Turkey has announced a voluntary environmental label scheme, to promote products with reduced environmental impacts, as well as provide consumers with accurate and science-based information.
The Environmental Label Regulation (“Regulation”) was published in Official Gazette number 30270 on 19 October 2018. To acquire the environmental label, applicants are expected to meet the following criteria:
- Reduce energy consumption, which has a negative impact on climate change and biodiversity, as well as promote use of renewable energy.
- Dispose of waste, emissions and harmful substances related to products or services.
- Replace harmful substances with safer materials or methods, this is technically feasible.
- Minimize the environmental impact of products and services by extending their lifetime, ensuring re-usability, or converting it to another product.
The environmental label will not be given to chemical products which are toxic, environmentally hazardous and carcinogenic.
The following parties can apply for the environmental label:
- Producers.
- Manufacturers.
- Exporters.
- Importers.
- Service providers.
- Wholesalers.
- Retailers.
Applications will be made to the Environment and Urban Planning Ministry (“Ministry”), which will make a technical examination.
The environmental label is valid for four years and can be renewed for further periods on application to the Ministry.
The environmental label cannot be used as an advertisement, expression, label or logo which is incorrect, misleading, or harmful to the environmental label scheme’s integrity.
An annual fee applies for using the environmental label. If the fee remains unpaid, the Ministry can cancel the environmental label.
Criminal sanctions will apply for illegal or improper use of the environmental label.
Please see this link for the full text of the Regulation (only available in Turkish).
