Serbia’s love affair with household electrical appliances, particularly vacuum cleaners, is raising concerns over consumer safety, with the European Union (EU) stepping in to ensure proper regulation and market oversight.

According to an article by EU news site Europa, nearly every Serbian household — approximately 2.5mn in total — possesses at least one vacuum cleaner. Including commercial entities such as hotels and salons, the number of vacuums rises to around 3mn. When factoring in hair dryers and irons, the country is home to an "army" of nearly 10mn electrical devices in daily operation.

While the widespread use of these appliances speaks to their affordability, it has also triggered questions about their safety and the quality guarantees consumers can expect when purchasing these items. With lower prices making it easier for Serbs to replace malfunctioning products, many opt for a new hair dryer or iron rather than repairing broken devices.

To address potential safety issues, the responsibility for checking the safety of electrical products lies with market inspectors in Serbia. Under the guidance of the EU-supported EU for the Internal Market project, Serbian market inspectors have undertaken the role of “mystery shoppers”, purchasing appliances from various retailers to conduct safety tests.

These tests, carried out in accredited laboratories, form part of a broader effort to enhance consumer protection. In March 2025, a workshop in Belgrade brought together experts, inspectors and representatives from Serbia’s regulatory bodies to analyse the findings from these “secret shopping” efforts.

The EU-backed initiative aims to harmonise Serbia’s consumer protection laws with those of the EU, ensuring that products on the Serbian market meet the same safety standards as those sold across European borders.