Progress made – but the job is not done yet
On 29 April 2026, Member State representatives in the REACH Committee adopted – by a small majority – the European Commission’s proposal restricting lead in fishing tackle.
The adopted proposal concerns the placing on the market (sales) of lead fishing tackle in the EU. The current compromise text no longer includes an EU-wide use ban for recreational fishing tackle, only for commercial fishing.
The proposal will now enter a three-month scrutiny period in the European Parliament and the Council. If no objections are raised, the legislation could formally enter into force later this year.
At this stage, the final legal text has not yet been officially published. The information below is therefore based on the latest available draft texts and informal information received by EFTTA.
Main transition periods
The current draft foresees the following transition periods:
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Lead fishing wires and drop-in sinkers: sales ban after 6 months
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Sinkers and lures weighing 50 g or less: sales ban after 3 years
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Sinkers and lures weighing more than 50 g up to 1 kg: sales ban after 5 years
Other key elements
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The restriction concerns only sales, not use
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Products may contain up to 1% lead by weight
Exempted from the restriction
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Lures made of copper alloys containing less than 3% lead by weight
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Split shot weighing 0.06 g or less when sold in spill-proof and child-resistant packaging
Transition & labelling requirements
The current draft also included warning and information requirements during the transition period for products containing lead. Further details on the expected labelling requirements are summarised in a separate article on the EFTTA website. As the final legal text has not yet been officially published, additional updates and guidance will follow once more clarity becomes available.
➡️ More information on labelling requirements for retailers
Transition to lead-free fishing already underway
Across Europe, the transition towards lead-free fishing is already accelerating.
In the Netherlands, for example, government authorities, Sportvisunie Nederland and the sector recently agreed on a roadmap aimed at significantly reducing and ultimately phasing out the use of lead in recreational fishing tackle over the coming years, alongside ongoing developments at EU level.
The market for lead-free alternatives is therefore expected to continue growing across Europe. Alternative materials increasingly promoted within the sector include:
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iron,
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stone,
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glass,
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and tungsten.
At the same time, materials such as zinc, tin and copper are often viewed critically due to their own environmental concerns.
Joint EFTTA–EAA position:
Sales-only restriction not enough – Use-ban needed as well
EFTTA, representing the recreational angling industry and EAA (European Anglers Alliance) representing the broader angling community, regret that the adopted proposal does not include an EU-wide use ban for recreational fishing.
Both organisations continue to believe that a sales-only restriction risks undermining the effectiveness of the transition. Without a broader and enforceable framework, including action on use, there is a significant risk of illegal imports, counterfeit products and homemade lead tackle continuing to circulate on the market.
A workable transition therefore requires:
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realistic timelines,
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practical implementation measures,
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legal certainty for industry and retailers,
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and fair and consistent rules for businesses and anglers alike.
Similar concerns regarding enforceability, industrial adaptation, supply-chain security and the limitations of a sales-only approach are increasingly being raised across the wider retail and manufacturing sector.
According to information available to EFTTA, the proposed use ban appears to have been rejected only by a narrow majority.
EFTTA and EAA will therefore continue lobbying during the upcoming scrutiny phase in the European Parliament and the Council. We encourage industry stakeholders, retailers, national federations and anglers to actively support these efforts with their national authorities and ministries.
A workable and enforceable framework at EU level – including an EU-wide use ban – remains essential both for environmental objectives and for ensuring a fair and realistic transition for Europe’s recreational fishing sector.
Important Note
The final legal text has not yet been officially published and details may still change during the legal finalisation process.
EFTTA and EAA will continue to keep members informed as further official information becomes available.
➡️ Joint EAA-EFTTA Statement June 2026
Links
➡️ https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/screen/meetings/CMTD%282026%29640
➡️ https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/screen/documents/110163/4
➡️ Basic text (EN)
https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/core/api/integration/ers/528344/110163/4/attachment
Other languages: Choose the “Other language” button
➡️ Annex (EN)
https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/core/api/integration/ers/528345/110163/4/attachment
Other languages: Choose the “Other language” button
