– The shoemaking profession has become quite versatile. People come here with everything in the world, says shoemaker Pål Blom Bohre in Arendal. He is happy that the government will now sort out the possibility of VAT exemptions for repairs and used goods. He himself fixes everything from boat hulls and jewellery, to shoes and axes. – It makes no sense for repairs to be penalized for those who come. So I think it sounds absolutely fantastic with a VAT exemption, says Bohre. Exemption from VAT on used goods and repairs has been a wish of many over the past year. In this way, consumption can be reduced and contribute to reaching climate targets. Pål Blom Bohre repairing a used shoe. Photo: Benedicte Goa Ludvigsen / news Working with an action plan This week the topic was brought up in a debate during Arendal Week. State Secretary Kjersti Bjørnstad (Sp) from the Ministry of Climate and the Environment says taxes and levies can be part of the solution. – At the same time, we have to develop new products that can be reused and repaired. We must also ensure that we have craftsmen who can do the job, says Bjørnstad. She says that work is now being done on an action plan for a circular economy where the “toolbox” will be filled with various measures. – There is everything from practical measures to legal regulations and changes that take longer to sort out and introduce. State Secretary for Climate and the Environment Kjersti Bjørnstad. Photo: Benedicte Goa Ludvigsen / news New goods are too cheap Economics professor Jarle Møen was part of the government’s tax committee and was present during the debate at Arendal Week. He believes that the problem with obtaining VAT exemption does not lie in the market for reuse and repair, but that new goods are too cheap. – They pollute in the countries where they are produced and the countries do not have an adequate environmental policy. That makes it demanding to put an effective environmental policy in place in Norway, says Møen. He believes that the simplest move within VAT exemption will be to remove VAT on reuse. “In” with reuse Wenche Sandtveit stops by in the backyard of shoemaker Blom to pick up a pair of sandals she has had repaired. Sandtveit welcomes the proposal for VAT exemption on repairs and used goods. – Now recycling is “in” and it will be cheaper for customers. It is also good for the environment, she says. Skomakar Blom says that it is the oldest people who are the best at repairing their things, but that they also have 12-year-olds come in with ransacks that they want to fix. – They probably learn a lot at school about not throwing things away and that we have to take care of nature, he says.
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Must sort out VAT exemption on reuse and repairs – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
