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Recent Developments
On March 23, 2021, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance published the Economic Reforms Action Plan ("Plan"). The Plan contains a number of action plans concerning various fields, including domestic trade and market surveillance and inspection, which will be implemented by the end of March 2023.
What's New?
Facilitation of Domestic Trade
According to the Plan, the Ministry of Trade will enact new laws to eliminate unfair commercial practices in retail trade and to implement a fair and better functioning system until the end of 2021. When establishing the system, the Ministry of Trade will refer to the relevant regulations of the European Union (EU).
The Ministry of Trade will also create a roadmap for new national electronic commerce legislation, and introduce regulations by taking into account national and international developments in this area. The roadmap is anticipated to be completed by the end of June 2022.
Market Supervision and Audit
A new independent Market Surveillance and Inspection Authority ("Authority") is expected to be established by the end of March 2022. The Authority will merge dispersed departments, enable the uniform application of law, and accordingly, prevent authorities from taking repetitive actions on the same issues.
The new Authority will be entitled to introduce regulations and conduct inspections to enable a fair and competitive trade environment.
The new Authority will take actions against the placement of goods on the market that do not meet the minimum requirements for human health; life; safety of property; animal and plant health; and protection of the environment and the consumer.
A Market Surveillance and Inspection Advisory Committee consisting of private sector actors and consumers will be established under the new Authority.
Conclusion
Turkey introduced a comprehensive action list that touches upon a number of fields, including internal trade and market surveillance. All companies must carefully review the action list, closely follow the implementation process, and take the necessary actions to ensure compliance.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.