European Commission moves to classify certain lead products

The European Commission's departments for the environment and industry (DG Environment and DG Grow) have announced that lead in metallic form will soon be classified under the EU's Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulations, which are aimed at ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment from chemicals.

The Commission has asked the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) to produce a dossier for the possible restricted use of various lead products. Depending on the measured risks and socio-economic impact they find, they can then request restrictions or bans on the manufacture of certain products. The scope of the restriction dossier has yet to be defined, therefore the consequences for lead ammunition cannot yet be assessed.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "With an independent body taking charge of the process, the results will hopefully stand up to thorough scientific scrutiny. The Countryside Alliance will be working hard in cooperation with the European Federation of Associations of Hunting and Conservation (FACE) to showcase all the available scientific and relevant evidence regarding lead ammunition."

The Countryside Alliance will be present at in a Lead Symposium in Brussels on Tuesday (20 October), organised by the World Forum of Shooting Activities (WFSA). It will include a specific presentation from the EC Lead REACH Consortium Director where an update on the commission's decision will be put forward and discussions will take place.

Mr Bonner added: "Positive and forward-thinking debate is essential within the lead debate and this Symposium will serve as a stand point to move ahead. The Symposium shows that the shooting community is taking the issue extremely seriously and the results will be incredibly interesting."