Chinese light–bulb imports spark EU controversy

European consumers will probably have to wait another year before they see the prices of energy-saving light bulbs fall, following a Commission decision to extend anti-dumping duties on imports from China rather than scrap them immediately.

The Commission announced on 29 August 2007 that it would propose maintaining anti-dumping duties as high as 66% for another year in order to allow companies to adjust to changing market conditions. The delay appears to be a compromise between UK Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and German Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen.

The former had been pushing for an immediate end to the duties, saying that this would not only benefit consumers, but also companies such as the Dutch electronics group Philips, which outsource the production of bulbs to China.

However, Verheugen had opposed the move, claiming that it could cause job losses for Germany's national light-bulb manufacturer Osram, as below-cost imports from China begin flowing back into the bloc.