Price of oven gloves to rise… after Brussels diktat

THE price of oven gloves is set to soar after new European Union safety rules came into law yesterday. MEPs yesterday approved plans to ensure that all oven gloves are tested and certified to prove they can withstand heat of up to 200 degrees Celsius – meaning existing ones may have to be pulled from the shelves.

European Commission proposals for ‘decorative’ washing-up gloves and oven gloves to be included in the legislation were scrapped – but any oven gloves marketed as being protective will have to undergo the tests.

Rubber gloves will also have to be tested to ensure they can withstand everyday kitchen detergents and cleaning products.

The government, which had described the move as ‘completely bonkers’ and an ‘EU power grab for our kitchen sinks’, unsuccessfully voted against the legislation in a meeting of ministers.

The diktat came into law after MEPs gave it the final seal of approval at the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday. A British government spokesman said: ‘We’re fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain – so we get a better deal for our country and secure our future.

‘While this particular outcome may be disappointing, we are making good progress working with other members states who share our interest in making Europe more competitive and getting rid of unnecessary burdens for businesses and consumers.’