Renew MEP Billy Kelleher has asked the European Commission to consider adding sun cream products to Annex II of the VAT Directive, which would allow EU member states to apply reduced VAT rates to them. In a parliamentary question submitted on 17 June 2026, Kelleher argues that skin cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in the EU and that rising temperatures due to global warming will increase UV exposure. He points to Australia's successful reduction in skin cancer incidence among under-40s through decisive action decades ago. Currently, sun cream is classified as a cosmetic product and subject to a minimum VAT rate of 15%. Kelleher's question frames the measure as part of the EU's Beating Cancer Plan, focusing on prevention by making healthy choices more affordable for consumers. The question does not specify a target VAT rate or deadline, but seeks a policy signal from the Commission. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will indicate whether it is open to amending the VAT Directive to include sun cream, which would require unanimous approval from member states. If adopted, the change could lower consumer prices for sun cream, potentially increasing usage and reducing skin cancer rates, but would also reduce VAT revenue for national budgets and could face opposition from member states concerned about fiscal implications or the precedent of reclassifying cosmetic products.
Source📩 Open question ↗