Prohibition of lead in wetlands and confusion on how to interpret Commission proposal
6.2.2020
Question for written answer E-000744/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)
On 4 February 2020, the Commission presented a new proposal to revise the existing REACH Regulation [1] . In the proposal, the Commission sought to add lead to the list of banned substances, banning not only the use but also the mere possession of lead in wetlands and within a radius of 300 metres of them. However, the definition of a wetland is so unclear and disproportionately broad that even a temporary water surface formed after a rain shower could be considered a wetland [2] . De facto, this would amount to a blanket ban on lead because, as far as the Czech Republic is concerned, the term wetland could be applied to at least 25% of the land area. However, the ban on possession would also apply to the remaining area, as it is hard to imagine transporting ammunition from a safe at home to a shooting range while ensuring that is always kept 300 metres away from any source of water when travelling.
Has the Commission consulted all stakeholders, and in particular practical operators, on the text of the proposal?
Does the Commission intend to clarify the definition in the interest of legal certainty?
- [1] Draft Commission regulation amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards lead and its compounds.
- [2] ‘Wetland’ means areas of marshes, fens, peatlands and areas covered by water, whether natural or man-made, permanent or temporary, with standing or flowing water that is freshwater, brackish or saltwater, including areas with sea water of less than six metres at low tide.