The European Commission has launched a new series of infringement proceedings— nine in total, against Cyprus, as the country is the subject of a series of rulings for failing to fully and timely transpose European directives into its national law. The cases concern labor migration, environmental protection, the transport of dangerous goods, capital markets, financial services, hazardous substances in electronic equipment, agriculture, equality, and the internal market during times of crisis.

The proceedings are in the initial stage, as the Commission has sent warning letters and has called on the Cypriot authorities to notify it of compliance measures within two months. If the response is deemed unsatisfactory, the Commission may proceed to the next stage by issuing a reasoned opinion, prior to a possible referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Specifically, with regard to the separate procedures, Cyprus is among the 17 Member States to which the Commission sent a warning letter regarding the incomplete transposition of the revised Single Permit Directive (EU 2024/1233), which concerns the European framework for the legal migration of workers from third countries. This new directive provides for a faster procedure for granting a single residence and work permit, with a maximum deadline of 90 days for reviewing applications, while also strengthening workers’ rights through the ability to change employers, complaint mechanisms, and protection against exploitation.

In addition, the procedure regarding the incomplete transposition of the Directive on Environmental Crimes (EU 2024/1203) was also notified. In this case, Cyprus is among the 23 member states that have not informed the Commission of the full implementation of the new rules, which strengthen the European framework for serious environmental offenses and provide for stricter penalties for acts causing significant, widespread, or permanent environmental damage. The Commission has sent a warning letter and expects corrective action within two months.

Cyprus also received a warning letter for failing to fully transpose the new European rules on roadside inspections of vehicles transporting dangerous goods, pursuant to the Delegated Directive (EU 2025/1801). The directive updates inspection procedures, replaces the single list of checks, and revises the risk categories associated with potential violations. In this case as well, the procedure is at the letter of formal notice stage, with a two-month deadline for compliance.

The Commission has also launched an infringement procedure against Cyprus for failing to fully transpose the Listing Act Directive (EU 2024/2811), which aims to strengthen European capital markets and improve access to financing for smaller businesses. The procedure is in its first stage, as the Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to Member States that did not notify complete implementing measures by the prescribed deadline.

The procedure regarding the incomplete implementation of the EMIR Directive (EU 2024/2994), which introduces amendments to the rules on risk management for derivatives transactions, the operation of investment firms, and the supervision of financial institutions. Cyprus is among the Member States that have not yet completed the transposition of these changes into their national law and is now required to inform the Commission of the measures it has taken.

At the same time, Cyprus is among the seven Member States against which infringement proceedings have been initiated for failing to transpose specific amendments to the European RoHS Directive concerning the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronicequipment. The amendments concern time-limited exemptions for the use of lead in specific applications, without reducing the level of protection for human health and the environment. The case is also in the initial stage of a letter of formal notice.

Cyprus is also subject to infringement proceedings for failing to fully transpose Implementing Directive (EU 2025/2449) concerning the procedures for the examination of certain varieties of agricultural plants and vegetables. The Commission has asked the Cypriot authorities to address the shortcomings identified, with the case currently at the letter of formal notice stage.

In addition, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Cyprus regarding the incomplete transposition of the new directives on the operational standards of equality bodies (EU 2024/1499 and EU 2024/1500). These rules set out minimum requirements for the independence, resources, and powers of national bodies that address discrimination. The process is in its initial stage, and Cyprus is required to demonstrate full compliance.

Finally, Cyprus is among the 24 Member States to which the Commission sent a letter of formal notice regarding the incomplete transposition of Directive (EU 2024/2749), which concerns emergency procedures for product conformity assessment, market surveillance, and the functioning of the internal market during times of crisis. This particular case is also in the first stage of the infringement procedure.

In total, the Commission launched 15 procedures on Wednesday; all new cases against Cyprus are currently in the first stage of the European infringement procedure, that is, at the letter of formal notice stage. The Commission expects Nicosia to provide full information on its national implementing measures within the two-month deadline, and if Cyprus does not respond adequately, it may proceed to the next step in the process by issuing a reasoned opinion.

Source: CNA