need to be well informed about the dangers of these drugs. Additionally, multiple parties (such as the Public Prosecution Service, police, and various municipalities) have called for this ban in recent years. With this ban, authorities can respond more quickly to new developments regarding designer drugs, collaborate more closely with international partners, and make the Netherlands less attractive for drug crime.