Cyprus - Standards for Trade

Standards for Trade

Last published date: 2022-08-09

Overview

Republic of Cyprus:

As an EU member state since 2004, Cyprus abides by European directives and standards. Additionally, several semi-government organizations, such as the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority and the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, generally require companies bidding on tenders to meet applicable International Standards Organization (ISO) standards.

Products tested and certified in the United States to U.S. regulations and standards are likely to require retesting and re-certification to EU requirements. Where products are not regulated by specific EU technical legislation, they are always subject to the EU’s General Product Safety Directive as well as to possible additional national requirements.

European Union legislation and standards created under the so-called New Approach are harmonized across the Member States and European Economic Area countries to allow for the free flow of goods. New approach laws require the manufacturer to use CE marking.

The concept of the New Approach legislation is slowly disappearing since the New Legislative Framework (NLF), which entered into force in January 2010, was put in place to serve as a blueprint for existing and future CE marking legislation. Existing legislation has been reviewed to bring it in line with the NLF concepts, which means that, since 2016, new requirements are being addressed and new reference numbers are to be used on declarations of conformity.

While harmonization of EU legislation can facilitate access to the EU Single Market, manufacturers should be aware that regulations (mandatory) and technical standards (voluntary) might also function as barriers to trade if U.S. standards are different from those of the EU.

Standards

Republic of Cyprus:

In 2002, the Republic of Cyprus introduced the Standardization, Accreditation and Technical Information Law (N.156 (I)/2002), assigning standardization activities to the Cyprus Organization for Standardization (CYS). This law aimed to ensure the impartiality and integrity of the local system, while at the same time harmonizing Cyprus with EU directives. The CYS is a limited liability organization, registered under private law, with the Republic of Cyprus as its sole shareholder. A seven-member board appointed by the Council of Ministers governs it with participation from the government and the private sector. The CYS is a full member of the ISO and the three main European standards organizations.

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:

The Turkish Standards Institution representative for the area administered by Turkish Cypriots is responsible for standards. Director Mr. Ahmet Kemal Kiziltan is the representative for the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and can provide additional information at: +90-392 - 2279639/40.

Testing, Inspection and Certification

Conformity Assessment is a mandatory step for the manufacturer in the process of complying with specific EU harmonized legislation. The purpose of conformity assessment is to ensure consistency of compliance during all stages, from design to production, and to facilitate acceptance of the final product. EU product legislation gives manufacturers some choice regarding conformity assessment, depending on the level of risk involved in the use of their product. These range from self-certification, type examination and a production quality control system, to a full quality assurance system. Conformity assessment bodies in individual Member States are listed in the New Approach Notification and Designated Organizations (NANDO).

Publication of Technical Regulations

The official publication of the Republic of Cyprus is the Cyprus Government Gazette (http://www.cygazette.com/).

Contact Information

Use ePing to review proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures

The ePing SPS&TBT platform (https://epingalert.org/), or “ePing”, provides access to notifications made by WTO Members under the Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), distributed by the WTO from January 16, 1995 to present. ePing is available to all stakeholders free of charge and does not require registration unless the user wishes to receive customized e-mail alerts. Use it to browse notifications on past as well as new draft and updated product regulations, food safety and animal and plant health standards and regulations, find information on trade concerns discussed in the WTO SPS and TBT Committees, locate information on SPS/TBT Enquiry Points and notification authorities, and to follow and review current and past notifications concerning regulatory actions on products, packaging, labeling, food safety and animal and plant health measures in markets of interest.

Notify U.S., operated and maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) since 2003 to distribute and provide access to notifications (and associated draft texts) made under the WTO TBT Agreement for US stakeholders, has reached its end of life. Per obligation under the TBT Agreement, each WTO Member operates a national TBT (and an SPS) Enquiry Point. National TBT Enquiry Points are authorized to accept comments and official communications from other national TBT Enquiry Points, which are NOT part of the WTO or the WTO Secretariat. All comment submissions from U.S. stakeholders, including businesses, trade associations, U.S domiciled standards development organizations and conformity assessment bodies, consumers, or U.S. government agencies on notifications to the WTO TBT Committee should be sent directly to the USA WTO TBT Inquiry Point. Refer to the comment guidance at https://tsapps.nist.gov/notifyus/data/guidance/guidance.cfm for further information.

Republic of Cyprus:

For additional information on standards and labeling, please contact:

Mr. Antonis Ioannou

Acting Director

Consumer Protection Service

Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry

2 Agapinoros Str., CY-1421 Nicosia

Tel.: +357-22-200900

Email: ccps@meci.gov.cy

Mr. George F. Demetriou

Economic Specialist

American Embassy Nicosia