The government's new proposal to increase the tax is receiving strong criticism in Svensk Elektronik's consultation response. Our members are largely small and medium-sized companies and this tax entails a disproportionately large administrative burden, without providing a demonstrably better environment. Instead of increasing the tax, we believe that the tax should be abolished as soon as possible. It is inefficient, cumbersome and harms Swedish competitiveness.<\/p>\n
The purpose of the tax is said to be to improve the environment, but it is difficult to demonstrate the environmental effects if you look at it from the seams. The tax can even drift in the exact opposite direction. Since it is the weight of the product that determines which tax is levied, for example, a product with a metal casing receives a higher tax than if it had a plastic casing. Metal is often required in industrial contexts to meet other requirements and metal can be fully recycled. Plastic contains much more unwanted chemicals. This is just one of many aspects of how the tax is ineffective.<\/p>\n
Overall, the tax is a bit like \u201dselling the butter and losing the money.\u201d.<\/p>\n
Here are our views in summary:<\/p>\n