Strengthening EU support for Cyprus in market surveillance of electrical appliances

Question for written answer E-001416/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Michalis Hadjipantela (PPE) Subject: Strengthening EU support for Cyprus in market surveillance of electrical appliances Faulty electrical appliances, imported primarily from non-EU countries and particularly from the People’s Republic of China, have caused multiple fatal accidents in Cyprus. The faulty devices caused fires on account of their hazardous and sub-standard specifications. Despite existing EU regulations such as the Low Voltage Directive and the Market Surveillance Regulation, enforcement gaps remain, allowing unsafe products to reach the European market. The problem is exacerbated in Member States such as Cyprus owing to the limited sampling capabilities and the absence of a national certification test centre. What measures can the Commission take to: 1. provide additional financial and technical support to Cyprus for market surveillance improvements and testing capabilities? 2. strengthen customs controls at EU borders to prevent the entry of high-risk electrical appliances? 3. increase the penalties for non-compliance, particularly for repeat offenders, to a level that truly deters importers from bringing faulty and sub-standard high-risk electrical products into the single market? Submitted: 8.4.2025 PE772.798v01-00