In news that’s largely flown under the radar here in Australia (gee, wonder why?), the EU is now *this* bloody close to scrapping the controversial ‘tampon tax’ that continues to piss off women the world over.
Largely driven by UK PM David Cameron, a vote to allow European Union member states more flexibility on reducing the value added tax (VAT) on goods -with a special provision to apply zero tax on tampons and sanitary pads – was unanimously adopted by 28 country leaders at a summit on March 17.
As it currently stands, the UK and any other state wanting to give female hygiene products (along with other sanitary products) an exemption on VAT had to get the EU’s express permission to do so; when this new resolution is passed into law, that’ll no longer be the case.
Formal summit conclusions state:
“[The] European Council … welcomes the intention of the Commission to include proposals for increased flexibility for member states with respect to reduced rates of VAT, which would provide the option to all member states of VAT zero rating for sanitary products”.
It’s expected the UK will lead the way in choosing not to impose a tampon tax, which makes a lot of sense; right now, items on its tax exclusion list include jaffa cakes, exotic meats (ie. kangaroo, crocodile), flapjacks and herbal tea while it’s a bit fat NOPE for sanitary items.
This yuuuugeeeee win for the anti-tampon tax movement comes after Canada became 1st nation to bit it completely in July last year, placing tampons, pads and menstrual cups on the nationwide tax exclusion list following public pressure.
Here at home, the women on Australia continue to pay GST on sanitary products, tampons, and pads because they’re considered a ‘luxury product’ by mostly-male politicians, while sunscreen, condoms and incontinence pads are tax-free.
LOOK TO THE EU AND DO THE RIGHT THING, TURNBULL.
Source: NY Mag.
Photo: The Greatest Movie Of All Time.
