The House of Representatives passed a long-awaited bill regulating the recall of vehicles with defective Takata airbags. The legislation, approved with 51 votes in favor and one against, sets clear procedures for managing recalls, ensuring public safety and compliance with European regulations.

The law, proposed by MPs Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, Nicos Sykas (DISY), and Stavros Papadouris (Green Party), establishes the following guidelines:

1. Recall Procedures:

   • The Minister of Transport will issue a decree, effective from February 3, 2025, outlining recall processes, corrective measures, and deadlines.
   • In cases where recalls involve severe public health or safety risks, non-compliance will result in the suspension of a vehicle’s roadworthiness certificate.

2. Exceptions and Declarations:

   • If information on defective parts is unavailable (e.g., due to a lack of manufacturer or recall procedures), the Minister will establish an exemption process.
   • Vehicle importers or owners must submit declarations to the relevant authority if no local distributor or manufacturer representative exists.

3. Certification Validity:

   • Certifications indicating no recalls must be issued within five working days of the request and remain valid for 30 days.

4. Importer Responsibilities:

   • Importers are responsible for addressing recalls issued before a vehicle’s first registration.

5. Technical Inspections:

   • Periodic technical inspections will include checks for active recalls using either certification or the authority's digital system.

6. Distributor and Manufacturer Obligations:

   • Distributors must provide recall details to authorities and inform vehicle owners to implement corrective measures within three months.
   • Non-compliance by vehicle owners may result in extended deadlines or suspension of the vehicle’s roadworthiness certificate.

7. Reporting Requirements:

   • Distributors and manufacturers must report recalls and replacements through the digital system and submit semi-annual updates to authorities.

Individuals violating the law face penalties of up to €10,000 in fines, two years imprisonment, or both.