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> I recently was looking for lead free solder [...]

I went looking for leaded solder(!) recently.

Turned out it's got quite hard to buy in the EU, but I was able to purchase it online from a US supplier and have it shipped.

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I needed leaded solder recently too for a vintage audio project, I'm in the UK and while it was a bit of a faff to track it down initially I was able to order some locally. Might get better shipping buying from the UK next time!

I don't know where you guys are looking - both Farnell and RS Components, which are UK based and among the suppliers I use the most at work, stock leaded solder. There are other suppliers more local to me that stock it as well.

It's not like it's banned or anything, it's just not allowed to be used in (most) consumer electronics.

That's odd I remember checking Farnell because I use them myself, I guess I must have forgotten my coffee that day and missed it.

There have been reports of RS Online having refused orders from UK consumers saying that:

"It is restricted to professional users and cannot be supplied to the general public (non-trade customers)"

Are RS Online gold-plating the regulations? Probably. I bought from Digikey USA instead.

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