Written Statement: The REACH (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (9 March 2026)

Members of the Senedd will wish to be aware I have given consent to the UK Government's Defra Secretary of State exercising a subordinate legislation-making power in a devolved area in relation to Wales.

In accordance with Article 4A(3) of (EC) No 1907/2006 ("UK REACH") Welsh Ministers' consent was sought from Baroness Hayman of Ullock to make a Statutory Instrument titled The REACH (Amendment) Regulations 2026 ("the Regulations") in relation to Wales.

The Regulations amend Annex XVII of the UK REACH. They introduce new restrictions on the use and placing on the market of ammunition continuing lead and its compounds. These changes align UK law with the latest scientific evidence and policy commitments to reduce environmental and health risks associated with lead in shooting activities.

The Regulations amend Annex XVII to add new entries and requirements for projectiles containing lead, including shot and other types of ammunition. The amendments set concentration limits for lead in projectiles and establish phase-out dates for their use at outdoor shooting ranges and in other contexts. Exemptions are provided for air weapons, elite athletes, certain shooting disciplines, and specific professional uses such as police, military, and technical testing.

Additional provisions require outdoor shooting ranges to implement risk reduction measures and maintain documentation for enforcement authorities. Labelling requirements are introduced for certain projectiles containing lead, and suppliers must keep records of sales to elite athletes.

Outdoor shooting ranges must keep documentation of risk reduction measures and submit specified information to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) at least every three years, or whenever there is a change. NRW is also required to establish, publish, and maintain a list of sites that have submitted this information, and may request documentation at any time to verify compliance. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action under the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008, including investigation, the issuing of notices, and potential prosecution. NRW will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements.

Each category of projectile and use is assigned a specific date by which its use or placing on the market is prohibited, with transitional arrangements for compliance. The overall aim is to reduce the risks posed by lead in ammunition to wildlife, livestock, soil, water, and public health, while providing proportionate exemptions for specific users and uses.

While the Welsh Government's general principle is that subordinate legislation in devolved areas should be made by the Welsh Ministers where there is executive competence, under UK REACH the Welsh Ministers do not have the power to make these Regulations themselves. Therefore, in this case it is considered appropriate for the Regulations to be made by the Secretary of State. I consider it appropriate for the substance of the UK Government's amendments to apply to Wales to ensure compliance with our environmental and public health commitments and maintain regulatory consistency across the UK.

The Regulations were made on 2 March 2026 by the Secretary of State in exercise of powers conferred by Articles 68(1), 73(2), and 132A of UK REACH and come into force on 1 April 2026.