I AM sorry to contradict Phillip Roe (Letters, September 11), but this anti-EU rhetoric on the issue of vacuum cleaners is silly.

We were awash with similar tirades when energy efficiency ratings were introduced for fridge, freezers, washing machines, tumble-dryers and televisions.

Every time, the results have been emphatic – new regulations lead to the energy efficiency of those products improving dramatically. It is now practically impossible to buy a freezer or washing machine with less than a B rating because, given the choice, all customers say “I’ll have the machine that costs less to run, thank you.”

Quite simply, energy-efficient products reduce our energy bills and carbon emissions.

Similarly dramatic improvements have been made to the energy efficiency of cars, aeroplanes and public buildings. EU energy regulations drive manufacturers and engineers to design better products, and exactly the same will happen with vacuum cleaners.

Left to their own devices, businesses have no incentive to create more efficient products. It is hugely to our advantage that, through the EU, the nations of Europe work together to impose regulations.

It even benefits business because, with more energy efficient products, they have better goods that they can then export around the world.

Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.