The European Commission has released a new legislative proposal on lead restrictions, building on extensive =>prework by ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency).
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This proposal, published on February 20, 2025, consists of two documents:
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=>A Background Document explaining why the restrictions are needed.
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=>An Annex outlining the proposed new rules.
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Countries have been asked to submit written feedback by March 21.
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The next REACH Committee meeting will be on April 29-30 to discuss the lead restrictions further.
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Additional meetings are planned in June, October, and December.
Note: Committee meetings cover multiple topics, so their dates do not indicate when the lead restriction will be discussed or finalized. Due to extensive hunting ammunition regulations and numerous amendment requests from Member States, EFTTA expects the final text in the second half of this year or early next year.
LEAD PROPOSAL MARCH 2025
=>EFTTA’s POSITION
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EFTTA supports most of the proposed restrictions and agrees with banning the sale and use of fishing wires, sinkers, and lures containing 1% or more lead by weight.
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EFTTA also supports the “immediate” (after 6 months) ban on sinkers specifically designed to be lost or detached during angling (called “drop-in sinkers” in the legislative proposal).
=> However, EFTTA has secured two important exemptions:
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Lures made from copper alloys can contain up to 3% lead.
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Tiny split shots (weighing 0.06g or less) can still be sold if they come in spill-proof and child-resistant packaging.
EFTTA is pleased that the European Commission included these exemptions and urges EU Member States to approve them!
PHASE-OUT TIMELINE
The current proposal suggests:
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A 3-year phase-out for sinkers weighing 50g or less.
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A 5-year phase-out for sinkers above 50g.
=> EFTTA believes that this approach is unnecessarily complicated and proposes a straightforward and consistent approach to the phase-out of lead sinkers:
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A uniform 5-year transition period for all sinkers, regardless of weight. This would simplify implementation for manufacturers and retailers, and improve policing.
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However, for sinkers specifically designed to be lost or detached during angling EFTTA supports the proposed 6-month phase-out period once the law comes into effect.
WHY A USE BAN?
Some Member States hesitate to support a use ban, arguing that it is difficult to enforce. However, enforcement would require only occasional checks, similar to those conducted for fishing license compliance, and checks can be carried out on spot with a handheld XRF scanner*).
=> EFTTA strongly supports the ban because it:
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Prevents large-scale imports of illegal lead-containing fishing products.
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Reduces home smelting of lead sinkers, which is dangerous to health.
COMPLIANCE
Like fishing license checks, occasional random inspections would be enough to ensure compliance with the lead ban. More precise instruments can be placed in key locations across the country. If needed, positive samples can be sent there for further testing—similar to alcohol checks for drivers, where a breath test is followed by a lab test if necessary.
A stationary XRF scanner*) – like the one used in Denmark, can detect all metals and most phthalates. Handheld scanners could also be used at borders, ports, and airports to check imported products for lead (and phthalates eventually). This applies not only to fishing tackle but also to items like jewelry and toys.
NEXT STEPS
A final decision on the proposal is still months away.
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The current legislative proposal is discussed in the REACH Committee, which consists of representatives from Member States and is chaired by the European Commission. Normally, this process ensures that the final proposal won’t be blocked by the Council. However, the Parliament may still reject it.
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Once the European Commission publishes the final version of the legislative proposal, the Council (representing the Member States) and the European Parliament have three months to either accept or block it. At this stage, no amendments are possible.
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If either the Council or the Parliament blocks the proposal, the European Commission will most likely draft a new one, considering the reasons for the objection. Eventually, the Commission may have to restart the process using a different legislative procedure, which would allow the Parliament to propose amendments to the text.
EFTTA’s COMMITMENT
EFTTA has been involved in the development of these restrictions since 2019, working closely with ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) and EU policymakers to shape the proposed restrictions. We will continue to advocate for fair and practical regulations that support both environmental protection and the interests of the recreational angling community.
We encourage EU Member States to support the proposed exemptions and the simplified phase-out period for sinkers. EFTTA will keep stakeholders informed about further developments.
=> Why EFTTA support the Lead Restriction
