REACH restriction on lead in rimfire ammunition
8.10.2025
Question for written answer E-003959/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Riho Terras (PPE)
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has confirmed that lead-free alternatives for rimfire bullets are either not available or unsuitable for hunting, and that manufacturers face technical barriers to developing functional alternatives[1]. The Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) has also recognised these limitations[2].
In the proposed restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals[3] (REACH Regulation), the Commission foresees prohibiting the use of rimfire bullets of any calibre for hunting, with a 10-year transitional period and no review clause.
Can the Commission clarify:
- 1.How it considers that this proposed restriction complies with Article 68(1) of the REACH Regulation, in particular the requirement for technically feasible alternatives?
- 2.How the socio-economic impacts have been assessed, given that, at the end of the transitional period, hunters using rimfire rifles would effectively be unable to continue their activity?
Submitted: 8.10.2025
- [1] ECHA, Background Document, 2.12.2022, p. 312; and ECHA, Annex to the Background Document, 2.12.2022, p. 428.
- [2] Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and SEAC, Opinion on an Annex XV dossier proposing restrictions on lead and its compounds, 2.12.2022, p. 60.
- [3] OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj (http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj).