24 April 2007
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to levy a tax on energy inefficient light bulbs so that their long term financial and environmental cost is visible in their retail price."
Details of petition:
"Old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs contribute to climate change, and cost more in the long term for the consumer. New fluorescent bulbs are better for the environment, and the pocket. We would like the Prime Minister to make these long terms costs visible in the retail price of lightbulbs. This would be done by levying a tax on inefficient bulbs, and subsidising efficient bulbs."
Read the Government’s response here
The Government acknowledges the benefits of energy saving light bulbs both in terms of reducing carbon emissions and reducing energy bills for consumers and aims to be the first European country to phase out inefficient GLS bulbs for the majority of domestic use by 2011.
Under existing European agreements the Government is unable to unilaterally regulate against the sale of inefficient bulbs, however the EU’s Ecodesign of Energy-using Products (EuP) Framework Directive will bring forward measures to improve the efficiency of a range of electronic and energy-using products within the EU. Under the EuP Directive, Member States have agreed to establish new European legislation to increase the efficiency of light bulbs by 2009, with a phase out likely in the years thereafter.
In advance of EU regulation, the Chancellor recently announced that the Government is working with UK manufacturers, retailers and trade associations, with the aim of becoming by 2011 the first European country to phase out the use of inefficient general lighting service (GLS) light bulbs, where an efficient alternative exists. This will reduce UK carbon emissions by up to 1.2 MtC a year by 2020 and lead to a saving of around £30 on average household energy bills.
To encourage the purchase of low energy light bulbs, the Government has also written to European Finance Ministers and the European Commission to recommend the introduction of a reduced VAT rate for energy efficient products.
The EU Energy labelling scheme which, for domestic light bulbs has been mandatory since 1 January 2001, already provides clear and easily recognisable information about the energy consumption and performance of domestic products on a 7-point scale ranging from "A" (most efficient) to "G" (least efficient), thus enabling consumers to make a considered choice when purchasing energy-using products.
The Government remains fully committed to raising product standards for all products and encouraging consumers to use the most efficient products using the best targeted and most cost-effective measures.