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Türkiye's Ministry of Trade is preparing to mandate product safety certificates for e-commerce platforms that lack local representatives, citing public health concerns over potentially dangerous goods sold through these channels.
The new requirement targets platforms led by TEMU and similar online marketplaces, building on existing restrictions that already limit purchases to $30, including shipping for platforms without Turkish representatives. Under the proposed rules, these platforms will be prohibited from selling shoes, textiles, toys, kitchen and bathroom products without proper quality documentation.
The safety certificate mandate stems from a regulation that took effect April 1, which requires foreign manufacturers selling products in Türkiye through importers to maintain local representatives. This provision represents one of the most significant aspects of the new regulatory framework.
The Ministry of Trade has indicated it reserves the option to block access to platforms that fail to comply with the representative requirement, despite verbal warnings. This enforcement mechanism serves as a final resort for non-compliant companies.
According to reporting by Hurriyet, the ministry now plans to require e-commerce platforms like TEMU to publish safety certificates for each product they sell in Türkiye on their websites. The measure aims to minimize risks from carcinogenic materials and chemical hazards that threaten public health.
Products lacking the required safety certificates will be banned from sale in the country. The initiative represents Türkiye's broader effort to regulate foreign e-commerce platforms and ensure consumer protection standards for goods entering the Turkish market through online channels.
The regulatory push reflects growing concerns about product safety and quality control as international e-commerce platforms expand their presence in Türkiye's digital marketplace.
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