The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has been asked by DG Growth and DG Environment to prepare a restriction dossier for metallic lead. While any impact this will have on lead ammunition is currently unclear, BASC is monitoring the situation and is working closely with FACE, the association of European shooting organisations and Defra. The preparation of the dossier includes a socio-economic analysis and a risk assessment. BASC will be participating in these with FACE.
BASC understands that this process is in the context of an existing process (the 9th Adaptation to Technical Progress) which is considering lead as a substance toxic for human reproduction.
The likely sequence of events will be as follows:
• Commission discussions on the scope of the restriction are ongoing with a decision on what will be covered to be taken in late 2015/2016
• A vote in the Council of the EU on the classification of lead in the first quarter of 2016
• A public consultation to be carried out at the end of 2016
• Any restrictions or exemptions to be in place by 2017
Chairman of BASC Alan Jarrett said; “BASC will be fully engaged with this process and will be robust in representing the interests of those who shoot in the UK. We are already in discussion with our own government and through them, our representatives on the Council of the EU. While the implications for lead ammunition are as yet unclear, it is important to note that the Commission is taking action after attempts to convince member states to prepare a dossier for restriction failed. BASC’s position on lead ammunition remains ‘no sound evidence, no change’.”