Environmental Regulatory Bans on Propellant Import to the EU (REACH initiative)

The European Union through REACH regulations has banned import and manufacture of many firearm propellants that use chemicals with known acute/chronic toxic and endocrine disruptor activities. These propellant chemicals include 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), nitroglycerine and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Affected commercial powders include most Hodgdon and legacy IMR powders (e.g, H4895, H335, IMR 4895, Varget, IMR 8208 XBR) as well as many General Dynamics powders. REACH regulations can be expected to affect propellant manufacturing in the US and other countries since commercial and military producers and contractors will want to be able to sell/ship their propellants and loaded ammunitions to countries in the European Union.

REACH – Regulation (EC) 1907/2006

REACH Annex XIV Substances in Commercial Rifle Powders:

Varget: 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT)
IMR 8208 XBR: 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT)
H4895: 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT)
H335: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
IMR 4166: Not affected by REACH
Vihtavuori N140: Not affected by REACH
AR Comp: Not affected by REACH
CFE 223: Not affected by REACH
Lovex S062: Not affected by REACH

References:

Handloading Bench by Laurie Holland, July 30, 2021
HANDLOADING BENCH BY LAURIE HOLLAND | Target Shooter Magazine

The Reach Impact on Gun Propellant Formulations. J. Böhnlein-Mauß, H. Kröber, Prop., Explos., Pyrotech. 2017, 42, 54.
https://doi.org/10.1002/prep.201600183

Impact of European REACH Regulations on DoD and Military Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers, Version 7 September 14, 2015. R. Alexander and K. Legg. Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. www.serdp-estcp.org