proposal for a regulation of the european parliament and of the council on new psychoactive substances com 2013 619 final 43 pages in english 47 pages in french 46 pages in spanish . the proposal for a regulation establishes rules for the restrictions to the free movement of new psychoactive substances in the eu. this instrument sets out the principle of free movement of new psychoactive substances but only for commercial and industrial uses as well as for scientific research and development purposes. it then introduces rules for the adoption of restrictions to this free movement at the eu level which are graduated proportionate and calibrated to the risks that substances pose and which ensure that legitimate uses of the substances and research are not unduly hindered. according to the proposed rules when a substance raises concerns across the european union because of the health social and safety risks that it poses when consumed by humans the european monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction emcdda and europol draft a joint report on this substance. on the basis of this joint report the commission decides whether to request a scientific risk assessment of the substance. if the joint report shows that the substance poses immediate risks to public health for example it is highly toxic and is causing fatalities across europe the commission can also subject it to temporary market restriction. this will forbid the sale of the substance to consumers for one year but legitimate uses of the substance for instance in industry or in research will not be affected. in this way consumers are protected during the risk assessment of the substance while industrial commercial or scientific uses of the substance are not impeded. once the risks of the substance have been assessed action will be taken depending on its level of risk. the eu can i take no action if the substance poses low risks ii ban the substance from the consumer market if it poses moderate risk this will forbid the sale of the substance to consumers but legitimate uses of the substance will not be affected or iii ban the substance from the consumer market as well as restrict its commercial and industrial uses specifically authorised uses will remain allowed if it presents severe risks. criminal measures introduced at national level would accompany the ban on severe-risks substances. member states will have to adopt within one year the necessary national provisions to subject the substance to the criminal law provisions applicable to illicit drugs.