EU moves to phase out sales of lead sinkers and lures — use still legal for now

On April 29, 2026, EU member states on the REACH Committee adopted the Commission’s proposal to restrict sales of lead fishing tackle. Recreational anglers are not banned from using lead they already own. Commercial fishing faces both sales and use limits. The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) said the legal text was still being finalized after a three-month scrutiny period.

The draft phase-in, as EFTTA summarized it: lead fishing wires and drop-in sinkers — sales ban six months after entry into force; sinkers and lures 50 g or less — three years; over 50 g up to 1 kg — five years. Products under 1 percent lead by weight stay legal. Copper-alloy lures under 3 percent lead, and tiny split shot in child-resistant packaging, are exempt.

EFTTA and the European Anglers Alliance wanted a use ban too, arguing a sales-only rule invites imports and homemade lead. For U.S. shops and traveling anglers, the practical point is the European shelf will shift toward iron, stone, glass, and tungsten. That changes what gets made and what shows up in catalogs here.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: European Fishing Tackle Trade Association, REACH Committee adopts EU lead restrictions for fishing tackle, April 29, 2026 (updated through summer 2026 scrutiny). See also Angling International, Aug. 18, 2026.