Various Turkish Ministries have issued Communiques in Official Gazette No. 30286 regarding the latest import control requirements for different products that are subject to Risk-based Control System for Foreign Trade (TAREKS) and Risk-based Inspection System in Import (GTB-IRIS). The new Communiques shall repeal the preceding ones published in Official Gazette No. 29934, with effect from 1 January 2018.
This Regulatory Update would like to highlight some requirements that are not addressed in other product safety and chemical regulations:
Toys (UGD Communique No. 2018/10)
1. Communique No. 2018/10 shall apply to the products listed in Annex 1, including:
a. Finger paints
b. Modelling pastes
c. Magnetic toys
d. Bicycles with saddle height less than435 mm
e. Dolls' carriages
f. Tricycles and scooters
g. Dolls, their parts and accessories
h. Electric trains (including tracks, signals and other accessories), reduced-size model
i. assembly kits
j. Stuffed toys
k. Toy musical instruments and apparatus
l. Toys in sets
m. Toy weapons
n. Die-cast miniature models of metal
o. Toys with HS Code 9503.00.95 and 9503.00.99
p. Electric car racing sets, having the character of competitive games
q. Roller skates
2. Other than the documents normally required for customs procedure, the following shall be submitted to the TAREKS:
a. EC Declaration of Conformity
(Note: If the declaration is prepared in other languages, it shall be accompanied by an approved copy of the Turkish translation)
b. Original or certified copies of test reports issued by accredited laboratories showing conformity with:
• Toy Safety Regulation (Official Gazette No. 29847 as amended); and
• Annex 17 of Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (KKDIK, Official Gazette No. 30105 first repetition) regarding chemical restrictions specified for toys
Footwear (UGD Communique No. 2018/18)
1. Footwear and parts of footwear listed in Annex 1 of Communique No. 2018/18 shall not pose risk to human health by the following chemicals (no compliance criteria are specified):
a. Phthalates
b. Dioctyltin (DOT)
c. Chromium (VI)
2.Although test reports are not required to be submitted to the TAREKS, importers shall bear the responsibility to ensure product safety. Additional documents may be requested by the authority for inspection when necessary.
Miscellaneous products (UGD Communique No. 2018/12)
1.Products under Communique No. 2018/12 shall comply with the applicable provisions in the following regulations:
a. Official Gazette No. 30105 (first repetition) Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (KKDIK)
b. Official Gazette No. 29847 Toy Safety Regulation
c. Official Gazette No. 29701 Communique on safety compliance of certain consumer products
d. Official Gazette No. 28807 Communique on compliance of N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances for feeding teats and pacifiers made from rubber and elastomers
2. The covered products and applicable requirements are listed in Annex 1 of the Communique, and are summarized below:
|
Product |
Relevant legislation |
Test |
|
1. Paint colours used in art
events, except finger paints and professional product |
a) KKDIK b) |
a) Azo dyes, Phthalates |
|
·Tampons |
KKDIK |
· Azo dyes |
|
·Household poly(vinyl chloride) gloves |
KKDIK |
·Dioctyltin (DOT) compounds |
|
·Plastic files and folders |
KKDIK |
·Cadmium compounds |
|
·Toilet closers for children |
KKDIK |
· Cadmium compounds |
|
·Cufflinks and similar
buttons |
KKDIK |
·Cadmium compounds |
|
·Wrist watches |
KKDIK |
·Azo dyes |
|
·Plastic mobile phone and tablet
cases, |
KKDIK |
·Cadmium compounds |
|
·Textile mobile phone and tablet cases |
KKDIK |
· Azo dyes |
|
·Plastic feeding bottles |
a) Communique on safety compliance
of certain consumer products b) |
a) TS EN 1400 Child use and care
articles. Soothers for babies and young children - Safety requirements and
test methods |
|
·Hand-held toothbrushes (including dental-plate brushes but excluding interdental brushes) |
Communique on safety compliance of certain consumer products |
· TS EN ISO 20126 Dentistry - Manual toothbrushes. General requirements and test methods |
Note: Additional information about TAREKS and GTB-IRIS
• Risk-based Control System for Foreign Trade (TAREKS)
It is a web-based application that allows import inspections to be carried out in a risk-based manner in order to protect consumers in terms of safety, quality and compliance with Product Safety and Technical Regulations. It is managed by the Ministry of Economy.
TAREKS applies to products such as personal protective equipment, toys, building materials, medical devices, radio and telecommunication terminal equipment, batteries and accumulators.
• Risk-based Inspection System in Import (GTB-IRIS)
It is a web-based application to carry out the inspection, compliance and authorization processes carried out during the import stage by the Ministry of Customs and Trade based on risk analysis.
GTB-IRIS applies to products under UGD Communique No. 2018-12, such as stationery, sanitary products (e.g. sanitary pads, diapers), school and office supplies, cufflinks, imitation jewellery, wrist watches, watch straps, mobile phone covers, children's feeding bottles and sippy cups.
