Energy saving light bulbs

The Commission's proposal is to keep the tariff on Chinese energy saving light bulbs for one additional year and then to scrap the import duties.

The EU imposed the duties in 2001 to shield European producers from the import and sale of Chinese bulbs on the EU market at below-cost price. In a completely opaque comitology procedure, the 27 Member States have now one month to consider the commission's proposal and accept its recommendation to extend the duties for an additional year. 

Since the EU consumers will continue to pay far more for energy saving light bulbs than without the duties, the potential of energy savings will be strongly reduced in a time where urgent action is needed to tackle climate change.

The Greens are committed to fight for an early ban of energy wasting light bulbs.

For the full information:

See the press release of the European Commission
See also the press release of WWF