"Tap Water Over Bottled Water"... French Senate Adopts Proposal to Raise Bottled Water Tax by Up to 20%

"Encouraging the Consumption of Environmentally Friendly Tap Water"

The French Senate has sparked controversy locally by announcing plans to significantly increase the value-added tax (VAT) on bottled mineral water sold in plastic bottles to promote tap water consumption.

On the 27th (local time), the French Senate broadcast Public S?nat reported that during the review of next year's budget, the Senate adopted a proposal to raise the VAT on bottled mineral water sold on the market from the current 5.5% to 20%. The Senate expects to secure tax revenue of 150 million to 300 million euros (approximately 220 billion to 440 billion KRW) through this measure.

Rapha?l Doby?, a left-wing lawmaker who proposed this measure, explained, "The purpose of increasing the VAT on plastic bottled mineral water is to encourage consumers to choose economical and eco-friendly tap water." Nadeige Ab?, a member of the ruling Renaissance party who proposed a similar bill, also pointed out, "This amendment responds to concerns about environmental, health, and social issues," adding, "The carbon emissions of bottled mineral water in plastic bottles are 2,023 times higher per liter than those of tap water."

The background for the Senate's decision to raise the VAT on bottled mineral water partly stems from the controversy surrounding the mineral water manufacturer Nestl? earlier this year. French media exposed that Nestl? disinfected water using prohibited methods during production. Nestl? was found to have used water treatment methods that violated French regulations while producing mineral water brands such as Perrier. Mineral water, also known as 'mineral water,' is natural underground water that is more than 100 times more expensive than tap water. However, Nestl? was revealed to have produced mineral water using disinfection processes only permitted for tap water.

As the controversy grew, Nestl? admitted to subjecting its bottled water to purification processes similar to those used for tap water for 'food safety,' drawing criticism. The Senate even launched a separate committee last fall to investigate this issue.

However, the government opposes the proposal to raise the VAT on bottled mineral water. It argues that the increase would place a relatively heavier burden on low-income groups, and if bottled water prices rise, consumers might turn to cheaper beverages, which could ultimately harm public health. There is also a possibility that the VAT on bottled mineral water will not be increased, as the government might ignore the bills passed by both the Senate and the National Assembly and pass the government budget without approval from the lower house.