According to a European Commission document obtained by Reuters on Thursday, smart devices connected to the internet, such as refrigerators and televisions, will have to comply with strict European Union cybersecurity rules or risk being fined or banned from the bloc.

On 13 September, the EU executive will unveil its Cyber Resilience Act proposal. Following input from EU countries, it is likely to become law. Companies will be required to notify the EU cybersecurity agency ENISA of incidents within 24 hours of becoming aware of them, and to take corrective action.

The paper states that if companies fail to comply, national surveillance authorities have the authority to 'prohibit or restrict that product being made available on its national market, to withdraw it from that market or recall it'.