Since 2009, some groups of NPS have been brought under control using a generic approach. For instance, synthetic cannabinoids such as phenylacetylindoles were placed under control using the generic approach in 2009. A group of substituted piperazines (mCPP; pCPP; pFPP; TFMPP; mMPP; pMPP; pMeOPP; CPCPP; DBZP; and BZMP) were also subsumed in the generic definition (see The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2009 No. 3209).

Other cathinone derivatives were placed under control as Class B drugs in 2010 (see The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2010 No. 1207).

A further group of cathinone derivatives (including naphthylpyrovalerone -among this naphyrone-) was placed under control by adding them to the list of Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act (see The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment No. 2) Order 2010 No. 1833).

New categories of synthetic cannabinoids and other NPS related to ketamine and phencyclidine-type substances were placed under control in 2013 (see The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2013 No. 239).

Groups of NBOMe compounds (some of which were subject to control under a Temporary Class Drug Order (SI 2013/1294)) were brought under permanent control as Class A drugs, groups of benzofuran compounds were placed under permanent control as Class B drugs (some of which were subject to control under a Temporary CDO ((SI 2013/1294)) in 2014 (see The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Ketamine etc.) (Amendment) Order 2014 No. 1106).