The Cyprus Consumers Association (CCA) on Tuesday warned that faulty and poor quality electronic devices were widely available in the market.

It said Cyprus faces significant challenges in addressing the issue of these devices, putting consumers at risk. A total of 150 cases of faulty devices were reported in 2024, it said.

And in the last few days the issue has again come to the fore with the death of a family of five in Limassol possibly linked to such products.

“The electromechanical service should start doing inspections at the different electronic stores making sure these devices are not being sold to the public”, CCA president Marios Drousiotis told the Cyprus Mail on Tuesday.

CCA has expressed concern over an alleged lack of market control, calling for stricter regulations to ensure public safety. The association argues that such measures were essential to prevent electrical failures and fires.

“There are European regulations stating how every electronic device should be inspected correctly,” Drousiotis said.

He also raised concerns about faulty adapters for two-pin plugs. “Fifty per cent of the adaptors sold are not compatible, which can create serious risks,” he said, calling for the withdrawal of said devices from the market.

Referring to the Limassol fire, he said that such incidents would not happen “if we knew which device, with what technical characteristics and which importer was responsible”.

Finally, Drousiotis said that the electromechanical services department was responsible for inspections, but in the light of recent events it appeared that these were not being carried out properly.

Another fatal fire was reported in Limassol on Monday. An autopsy revealed that the 33-year-old resident, died of smoke inhalation, investigations suggest an electrical appliance may have caused the fire.