EC slammed for anti-dumping tax proposal

The European Commission’s proposal to extend anti-dumping duties on energy saving light bulbs fromChinaby another year has been slammed as “expensive and against competitiveness” by the Eurocommerce association and the BRC.

The organisation, which acts for the interests of retailers, wholesalers and international trade in Brussels, claims that the tax extension would not save any jobs and instead penalise companies having to modernise their production in good time so that they can remain competitive.

It also says that the proposal means European consumers will have to wait a year before the market prices of energy saving light bulbs fall.

Eurocommerce secretary general Xavier Durieu said: “Whatever position the commission takes on trade policy and environmental concerns, by raising the prices of energy efficient bulbs the EU runs counter to its own plans.”