Lead gunshot: Parliament rejects attempts to block EU-wide restriction

The European Parliament rejected two objections to the Commission regulation restricting lead in gunshot under REACH on 8 October 2026. The motion from the ECR group received 166 votes in favour and 346 against, with 21 abstentions. The PfE group’s motion received 193 in favour and 333 against, with 22 abstentions. According to BirdLife Europe, the vote clears the way for the restriction.

Under the Commission’s draft text, sent to the Council in July 2026, hunters would have seven years after the rules enter into force to stop using lead gunshot, and rules for sports shooting would be delayed by the same period. Sports shooting could continue to use the lead shot sizes used in competitions at ranges that meet safety requirements, and the Commission says this exemption should be reviewed…