Tax Tightrope

Glassmakers in the EU could be faced with hefty energy tax payments despite earlier belief that the industry would be exempted from the tax, as it is one of the mineralogical process sectors. Proposals by Denmark, backed strongly by Austria and Sweden, would reverse that position and lay open glassmakers to heavy new tax burdens. Belgium has made a counter proposal which would in effect exempt glass from the tax, and CPIV is lobbying heavily in support of it. CPIV is also concerned about proposals for the Chemicals Directive, which it believes could face the glass industry with major issues if the environments have their way.