Notifications for Turkey (168 notifications)

This Communiqué covers product definitions and features, quality criteria and labelling requirements of lentils.Currently, Turkish Food Codex - Communiqué on Lentil (2003/25) is in force in Türkiye. This draft communiqué will enter into force on the date of publication and replace the current communiqué.  The content of the Communiqué has been drafted without making any changes in the main issues, only the references to the legislation and the names of the Ministries have been adjusted according to the current situation.A transitional period is foreseen for the compliance with the new provisions.

The Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Contaminants, which was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/129 (8 December 2022), was now adopted and published in the Official Gazette dated 5 November 2023 and numbered 32360.The Regulation shall apply from 1 January 2024. Maximum levels for which an effective date is not specified in Annex-1 shall be applied from the date of entry into force of this Regulation. The maximum levels with the effective date specified in Annex-1 are applied as of the mentioned date in Annex-1.

The Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides, which was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/114 on 8 July 2020, was adopted and published in the Official Gazette dated 27 September 2021 and numbered 31611. Now, amendments are being made to the annexes of the regulation. The proposed regulation  is  prepared taking  into  account of Regulation  (EC)  No 396/2005  of  the  European Parliament  and  of  the  Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC. The active substances that have been changed are included in Annex-3, and the relevant parts are coloured yellow and green.The columns in green are the new maximum residue limits. Proposed date of adoption is  December 2024.

As of 31 March 2024, Türkiye will require the above-mentioned products to have a Phytosanitary Certificate upon entry into Türkiye and will subject them to phytosanitary control.Accordingly, the products with the above HS codes will be returned or destroyed if they do not have a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the NPPO of the exporting country or if they are found to be non-compliant as a result of the phytosanitary control to be carried out at the entrance to Türkiye.The measure notified is prepared on the grounds that the import of the products whose GTIPs are specified above carries a phytosanitary risk of transmitting harmful organisms and might cause entry of harmful organisms whose existence in Türkiye is unknown.

In order to prevent the fake issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates (PC) or PC for Re-Export used in the export of plants, plant products and other substances, the "QR Code Verifiable Phytosanitary Certificate" implementation has been gradually introduced. This change was published on 26 January 2024 with the symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/140.In addition to the notification, the following issues have been added:1.  In G/SPS/N/TUR/140, it was stated that PCs (including PC for Re-export) will contain a QR code in the number 2 digit, which enables verification. And it is indicated that only the content of the certificate will be displayed without wet signature and stamp during the query phase with the QR code and also original certificates sent to the recipient countries with the product will be QR coded, wet signed and stamped. In addition:       1.1 The Ministry’s logo located in the middle of the QR code that enables verification can be printed in red or black;       1.2. In the verification made through the link (https://tbs.tarbil.gov.tr/Main/PhytosanitaryCertificate) for PCs, in the number 2 digit of the PC:             1.2.a. It can be seen whether the consignment has left Türkiye or not with the yellow and green colored markings;             1.2.b. Inquiry date and time, declaration number issued at Turkish Customs and “COPY” statement will be included;       1.3. The inquiry date/time, declaration number and “COPY” statement will not be included in the original wet signed certificates accompanying the consignment;       1.4. If the PC is not issued by the Türkiye NPPO, in a red box "The Phytosanitary Certificate is not issued by the Türkiye National Plant Protection Service." statement can be seen.2. In G/SPS/N/TUR/140, it was stated that by querying the QR Code Verifiable PC (except PC for Re-export) issued only for fresh fruit and vegetable products, it can be seen whether the consignment has left Turkish Customs or not. In addition:      2.1. If the exporter requests, it will be possible to see whether the products which are not only fresh fruit and vegetable products but also other products are left Turkish Customs or not.In addition to the items above and items included in the notification with the symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/140, during the verification made through the link https://tbs.tarbil.gov.tr/Main/PhytosanitaryCertificate, a fade “COPY” statement will be visible in the background of the PC displayed.

''Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Classification and Maximum Residue Limits of Pharmacologically Active Substances in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin'' was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/65/Add.1 on 23 January 2017.''Turkish Food Codex Regulation Amending the Regulation on Classification and Maximum Residue Limits of Pharmacologically Active Substances in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin'' was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/103 on 11 September 2018.''Turkish Food Codex Regulation Amending the Regulation on Classification and Maximum Residue Limits of Pharmacologically Active Substances in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin'' was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/65/Add.2 on 18 April 2023.An amendment has been proposed by means of ''Turkish Food Codex Regulation Amending the Regulation on Classification and Maximum Residue Limits of Pharmacologically Active Substances in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin''.Changes have been made regarding the conditions of use and maximum residue limits of the following active substances: Toltrazuril, Prazikuantel, Ketoprofen and Rafoksanid.This regulation is planned to enter into force on 1 August 2024.

