2025.07.01
Abolish the electronics tax, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise suggests in a new report "A new chemicals policy for Sweden"”
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, which represents the business community in Sweden and brings together 60,000 companies and 48 industry and employer organizations, recently presented a proposal for a well-developed chemicals policy for Sweden. And we can read in the report that such a policy is needed. National strategies exist for other policy areas such as climate, life science, food. But for chemicals policy in Sweden, a comprehensive approach is lacking, according to the report. Now the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise wants to remedy this.
Source: Confederation of Swedish Enterprise / excerpt from the report
A complete transillumination
The report from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise is, to say the least, a complete introduction to a new chemicals policy and the proposals for change are based on two overarching assumptions:
- Protecting human health and supporting a toxic-free environment: by reducing exposure to hazardous substances, both people and the environment are protected. A high level of protection creates security and is in line with the EU's chemicals strategy.
- Promote the competitiveness of the business sector for the good of society and people: chemicals are crucial for industrial production, innovation and societal development. Policy needs to create the conditions for investment, supply, recycling and transition.
23 concrete proposals for "action"”
The report reviews no less than 23 different proposals that could form the framework for a new, much-needed chemicals policy in Sweden and that would meet the objectives presented by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. These include, for example, proposals that simplify processes for companies and increase the possibilities for more effective monitoring by responsible authorities and to achieve better "flow" in chemicals issues through greater Swedish involvement in the EU and, for example, to appoint a chemicals coordinator in the Government Offices.
Proposal No. 13 – abolish the electronics tax
One of the proposals in the report specifically addresses the electronics tax for white goods, vacuum cleaners and home electronics. In the report we read the following:
Content of proposals: The Swedish electronics tax, also known as the chemicals tax, is a special regulation in Sweden with questionable social benefit. It is a tax that has been shown to lack the intended control effect of reducing hazardous substances in products.
Operationalization: Abolish the tax as soon as possible.
Consequences: Better competitiveness for Swedish companies in a global market, reduced regulatory burden and burdensome administration, and better incentives for more circular business models.
And the proposal is justified in the report in this way:
Beyond direct legislation, the Swedish electronics tax, also known as the chemicals tax, is a special regulation in Sweden with questionable environmental benefits. It is a tax that has proven to lack the intended steering effect to phase out bromine, chlorine and phosphorus in electronics and white goods as well as functional chemicals used in flame retardants to meet product safety requirements. The tax is also an obstacle to, for example, trade in used goods from abroad, as the tax constitutes a larger proportion of the price compared to new goods.
The collective assessment of the Swedish business community has always been that the tax should never have been introduced and that it should be abolished urgently. Restrictions on chemicals should preferably be handled at the EU level through REACH and also the RoHS and WEEE directives when it comes to electronics specifically.
Do what makes a difference right away
Several of the proposals in the report can be decided and started immediately, require limited investigative efforts and have a rapid impact. They also address bottlenecks in the current system, are relatively uncontroversial and can deliver results within months rather than years, the report says. Here are some of these necessary ”quick action” proposals that can be implemented immediately:
• Give clear assignments to the Swedish Chemicals Agency and other relevant authorities: New guidance function and increased dialogue with the business community. Creates better support for implementing legislation.
• Expand resources for supervision and guidance: Improves regulatory compliance, legal certainty and competitive neutrality. Has an immediate impact on companies and regulators.
• Start assignments on simplified administration and reporting review. Abolish the electronics tax: Reduces the burden on businesses directly.
Download the report in its entirety
For those of you who want to get an overview of what needs to be done with Swedish chemicals policy, the full report from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise is available for download here:
