Following the approval of the revised restriction on lead in gunshot by the EU REACH Committee on 26 June, the European Commission has now published the official voting results.

The proposal was supported by 17 Member States, representing 68.26% of the EU population. Five Member States voted against (19.79% of the EU population), while five Member States abstained (11.95%) (link).

Most of the key policy recommendations put forward by FACE have been reflected in the final proposal, resulting in a more proportionate and practical approach for Europe’s hunting community. Most notably, the transition period for lead gunshot has been extended from three to seven years.

The proposal has now entered the three-month scrutiny period in the European Parliament and the Council, which runs until 10 October 2026. Under this tacit approval procedure, the regulation will enter into force unless either the European Parliament or the Council formally objects during the scrutiny period. Given the significant changes introduced by Member States during the lengthy REACH Committee process, it appears unlikely that either institution will oppose the measure.

Attention will then turn to implementation. Considerable work will be required to support hunters in the transition to non-lead gunshot over the agreed seven-year transition period.