It has been encountered fake Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) and PC for Re-export recently. The Phytosanitary Certificate and PC for Re-export issued by Türkiye will gradually be replaced by "QR Code Verifiable Phytosanitary Certificate" to ensure the security of PC and PC for Re-export.PCs (including PC for Re-export) will contain a QR code in the number 2 digit, which enables verification. Only the content of the certificate will be displayed without wet signature and stamp during the query phase with the QR code. Original certificates sent to the recipient countries with the product will be QR coded, wet signed and stamped.In addition, it will also be possible to see whether the consignment has left Türkiye Customs or not in the query of QR Code Verifiable PC (except PC for Re-export) issued only for fresh fruit and vegetable products.As of 22 January 2024 in Samsun Agricultural Quarantine Directorate; As of 15 February 2024, QR Code Verifiable Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) will be used from all our authorized units.Between 22 January and 15 February 2024, PCs without QR code and QR Coded Verifiable Phytosanitary Certificates will be used together.Verifiable Phytosanitary Certificates with QR Code can be queried from QR code or https://tbs.tarbil.gov.tr/Main/PhytosanitaryCertificateA sample of a QR Code Verifiable Phytosanitary Certificate and Phytosanitary Certificate for Re-export can be reached from the following links:https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/GKGM/Belgeler/DB_Bitki_Sinir/Bitki-Saglik-Sertifikasi-Yeni-Model.pdfhttps://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/GKGM/Belgeler/DB_Bitki_Sinir/Re-Export-Bitki-Saglik-Sertifikasi-Yeni-Model.pdfIn case of doubt about the accuracy of the PC without QR code or the QR Code Verifiable Phytosanitary Certificate, information can be obtained from nppoturkiye@tarimorman.gov.tr

Within the scope of the SPS notification with the symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.3 regarding the import of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and squash (Cucurbita pepo) seeds from all countries:For tomato seeds:In cases where the place of production of seeds harvested before 31 December 2023 is unknown; if the seeds are found to be free of Tomato Planta Macho Viroid (TPMVd) by the exporting country through analysis using the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTqPCR) method, the Phytosanitary Certificate shall include:“Seeds were analyzed using the RTqPCR method in terms of TPMVd and were found to be free.”;“Seeds produced before 31 December 2023.” statements.For squash seeds:In cases where the place of production of seeds harvested before 31 December 2023 is unknown; if the seeds are found to be free of Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus (ToLCNDV) by the exporting country through analysis using the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTqPCR) method, the Phytosanitary Certificate shall include:“Seeds were analyzed using the RTqPCR method in terms of ToLCNDV and were found free.”;“Seeds produced before 31 December 2023.” statements.Accordingly, the import conditions described above shall be valid until 31 March 2024 only for tomato and squash seeds produced before 31 December 2023, provided that the requirements in the SPS notifications G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.3 and G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.3/Corr.1 are met.On the other hand, as of 1 April 2024, the requirements specified in the SPS notifications G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.3 and G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.3/Corr.1 must be provided.

Milviscutulus mangiferae is not known to occur in Türkiye. It has many economically important hosts that are produced in our lands, especially citrus products. Therefore, it poses a high risk for our production areas.Mango saplings for planting purposes are banned from entering into Türkiye from Israel as of 2 February 2024 (except for shipments with Phytosanitary Certificates issued before 2 February 2024).

Aulacaspis tubercularisDysmicoccus neobrevipes and Milviscutulus mangiferae are not known to occur in Türkiye. These pests have many economically important hosts produced in our lands, especially citrus fruits. These pests pose a high risk for our production areas.Mango saplings for planting purposes are banned from entering into Türkiye from Egypt as of 15 December 2023 (except for shipments with Phytosanitary Certificates issued before 15 December 2023).

In response to a request from a WTO Member regarding the comment deadline contained within G/SPS/N/TUR/127/Add.1 of 24 November 2023, in this instance Türkiye is able to extend the final date for comments from 22 December 2023 to 28 January 2024.

The Regulation on Food Supplements, which was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/127 (28 July 2022), has never been enacted. This time draft Regulation on Food Supplements has been amended and these amendments cover product specifications, Annex-1 (Annex 1-Part A: Active Ingredients Allowed for Use and Conditions of Use) and Annex-2 (Annex 2-Information and Documents requested in Application for Approval of Food Supplements).Food supplements that were approved before the publication date of this Regulation and comply with the provisions of the Regulation on Import, Production, Processing and Placing on the Market of Food Supplements and the Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Food Supplements can be on the market until 31 December 2025.

This serves as a correction for a mistaken wording for “cucurbita pepo” in the SPS notification G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.3 dated 13 October 2023. It  was incorrectly stated as "pumpkin" in English; It is corrected as “squash”.

