The REACH (Amendment) Regulations 2026 were made on 2 March 2026, laid before Parliament on 3 March, and come into force on 1 April 2026. They extend to the United Kingdom and apply in relation to England, Wales and Scotland. The Scottish and Welsh Ministers have consented. The instrument amends Annex 17, entry 63 of UK REACH to restrict the use and placing on the market of lead in projectiles used with firearms, following the Secretary of State’s 27 June 2025 decision and the Health and Safety Executive’s dossier under Article 69, as set out in Defra’s decision notice published on 10 July 2025. (gov.uk)
The core restrictions are staged. From 1 April 2028, “other projectiles”-bullets and slugs that are not shot-containing lead at or above 3% by weight must not be used at outdoor shooting ranges. From 1 April 2029, placing on the market or using shot with at least 1% lead and other projectiles with at least 3% lead is prohibited, subject to specified derogations. (gov.uk)
Outdoor ranges can disapply the 2028 prohibition on other projectiles where they have taken action to reduce risks, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ruminants and grazing wildlife, soil and water. Operators must maintain documentation, submit details to the enforcing authority at least once every three years, update the authority on any changes, and make records available on request. The enforcing authority must publish and maintain a list of sites that have submitted or updated this information.
Further carve-outs apply. The restrictions on other projectiles do not apply to calibres under 6.17 millimetres used for live‑quarry shooting (including zeroing). In parallel, the Regulations provide a specific carve‑out for air weapons and confirm that indoor target shooting remains within scope of permitted uses for other projectiles. These provisions retain small‑calibre live‑quarry and indoor disciplines while larger calibres transition to non‑lead alternatives. (press.hse.gov.uk)
From 1 April 2029, suppliers of other projectiles with lead at or above 3% and a calibre of 6.17 millimetres or more must ensure packaging carries the statement “Must not be used for live quarry shooting”. The label must be indelible, visible at the point of sale and on any online product page, and clearly distinct from other information. (gov.uk)
A targeted derogation applies to lead shot for elite athletes. An athlete selected by a National Olympic or Paralympic Committee in a discipline that uses lead shot, or one in training who meets medal‑achievement and financial‑provision criteria, may continue to use or obtain lead shot. They must notify the Agency every 12 months with specified evidence, and notify any in‑year changes. The Agency acknowledges receipt, specifying when the notification expires, and maintains a record. Suppliers must keep purchaser details and volumes and provide these to the Agency annually or on change. (press.hse.gov.uk)
Projectiles covered by certificate conditions specifying they are not to be fired fall outside the new restrictions. Exemptions also apply for police purposes, government security service purposes, Border Force, military use, private maritime security companies, manufacturer testing, proofing and development, forensic analysis, academic research, and museum collections licensed under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988.
Administration sits within existing UK REACH structures. HSE acts as the Agency for UK REACH in Great Britain, while enforcement is via the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008. HSE has indicated the restriction would prevent about 7,000 tonnes of lead entering the environment annually and that around 95% of outdoor ranges already operate relevant risk controls, framing both the scale of benefit and the practicality of compliance. (press.hse.gov.uk)
Territorial scope is confined to Great Britain. The Regulations apply in England, Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland is unaffected, reflecting that UK REACH operates in Great Britain and different arrangements apply there. Stakeholders operating across the UK should plan compliance accordingly. (press.hse.gov.uk)
Analysis: Operators of outdoor ranges should evidence risk‑reduction measures, keep documentation audit‑ready, and ensure three‑year submissions are in place well ahead of April 2028. Manufacturers, importers and retailers should map product lines against the 1% and 3% thresholds, implement packaging and e‑commerce labelling changes for April 2029, and establish data capture for elite‑athlete supplies. Clubs and shoots should confirm calibre classifications against the 6.17 millimetre threshold and review purchasing policies.
The timetable is now fixed. The Regulations commence on 1 April 2026. From 1 April 2028, other projectiles with 3% or more lead cannot be used at outdoor ranges unless the range meets the documented derogation conditions. From 1 April 2029, most placing on the market and use of lead shot at 1% or more, and other projectiles at 3% or more, is prohibited, with the new labelling requirements also live from that date.