The Ministry of Trade made important regulations in import processes with the Communiqués on Product Safety and Inspection for 2025 published in the Official Gazette on December 31, 2024. In this context, the Communiqué on Import Inspection of Personal Protective Equipment(Product Safety and Inspection: 2025/11) entered into force as of January 1, 2025. The new regulations aim to increase security in import processes and make inspection processes more effective.
Changes in the Import of Personal Protective Equipment:
- GTIP Updates and Transition Period: The new communiqué highlights the changes made to the Customs Tariff Statistics Position (GTIP) codes. In order to adapt to these changes, a transition period until February 28, 2025 has been defined. During this period, the previous regulations will apply to imports of certain products.
- Inspections through TAREKS: The risk analysis criteria for inspections conducted through the Foreign Trade Risk-Based Control System (TAREKS) were expanded. In this way, it is aimed to conduct more effective and faster inspections in import processes.
- Importers’ Responsibility: The new regulations increase the responsibility of importers to ensure that products comply with the legislation. It is among the obligations of importers to ensure that imported products are safe and comply with standards.
Innovations in Other Communiqués:
Other communiqués published for 2025 include regulations on import inspections for various product groups. For example, the Communiqué on the Inspection of Compliance with Standards in Imports(Product Safety and Inspection: 2025/1) inspects the compliance of certain products with standards.
In addition, the Communiqué on Import Inspection of Mother and Baby Products(Product Safety and Inspection: 2025/17) regulates inspections of compliance with the regulations to which these products are subject in imports.
The Communiqué on Import Inspection of Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages(Product Safety and Inspection: 2025/19) determines the procedures and principles regarding the documentation of compliance with the relevant technical legislation in the import of these products.
Why Product Safety and Inspection is Important?
Consumer health and safety are among the prioritized targets in the import of products such as Personal Protective Equipment. Therefore, the new regulations require importers to assume more responsibility and meticulously check the compliance of products with the legislation.
The Ministry of Trade is continuously improving its inspection processes to strengthen product safety policies. The 2025 communiqués are part of these efforts, making the import process more transparent, reliable and harmonized.
