Five directives from the EU we’ll be glad to see the back of

EU working time directive

The directive, which has been phased into British law since 1998, is a source of acute frustration for surgeons and medical staff. Many believe it deprives them of the chance to perform enough procedures to become fully competent because of the strictures it imposes on shift patterns.

The directive guarantees employment terms such as a maximum 48hour week and four weeks of paid holiday per year, as well as rules on hours of rest for shift workers.

While individual workers can ask to be exempted from the directive, NHS trusts are obliged to draw up rotas that meet the rules. This often means that doctors who are on call, but who sleep undisturbed through their shift, are nevertheless sent home “to rest” when they could take part in training.

Bendy bananas

In 1994 the European Commission drew up regulation 2257/94, which stated that bananas in general should as a minimum be “free from malformation or abnormal curvature of the fingers”. Under the regulation “extra” class bananas must be “free from defects” while class 1 bananas can have “slight defects of shape” while class 2 bananas are allowed to have “defects of shape”. The regulation was repeatedly highlighted by Boris Johnson during the EU referendum campaign.

Green energy

The EU renewable energy directive requires the UK to generate 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 – up from just three per cent when the directive was adopted in 2009. That’s not just electricity but also energy used in heating and transport.

The target has led to Government subsidies for renewable power sources such as wind, solar and biomass power plants, which are ultimately paid for by customers through their energy bills. The National Audit Office estimated that green energy subsidies will cost every household £110 a year by 2020.

Great crested newt

The great crested newt is endangered in some parts of Europe, but remains fairly common in England. However under the EU habitats directive, which covers all 28 member states, they are a protected species.

If even a small number are found newts have to be fenced, trapped and relocated in the spring, which can cost £10,000 even for a small project. George Osborne, the former Chancellor, said in 2011 the directive placed “ridiculous costs on British businesses”.

Incandescent lightbulbs

In 2009 the European Commission announced plans to phase out traditional incandescent lightbulbs amid concerns that 95 per cent of the energy that goes into them gets turned into heat rather than light. However their replacements, LED and fluorescent bulbs, while far more energy-efficient, have proved unpopular because they give off a cold, unnatural light compared to their predecessors.

Best vacuum cleaners

In September 2014 the European Commission introduced new energy efficiency rules which banned many of the best vacuum cleaners on sale.

Companies were prohibited from manufacturing or importing any vacuums with motors above 1,600 watts. The deadline led to a rush on sales of the best performing vacuum cleaners. Of seven “best buy” ratings awarded by Which? since January 2013, five of them have motors of more than 1,600 watts.

From September this year the limit will be reduced to just 900 watts. The commission said the rules would help cut energy usage and lower people’s bills.