ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency, wants to introduce stricter requirements for the handling of the lead residues on the shooting ramps.
Large investments are required if the proposal goes through, which could hit the biathlon associations hard.
Completely abandoning the lead bullet as ammunition in biathlon is a long process, but SVT's expert Björn Ferry believes that switching to electronic shooting is the most economical step to take.
- We shouldn't spread the lead in nature, that's what most people agree on, so then you have to find another type of ammunition or switch to lasers, and that's what I think biathlon and sport shooting will do over time.
You don't have to shoot sharp, says Ferry.
The lead bullet has the best accuracy
Attempts have been made to find a more environmentally friendly bullet than lead but with the same precision.
But so far nothing has been good enough, says national team shooting coach Johan Hagström.
- I know that the German defense tried to develop something instead of lead and they found something that worked just as well, but it was so much more expensive that there was no alternative to use, says Johan Hagström.
Replacement can take many years
Laser technology exists today, but Ferry believes that it will take a long time to possibly switch to it in biathlon entirely.
- It's like with the fluoride ban and stop herding, you can do it quite quickly, but it will be a long process because there are so many interests involved.
Is the sport of biathlon ready for such a big change?
- No, the sport is not at all ready for that, there is rarely anyone who is ready for big steps.
But look ahead, where will we be in 20 years?
If you see it, it is easier to realize that we live in a time of change and then you can take these steps quite quickly if you know that this is what we will do.
But if you see an opportunity to stay and just protest then you will do it, says Björn Ferry.