Notifications for Turkey (168 notifications)

Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Specifications for Food Additives which was notified in G/SPS/N/TUR/76 (07 October 2016) has been amended in content about the specifications of E 422, E 471, E 475 and E 476. Amendments have been made in order to align our national legislation with "European Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1329 of 29 June 2023 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E 476) and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards specifications for glycerol (E 422), polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (E 475) and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E 476)", and "European Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1428 of 7 July 2023 amending the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471)".

This corrigendum concerns some clerical changes. Notification G/SPS/N/TUR/109/Add.5 should be read as follows:The European Union published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1032 of 25 May 2023 establishing measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union territory of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and the implementation date was extended until 31 August 2023.The implementation of the phytosanitary measures of Türkiye included in the SPS notification G/SPSN/TUR/109/Add.4, published in accordance with this regulation, has also been extended until 31 August 2023.In addition, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1032 of 25 May 2023 specifies the implementation period and the new phytosanitary measures to be implemented as of 1 September 2023.The phytosanitary requirements for tomato and pepper seeds and plants for planting purposes from countries after 31 August 2023 within the scope of harmonization with this regulation are stated below, which will be valid from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024.For tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum sp.) plants for planting purposes other than those belonging to varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV:1.a) an official declaration that the plants intended for planting have been obtained from seeds that comply with the specified requirements;b) an official declaration that the plants intended for planting have been produced at a production site registered and inspected by the national plant protection agency in the country of origin and known to be free from the specified pest organism on the basis of official inspections, sampling and testing carried out at the appropriate time to detect the pest organism;c) the name of the registered production site;must be indicated in the Phytosanitary Certificate under the heading "Additional Declaration".2. For the planting of varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV, the resistance of certain tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum  sp. plants must be indicated in the Phytosanitary Certificate under the heading "Additional Declaration".Except for certain tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum sp. seeds of varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV;1.a)i) products must have been produced at a production site known to be free of the specified harmful organism, based on official inspections conducted at the appropriate time to detect ToBRFV;ii) in the case of a specific seed batch from more than 30 mother plants, it must be stated that the seed batch has been subjected to analysis using the RT-PCR method prior to processing and that the product is free of the pest organism in question;iii) in the case of a specific batch of seeds originating from fewer than or equal to 30 mother plants, that the specified seeds or mother plants are free from the specified pest organism, using the RT-PCR analysis method;b) information ensuring the traceability of the production site of the mother plants must be indicated in the Phytosanitary Certificate under the heading "Additional Declaration".2. Seeds of varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV should be indicated as "Additional Declaration" in the Phytosanitary Certificate.3. For certain seeds harvested before 31 August 2023, the country's phytosanitary and quarantine legislation must be determined to comply with the requirements of EU legislation (Commission Implementing Directive No. 2020/1191). The additional declaration of the Phytosanitary Certificate must include the statement "The seeds were harvested before 31 August 2023 and were found to be free of the specified pest organism using the PT-PCR analysis method."

The European Union published Commission Implementing Directive No: 2023/1032 dated 25 May 2023 and the implementation date was extended until 31 August 2023.The implementation of the phytosanitary measures of Türkiye included in the SPS notification G/SPSN/TUR/109/Add.4 published in accordance with this directive has also been extended until 31 August 2023.In addition, Commission Implementing Directive No: 2023/1032 dated 25 May 2023 specifies the the implementation period and the new phytosanitary measures to be implemented as of 1 September 2023.The phytosanitary requirements for tomato and pepper seeds and plants for planting purposes from countries after 31 August 2023 within the scope of harmonization with this directive are stated below, which will be valid from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024.For tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum sp.) plants for planting purposes other than those belonging to varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV:  1. a) an official declaration that the plants intended for planting have been obtained from seeds that comply with the specified requirements;b) an official declaration that the plants intended for planting have been produced at a production site registered and inspected by the national plant protection agency in the country of origin and known to be free from the specified pest organism on the basis of official inspections, sampling and testing carried out at the appropriate time to detect the pest organism;c) the name of the registered production site must be indicated in the Phytosanitary Certificate of Lycopersicum Capsicum under the heading "Additional Declaration";2. For the planting of varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV, the resistance of certain tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum sp.) plants must be indicated in the Phytosanitary Certificate of Lycopersicum Capsicum under the heading "Additional Declaration".Except for certain tomato (Lycopersicum solanum) and pepper (Capsicum sp.) seeds of varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV:1. a. i) products must have been produced at a production site known to be free of the specified harmful organism, based on official inspections conducted at the appropriate time to detect ToBRFV;ii) in the case of a specific seed batch from more than 30 mother plants, it must be stated that the seed batch has been subjected to analysis using the RT-PCR method prior to processing and that the product is free of the pest organism in question;iii) in the case of a specific batch of seeds originating from fewer than or equal to 30 mother plants, that the specified seeds or mother plants are free from the specified pest organism, using the RT-PCR analysis method;b) information ensuring the traceability of the production site of the mother plants must be indicated in the Phytosanitary Certificate of Lycopersicum capsicum under the heading "Additional Declaration";2. Seeds of varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV should be indicated as "Additional Declaration" in the Phytosanitary Certificate;3. For certain seeds harvested before 31 August 2023, the country's phytosanitary and quarantine legislation must be determined to comply with the requirements of EU legislation (Commission Implementing Directive No: 2020/1191). The additional declaration of the Phytosanitary Certificate must include the statement "The seeds were harvested before 31 August 2023 and were found to be free of the specified pest organism using the PT-PCR analysis method."

