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Reducing energy consumption is one matter, changing Newtonian physics quite another (Most powerful vacuum cleaner models banned, 22 August). If two vacuum cleaners have identical mechanical efficiency, but one is twice as powerful as the other, the more powerful cleaner will pick up more dust.
The new EU rules on wattage will simply extend the time required to remove the same amount of dust, or leave rooms dirtier. If they banned powerful kettles, we’d take longer to make tea.
For people with dust allergies, the outlook is grim. There will be more dust in their houses, and more cost to their purses as they have to change bags more often. Bagless vacuum cleaners, with dusty, dirty emptying, are not an option for the very allergic.
It would be good to see other manufacturers join forces with James Dyson in seeking the judicial review of this legislation that he intends to obtain. The grounds for such a review patently exist. The EU’s ecodesign requirements state that they “should not affect functionality from the end-user’s perspective”, which they will; and “should not negatively affect health, safety or the environment”.
Isn’t it better to introduce good testing and labelling so that we can choose more easily between products?
Nigel Pollitt
London
• I wonder when in the interests of climate change the EU will get round to banning the most powerful cars?
Ah, I forgot, only little people push vacuums around.
Martin Jeeves
Cardiff
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