{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2005-231/introduction",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2005-231/introduction.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2005/231",
  "legislation_title": "Council Decision of 7 March 2005 authorising Sweden to apply a reduced rate of taxation to electricity consumed by households and service sector companies situated in certain areas in the north of Sweden in accordance with Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC (2005/231/EC)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2005-231",
  "path": "introduction",
  "kind": "introduction",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Introductory text",
  "text": "Council Decision\nof 7 March 2005\nauthorising Sweden to apply a reduced rate of taxation to electricity consumed by households and service sector companies situated in certain areas in the north of Sweden in accordance with Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC\n(2005/231/EC)\nTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,\nHaving regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,\nHaving regard to Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity, and in particular Article 19(1) thereof,\nHaving regard to the proposal from the Commission,\nWhereas:\n(1)\nBy letter of 20 August 2004, the Swedish authorities applied to the Commission for a derogation allowing them to apply a reduced rate of taxation to electricity consumed by households and service sector companies in the north of Sweden pursuant to Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC.\n(2)\nSince July 1981 a reduced energy tax rate has been applied in Sweden to electricity used in the northern parts of the country, where electricity consumption for heating purposes is on average 25 % higher than elsewhere in the country.\n(3)\nReducing the cost of electricity for households and service sector companies in the north of Sweden places those consumers on an equal footing with their counterparts in the southern parts of the country. The measure therefore has regional and cohesion policy objectives.\n(4)\nThe reduced level of taxation on electricity for consumption in the north of Sweden, which rate set out in Directive 2003/96/EC. Furthermore, the tax reduction is proportionate to the extra heating costs borne by households and service sector companies in northern Sweden. Consequently, that level of taxation should ensure that the incentive effect of taxation to increase energy efficiency is maintained.\n(5)\nThe reduction applied for has been reviewed by the Commission and has been found not to distort competition or hinder the operation of the internal market and it is not considered incompatible with Community policy on the environment, energy and transport.\n(6)\nThat approach is in line with the position taken by the Commission in the State aid Case C 42/03, where no objections were raised to the State aid element of the tax reduction for a period ending on 31 December 2005.\n(7)\nIt is therefore appropriate to authorise Sweden to apply a reduced rate of taxation to electricity for consumption in the north of Sweden until 31 December 2005,\nHAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "OJ L 283, 31.10.2003, p. 51. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/75/EC (OJ L 157, 30.4.2004, p. 100)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f2",
      "text": "OJ C 189, 9.8.2003, p. 6."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2005/231/introduction",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:17:58.124126+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}