‘’Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Classification and Maximum Residue Limits of Pharmacologically Active Substances in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin’’ were notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/65/Add.1 on 23/01/2017 ‘’Turkish Food Codex Regulation Amending the Regulation on Classification and Maximum Residue Limits of Pharmacologically Active Substances in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin’’ were notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/103 on 11/09/2018An 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 active substance Bambermycin and Imidacloprid.This regulation will enter into force on 31  July 2023.

This Communiqué covers analysis methods of olive oil and olive-pomace oil. The previous draft which was notified under G/SPS/N/TUR/106 has not been enacted and the new Draft Communiqué has been prepared in line with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2105.

The proposal on the Communiqué on Import of Breeding and Non-breeding Animals and Germinal Products notified in G/SPS/N/TUR/136 was circulated on 7 February 2023.Türkiye is extending the comment period until 7 March 2023 in response to requests made by several National Enquiry Points.

As of 1 March 2023 Türkiye will require a phytosanitary certificate indicating that used agricultural machinery products (HS codes given below) do not contain soil, pests and plant residues in the additional declaration section of the certificate and these products shall be subject to phytosanitary control upon entry into the country.The additional declaration section of the phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of the exporting country for the import of the machineries in question to Türkiye should include an additional statement explained below:      “The machineries have been controlled and cleaned before export and are free from soil, pests and plant residues (including  seeds and other plant parts capable of propagation).”    Additional declaration requirement is relevant for following products given in HS codes below:   84.32 Agricultural, horticultural or forestry machinery for soil preparation or cultivation; lawn or sports-ground rollers. (used or renovated)84.33 Harvesting or threshing machinery, incl. straw or fodder balers; grass or hay mowers; machines for cleaning, sorting or grading eggs, fruit or other agricultural produce; parts thereof (other than machines for cleaning, sorting or grading seed, grain or dried leguminous vegetables of heading 8437) (used or renovated)8436.80.10.00.00 Forestry machinery (used or renovated)8701.21.90.00.00 Used8701.91.10.00.00 Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled (used or renovated)8701.92.10.00.00 Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled (used or renovated)8701.93.10.00.00 Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled (used or renovated)8701.94.10.00.00 Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled (used or renovated)8701.95.10.00.00 Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled (used or renovated)Accordingly, the above-mentioned products shall be returned or destroyed in the event that they do not carry a phytosanitary certificate containing the additional declaration issued by the NPPO of the exporting country and if they are not found suitable (the presence of any of the causes of soil, pests, plant residues, reproduce seeds and other plant parts capable of propagation) as a result of the phytosanitary control to be carried out upon entry into Türkiye.

The purpose of this communiqué is to regulate the issues related to the importation of breeding and non-breeding animals and germinal products. This communiqué covers:-       breeding and non-breeding animals and germinal products;-       the approval of the Control Document required for the import of fattening, slaughtering cattle and sheep-goat type animals, equidae, poultry, bees and other animals and germinal products;-       document requirements and the issues related to the issuance of the Veterinary Health Certificate.The Communiqué regulates the conditions that restrict the approval of the Control Document, the issuance and validity period of the Veterinary Health Certificate.The Communiqué provides the opportunity to prepare and approve documents in electronic environment.This Communiqué brings together other legislation that was previously in effect. It contains revisions that make it easier in practice.

As of 31 March 2023 Türkiye requires that tobacco (partly or wholly stemmed/stripped) products shall accompany a phytosanitary certificate and shall be subject to phytosanitary control upon entry into the country.Therefore, if the products in question do not carry a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of the exporting country or are not found suitable after the phytosanitary control at the entry, they will be either returned or destroyed.

There were some minor mistakes in the wording of certificates (in part 1.24. Type of packaging)Therefore, it is necessary to correct these mistakes. Corrected/updated certificates are attached.

