Green Line Trade offers valuable opportunities for businesses throughout the whole island — but only when products meet EU regulatory compliance requirements. The following real case highlights how a single missing document can turn a business opportunity into a setback, and shows how traders can avoid the same mistake.
What Happened
A Turkish Cypriot trader (TC trader) attempted to move aluminum profiles across the Green Line through the Agios Dometios crossing point. At the crossing point, customs officials inspected the load in accordance with their market surveillance responsibilities and discovered that the products were not accompanied by two required documents:
- The Declaration of Performance (DoP), a legal document serving as a guarantee that the product meets specific performance standards for its essential characteristics.
- CE marking on the products or product labels, to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the EU Construction Products Regulation
Without these, the shipment could not be admitted into the Greek Cypriot Community.
No fines were imposed, but the products were returned to the seller — resulting in an unsold manufactured product, wasted time, transport costs, and missed business.
Why the Shipment Failed
As per EU law, construction products placed on the EU market are subject to strict rules regarding their performance. These are designed to ensure that products on the EU market meet the required standards. Aluminum profiles, rolls, strips and panels fall under Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 laying down the harmonized rules on marketing of construction products and should be manufactured in accordance with the European Harmonized Standard:
- EN 15088:2005, which requires:
- The manufacturers to carry out Product Type Testing (ITT) including sample testing, calculations or descriptive documentation), to establish a Factory Production Control (FPC) system and to conduct further testing of product samples, in accordance with a prescribed test plan;
- A notified certification body to issue a Factory Production Control Certificate (FPC) after carrying out Initial Type Testing (ITT) with sampling at the factory, conducting an initial audit of the factory, and setting up continuous surveillance and assessment of the FPC system.
These standards ensure that construction products across Europe meet the same safety, reliability, and performance levels.
In Cyprus, the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR 305/2011), which is currently being phased out and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2024/3110, is complemented by the Construction Products Law of 2013 regarding national market surveillance and enforcement, which requires:
- A properly issued Declaration of Performance (DoP);
- Affixing of CE Marking based on the corresponding DoP onto the product or product label;
- Documents available in Greek and/or English;
- Oversight by the Ministry of Interior as the market surveillance authority.
What Traders Should Learn
This case shows that even a product category which may otherwise be routinely traded cannot cross the Green Line unless the required documentation for each shipment is complete and compliant.
Do not Get Turned Back!
The experience of the TC trader shows that inspections at the crossing points are strict, and compliance is mandatory. To successfully trade aluminum profile products over the Green Line and prevent your shipment from being sent back, you must have a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and a CE Marking for the product secured and ready.
Need Guidance? We are Here to Help.
If you plan to trade aluminum profile products — or any item requiring CE certification — the EU One Stop Shop (EU OSS) can guide you through the exact steps you need to follow to achieve compliance.
Contact us for support and step-by-step guidance before you trade.
