The EU is banning the manufacture of vacuums over 1600 watts, starting September 1st.

What will that mean for Patricia Ware, owner of a vacuum repair shop in Edinburgh? Ware demonstrates the difference in sucking power from her shop, Radio Electrics.

“When you have pets with a lot of dog hair and cat hair, you need to have that suction [a more powerful vacuum provides],” says Ware. “Why they’re doing this, I have no idea. This is the EU crap that goes on in Brussels. But nevermind about all the racing cars that raise all the emissions in the air, that’s ok, we’re going to worry about a vacuum cleaner that’s … on for a half hour.”