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 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235:-       Veterinary Health Certificate for intermediate products to be used for the manufacture of medicinal products, veterinary medicinal products, medical devices for medical and veterinary purposes, active implantable medical devices, in vitro diagnostics medical devices for medical and veterinary purposes, laboratory reagents and cosmetic products, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;-       Veterinary Health Certificate for apiculture by-products intended exclusively for use in apiculture, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;-       Veterinary Health Certificate for hydrolysed protein, dicalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate not intended for human consumption to be used as feed material or for uses outside the feed chain, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;-       Veterinary Health Certificate for animal by-products to be used for purposes outside the feed chain or for trade samples, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;-       Veterinary Health Certificate for fish and other aquatic animals not intended for human consumption to be used as feed material, intended for dispatch to Türkiye;-       Veterınary Health Certifıcate for casings intended for human consumption, intended for dispatch to Türkiye.

This Regulation covers the microbiological criteria for foodstuffs and the rules that food business operators must comply with. The Regulation includes:·     Annex I Food safety criteria;·     Annex II Process hygiene criteria;·     Annex III Limits of Pathogenic Microorganisms; and·     Annex IV Rules for sampling and preparation of test samples.With the enactment of the new Regulation, Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Microbiological Criteria published in the Official Gazette dated 29 December 2011 and numbered 28157 shall be repealed.

The objective of this Regulation is to determine the necessary methods and basis in  order to prevent the transmission and spreading of pest organisms through wooden package materials. This Regulation covers principles regarding the heat treatment application and ISPM 15 marking and traceability marking on wooden packaging materials  to be used in export, issuance of permit certificates, licensed businesses, non-permitted businesses, suppliers, users, HT/DH heat treatment furnace installation permit and marking apparatus sales permit, inspection and responsibilities of the businesses and the inspection of wooden packaging materials, in order to prevent the spread of harmful organisms carried with packaging materials made of wood.It covers the principles regarding only the production stages completed wooden packaging materials and the elimination of harmful organisms.It introduces the security hologram application and it is explained in articles 3 and 4.

The proposal on the Communiqué on Edible Caseins and Caseinates notified in G/SPS/N/TUR/97 on 26 January 2018 is now published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiyedated 13 December 2022 and numbered 32042. This Communiqué entered into force on the date of its publication.Food business operators operating before the publication date of this Communiqué shall comply with the provisions of this Communiqué until 31 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 exportation of milk, milk-based products and milk-derived products not intended for human consumption to the Republic of Türkiye”;“Veterinary health certificate for exportation of blood products not intended for human consumption that could be used as feed material to the Republic of Türkiye”.

The Draft Communique on the ice-cream was notified on 28 November 2017 with the notification symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/96. The Communique was published in the Türkiye Official Gazette dated 26 October 2022 and numbered 31995 as the below.This Communique will enter into force on publication date with the transition period until 31 December 2023.

The Regulation on the specifications of food additives was firstly notified on 7 October 2016 with the notification symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/76. An addendum was notified on 9 June 2022, with the notification symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/76/Add.2, to the related Regulation because of modifications of content. After that, the Regulation is now being notified again because of the amendments in the draft Regulation before publication.This regulation will enter into force on 15 January 2023.

This Regulation covers maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodand the responsibilities for the identification, prevention, reduction or elimination of the source of the risk associated with the contaminants.The Regulation consists of nitrates, mycotoxins, heavy metals, 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters, dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), melamine and their structural analogues, natural plant toxins, perchlorate and other contaminants.With the enactment of the new Regulation, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Contaminants published in the Official Gazette dated 29 December 2011 and numbered 28157 shall be repealed.

The Draft Communique on the fermented milk products was notified on 22 November 2016 with the notification symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/80. The Communique was published in the Türkiye Official Gazette dated 30 November 2022 and numbered 32029 as below.This Communique will enter into force on publication date with the transition period until 31 December 2023.

Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Sugar, notified through G/SPS/N/TUR/101 on 10 August 2018, entered into force on 20 August 2022.The main difference between the Communiqué that entered into force in 2022 and the draft Communiqué notified in 2018 is related to article 10 (1)-I. In the naming of the products in subparagraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (ğ) of the first paragraph of Article 4 of the aforementioned communiqué, the source from which they were obtained should be written in parentheses following the product names. The same applies if these products are used as ingredients in the composition of a food.Food establishment operators operating before the publication date of this Communiqué are obliged to comply with the provisions of this Communiqué until 31 December 2024.Products labelled or placed on the market before 31 December 2024 may be available on the market until the end of their shelf life.The provisions of the Turkish Food Codex Sugar Communiqué (Communiqué No. 2006/40), which has been repealed, shall apply to food establishment operators operating before the publication date of this Communiqué until they comply with the provisions of this Communiqué.