Denmark faces a challenge over its bid to ban from November, the production or sale of any products that contain lead in any form. An EU member state or the entire European Commission will probably challenge Denmark's action in the European Court of Justice if it is not reversed. While not targeting the tableware industry, the ban would eliminate the sale and use of leaded crystal and tableware decorated with lead-bearing colours. It would also, theoretically, eliminate the use of car batteries, emergency generators, televisions, computers and other essential products that all contain lead. Before it can enact the trade-restricting ban, Denmark must respond to other EU governments' detailed objections to the ban. As a result, the EU has filed and then extended a 3-month standstill period preventing the regulations from taking effect.
