Swedish rules on ammunition containing lead
Ammunition in the form of lead shot may not be used in Sweden for hunting in wetlands or hunting in shallow areas of open water. Nor may lead shot be used for shooting that is not for hunting purposes, such as sport shooting. The purpose of the ban is to reduce the occurrence of lead in the environment.
Ban on lead in ammunition
Lead is a metal that can cause injury to the nervous system and result in impaired intellectual development and performance. Lead can cause injury even in very small doses, especially to the brain during fetal development and to infants. There are also significant environmental risks when lead is released into the environment, such as when hunting with the use of lead ammunition. Since sea birds can easily ingest shot, there are strong environmental reasons for not having lead in ammunition that is used in wetlands.
Exemption from the ban
Despite the general ban, shot containing lead may in certain cases be used for shooting that is not for hunting purposes, according to the exemption stated in 14c § of the Ordinance. This applies if there are no acceptable unleaded alternatives to the use of lead shot, such as when taking shooting tests for the hunting exam. That said, there is no exemption from the ban regarding the use of lead shot for hunting on wetlands or in shallow water.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has also issued regulations on an exemption from the ban, which means that lead shot may be used in certain types of shooting sports at international level.
New and impending restriction within the EU
The European Commission has decided on a ban on the use of lead gunshot in or within a hundred meters of wetland areas. The ban also covers carrying any such gunshots while out wetland shooting or as part of going wetland shooting. The rules have been incorporated in Annex XVII (post 63) of the REACH Regulation and apply in all countries within the EU/EEA from 16 February 2023.
Work is also underway to extend the restriction of lead in ammunition for hunting and to restrict lead in ammunition for sport shooting and in fishing tackle.