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As the countdown to a ban on lead in fishing tackle across Europe gathers pace – although it is still a long way off – retailers have been given prior notice of new labelling requirements.
The European Commission has issued guidelines that will be included in the forthcoming legislation with the rules applying to labels on fishing sinkers and lures containing 1% of lead or more. Products with less will be exempt.
Retailers must clearly display warning signs at physical and online points of sale and packaging. The information must be in the official language of the country where the product is sold or for online sales in the targeted country.
The labelling must include the following warnings:
- Contains lead – highly toxic to the environment and harmful to fertility or unborn children;
- EU restrictions on lead use – including phase out dates for different products;
- More information available on the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) website, including details of lead-free alternatives.
The labelling will apply six months after the law takes effect. Restrictions themselves will take effect gradually over three to five years depending on the product.
The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA), which has been working with the European lawmakers in drafting up the legislation, supports most of the proposed restrictions and agrees with the ban on the sale and use of fishing wires, sinkers and lures containing 1% or more of lead.
It also supports the ‘immediate’ – after six months – ban on sinkers that are designed to be lost or detached during fishing (drop-in sinkers).
EFTTA says it has secured what it describes as two ‘important exemptions’:
- Lures made from copper alloys can contain up to 3% of lead;
- Tiny split shot – weighing 0.6gr or less – can still be sold in spill-proof or child-resistant packaging.
The current phase-in of proposals suggest three years for sinkers weighing 50gr or less and five years for those over 50gr.
Like fishing licence checks, occasional random inspections are deemed enough to ensure compliance with the lead ban. More precise instruments can be placed in key locations across the country if needed with positive samples sent for testing – similar to alcohol checks where a breath test is necessary.
To check imported products for lead, a stationary XRF scanner – like those used in Denmark -can be used at borders, ports and airports.
“EFTTA has been involved in the development of these restrictions since 2019, working closely with the ECHA and EU policymakers to shape the legislation,” says the body that represents the trade in Europe.
“We will continue to advocate for fair and practical regulations that support both environment protection and the interests of the recreational angling community.
“We also strongly support the proposed exemptions and the simplified phase-out period of sinkers.”