Türkiye has introduced the requirement of an additional declaration for the import of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds as of 15 September 2021 to prevent introduction and spread of Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), Columnea latent viroid (CLVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd), Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid(TCDVd), Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) and Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV)  and SPS notifications G/SPS/N/TUR/119, G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.1 and G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.2 have been made to inform our trade partners about the changes on necessary conditions. Now there is a need to update the phytosanitary requirements requested from all exporting countries in the import of tomato, pepper, and pumpkin seeds to Türkiye. Additional declaration will also be required for Tomato planta macho viroid (TPMVd) for tomato seeds with this new amendment.If the necessary information about the place of production cannot be obtained because of the fact that the tomato, pepper and pumpkin seeds subject to the SPS Notification with the symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/119/Add.2 were harvested before 15 September 2021, the import conditions for tomato, pepper and pumpkin seeds from all countries ends on 31 May 2023, in the phytosanitary certificates following conditions shall be required after 1 December 2023:For tomato seeds, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating that:a) They originate from countries where the existence of ToMMV, TASVd, CLVd, PCFVd, TCDVd and  TPMVd is not known, orb) In areas where ToMMV, TASVd, CLVd, PCFVd, TCDVd and TPMVd are known to exist;i) The seeds originate from a production area known to be free, and name of the production place,ii) It was analyzed using the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) method, and found to be free of ToMMV, TASVd, CLVd, PCFVd, TCDVd and TPMVd,For pepper seeds, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating that:a) They originate from countries where the existence of ToMMV, TASVd and PCFVd is not known, orb) In areas where ToMMV, TASVd and PCFVd are known to exist;i) The seeds originate from a production area known to be free, and name of the production place,ii) it has been analyzed using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) method, and found to be free of ToMMV, TASVd and PCFVd.For pumpkin seeds, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating that:a) They originate from countries where the existence of ToLCNDV is not known, orb) In areas where ToLCNDV is known to exist;i) The seeds originate from a production area known to be free, and name of the production place,ii) It has been analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) method in terms of ToLCNDV and the product was found to be free of the vectors in question,c) In the areas where the plants are produced, in the official controls carried out by the National Plant Protection Organization according to the relevant ISPM during the season, the ToLCNDV vector Bemisia tabaci was not detected and it is free from pest  or,d) Plants are subjected to appropriate treatment for eradication of ToLCNDV vector Bemisia tabaci in the production areas where the plants are produced.All above-mentioned requirements will be applicable as of 1 December 2023.

Rules, procedures and models relating to veterinary health certificates are laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in accordance with paragraph 7 of Article 31 of Law No. 5996 (G/SPS/N/TUR/9).Below veterinary health certificate models have been prepared partly in compliance with the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 142/2011 of 25 February 2011: ·         Veterinary health certificate for flavouring innards for use in the manufacture of petfood, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;·         Veterinary health certificate for gelatine and collagen not intended for human consumption to be used as feed material or for purposes outside the feed chain, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;·         Veterinary health certificate for egg products not intended for human consumption that could be used as feed material, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;·         Veterinary health certificate for treated pig bristles, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;·         Veterinary health certificate for treated game trophies and other preparations of birds and ungulates, consisting only of bones, horns, hooves, claws, antlers, teeth, hides or skins, intended for dispatch to Türkiye.

Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food was notified to WTO through G/SPS/N/TUR/105 on 15 November 2018.The purpose of this draft Communiqué is to amend the Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food in line with the amendments 2020/1245/EU and 2023/1442/EU of the EU regulation 10/2011/EU.This amendment covers revisions of some monomers and starting substances to be used in the production of food contact plastic materials and articles and changes to migration test rules.This  regulation  enters  into  force  on  the  date  of  its  publication.  However, transitional period has been provided in Provisional Article 2.Provisional Article 2(1) The workplaces that produce, import and sell the products within the scope of this Communiqué must comply with the amendments made with the publication of the Communiqué until 1 January 2026.(2) Products that do not comply with the changes made with the publication of the Communiqué, but which were placed on the market before 1 January 2026, may be available on the market until 1 January 2028.

“The Turkish  Food Codex - Regulation  on  food  intended  for infants and young children and total diet replacement for weight control” was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/93  on 11 October 2017. An amendment for the aforementioned regulation was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/93/Add.1 on 11 August 2022.And now an amendment has been proposed by means of  “Turkish Food Codex Regulation Amending Turkish  Food Codex - Regulation  on  food  intended  for infants and young children and total diet replacement for weight control”.The amendment concerns the list of substances that may be added to total diet replacement for weight control.This Regulation will enter into force on 15 October 2023.

“Turkish Food Codex - Communiqué on Total Diet Replacement for Weight Control” was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/100 on 19 July 2018. An amendment has been proposed by means of “Turkish Food Codex Communiqué - Amending Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Total Diet Replacement for Weight Control”.The amendment concerns lipid and magnesium requirements for Total Diet Replacement for Weight Control.This Communiqué will enter into force on 15 October 2023.

“Turkish Food Codex - Communiqué on Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula and  Requirements  on  Information  Relating  to  Infant  and  Young  Child  Feeding” was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/99  on 19 July 2018. Two amendments for the aforementioned regulation were notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/99/Add.1 on 23 July 2019 and G/SPS/N/TUR/99/Add.2 on 11 August 2022.And now an amendment has been proposed by means of “Turkish Food Codex Communiqué - Amending Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula”.The amendment concerns protein requirements for infant and follow-on formula manufactured from protein hydrolysates.This Communiqué will enter into force on 15 October 2023.

Draft Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Amendment of Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Specifications for Food Additives was notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/76/Add.4 on 16 August 2023.  As the draft text for this notification has been missing in the notification,  this addendum has been prepared to share the Draft Turkish Food Codex Regulation.