The European Commission’s proposal to restrict lead in ammunition under the EU REACH Regulation is still under discussion within the EU REACH Committee. The last committee meeting took place on 29 April 2026.

Ahead of that meeting, the Commission extended the proposed transition period for the use of lead shot in hunting with shotguns from three years to five years. This change reflects concerns raised by several Member States regarding the practical, economic, geopolitical, and logistical implications of the restriction.

It is understood that discussions among Member States and the European Commission are continuing, and it remains unclear when the proposal will be put to a vote. The next REACH Committee meeting will take place in June 2026. Further revisions by the Commission cannot be excluded.

FACE continues to closely monitor this regulatory file, which remains highly significant for Europe’s 7 million hunters and the wider hunting and shooting sector.

The latest draft legal proposal can be accessed here:
https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/screen/documents/105447/6