In Europe, daylight saving time always starts on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. After that, winter time starts again, also known as ‘standard time’. About 70 countries change the clock twice a year.
The Netherlands introduced summer time in 1977, after other European countries moved their clocks to save energy. By adopting this, the Dutch time remained the same as that of neighboring countries. Summer time has been regulated in Europe since 1980.
Negative influence on sleep and hormones
Changing the clock has been under discussion for some time. For example, experts say that it has a negative impact on the human body. The biological clock is disrupted, which can make it more difficult to fall asleep or wake up.
In addition, it disrupts the hormone balance, said neurologist Raymond Vogels of Northwest Hospital Group let NH know earlier. According to him, it can take up to six weeks before the hormonal balance is completely restored.
Should daylight saving time disappear?
The impact on the body is one of the reasons why there was talk of abolishing summer and winter time for a while. In 2018, the European Commission proposed permanently introducing summer time within the EU. But this plan did not get off the ground.
According to the government, more research is needed. “The government believes that the European Commission has not yet clearly indicated the advantages and disadvantages of abolition. This requires a thorough impact assessment by the European Commission.”
There is also still doubt among the Dutch population. Government research from 2018 and 2019 shows that Dutch people have no clear preference for permanent winter time, permanent summer time or the current system.
For now, the clock will simply go forward another hour. On Sunday, October 25, the clock will be reset to standard time.
