Warning over 'price hikes' on electrical goods
The Government is giving retailers a free run to exploit consumers by hiking up prices of electrical goods, it was claimed today.
The Waste Electrical, Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which came into force on Saturday, means that producers will have to pay the cost of recycling old fridges and washing machines.
The Labour Party today claimed prices of new goods are being increased disproportionately to the cost of recycling the old products.
Consumer Affairs spokesperson Kathleen Lynch said: “In some instances hundreds of euro were added to the cost of large electrical goods – such as plasma televisions because retailers saw an open opportunity to exploit the consumer.”
The Cork North Central TD accused Environment Minister of presiding over the chaotic implementation of the WEEE directive.
“There was significant confusion in many stores over the weekend.
“Customers either found that the price of goods had rocketed overnight, or were presented with an extra levy when they presented goods for purchase at the till,” she explained.
“Direct responsibility for this lies with Minister Roche and the bungled manner in which he legislated for the charge.
“Rather than impose the charge on the producer, he has allowed the large companies who manufacture and sell electrical goods to get away scott free.”
Ms Lynch insisted that the ‘polluter pays principle’ should strictly apply in relation to the WEEE directive.
“The weekend’s evidence must make him revise the regulations to stop retailers seizing on the new charges as an opportunity to hike prices ever further upwards,” she concluded.
