The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently consulting on the proposal to include lead metal to become subject to authorisation under the Full Text of Annex 14 of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 on the Registration, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). The consultation, which runs from 2 February 2022 until 2 May 2022, aims to increase the control of the use of lead in production, construction and manufacturing, with certain exceptions.
Lead was identified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) as it is classified as toxic for reproduction and may damage unborn children and cause harm to breast-fed children. Lead was included in the Candidate List for authorisation on 27 June 2018, following ECHA's decision.
The amount of lead that is manufactured and/or imported to the EU exceeds 1,000,000 tonnes per year. It is estimated that more than 90% of the total amount of lead metal that is manufactured and/or imported to the EU is used for purposes falling within the scope of authorisation.
It was identified that the vast majority of the lead used in the EU is through the production of batteries (84%), other uses involve rolled and extruded products (6%), ammunition (4%), lead compounds (4%), cable sheathing (1%) and miscellaneous, including alloys and solders (1%).
This consultation aims to gather information from the users, producers and suppliers of lead and lead products on the proposed authorisation and the impact it may have on their business and supply chain. Following the outcome, the ECHA can determine whether such a move would be feasible and chose options to mitigate the negative impacts of the proposed authorisation and develop alternative products to substitute the use of lead.
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