Later this month, the EU REACH Committee is expected to meet to discuss the proposal to restrict lead in ammunition.

At the last REACH Committee meeting, it became clear that bullets would be removed entirely from the scope of the proposal, meaning that the current draft now concerns lead shot only.

The minutes of the previous REACH Committee meeting indicate that some Member States continue to raise concerns about the timing of the proposed restriction. At the same time, Member States also engaged in discussions on the length of the proposed transitional period.

In particular, the minutes note an exchange regarding a possible extension of the transition period for lead shot used in hunting from three years to five years, reflecting continued concerns around the practical, economic, and logistical implications of the proposed measures.

The European Commission is expected to take stock of Member States’ feedback and may present a revised draft for further discussion. It is likely that a vote will take place in the coming months.

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