UK mulls action over bulb U-turn

The UK government is considering taking legal action against the European Commission over its decision to postpone the lifting of duties on imports of energy-saving light bulbs from China.

According to a London-based lawyer close to the case, the UK has been consulting lawyers over the procedural anomalies that led Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to drop plans to abolish the duties immediately.

Mandelson announced last week that the duties would remain in effect for another year, having come under significant pressure from fellow-Commissioner Günter Verheugen. The latter was arguing for more time to protect German manufacturer Osram.

"It’s serious in the sense that it would set a precedent," said the lawyer. "If this proposal goes through we’ve created a precedent where policymaking is done by commissioners going against the advice of experts."

UK trade delegates are also said to have been talking to Dutch firm Philips, which outsources the manufacturing of its light bulbs to China and would hence be adversely affected by Mandelson’s shift in strategy.

The UK is lobbying member states to block Mandelson’s plans ahead of a vote at a meeting of the anti-dumping committee on 13 September. But earlier discussions on proposals indicate that it may prove difficult for the UK to muster support.

The tussle comes ahead of Mandelson’s review of the EU’s trade defence system, planned for 17 October. Making reference to the light bulbs case, the commissioner on Monday (3 September) commented on the difficulties of tackling unfair trade in the era of globalisation.

Imposing punitive measures in the light bulbs case, he said, would fly in the face of "stated policy on energy conservation and the realities of production in Europe". Phasing out duties over the course of a year would, however, "allow time for adjustment to new patterns of trade and production".

The UK government is considering taking legal action against the European Commission over its decision to postpone the lifting of duties on imports of energy-saving light bulbs from China.