Recent Amendment

Pursuant to Article 30 of the Law No. 5684 on Insurance which entered into force in 2007, arbitration has been foreseen as a dispute resolution method for insurance related disputes. Rules and procedures regarding arbitration in insurance are regulated under the Regulation on Arbitration in Insurance No. 11554 ("Regulation") and there have been some changes to the Regulation in the Official Gazette No. 31564, dated 10 August 2021, which are summarized below.

New Development

The Information Technologies and Communication Authority (ITCA), through an announcement published on its website on 28 July 2021, opened the Draft Regulation Amending the Regulation regarding the Procedures and Principles on Implementation of the Law on the Electronic Signature to public consultation, which was drafted with the ITCA's Decision No. 2021/İK-BTD/192 of 13 July 2021. The Draft Regulation will be accessible through the ITCA's website for public consultation for a period of 30 days. The Draft Regulation is available here (in Turkish).

New Development

The Regulation on Amendment of the Regulation on Workplace Opening and Operation License was published in the Official Gazette No. 31553 on 30 July 2021. The amendment extend the compliance period for certain types of workplaces.

The Turkish Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Authority has published announcements on the implementation of the Medical Device Regulation and the normalization process following the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Development | The General Regulation on Market Surveillance and Inspection of Goods ("Regulation") entered into force pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 4269 published in the Official Gazette No. 31537 on 10 July 2021. The Regulation contains provisions concerning placing on the market appropriate and safe products aimed at maximizing the protection of the public interest as per the general product safety and technical regulations legislation, the duties and responsibilities of authorized authorities and coordination and cooperation in this field. The Regulation supersedes the Regulation on Market Surveillance and Inspection of Goods, which took effect with the Decision of the Council of Ministers on 13 November 2001.

Recent Development

Within the scope of the measures taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a unilateral termination prohibition was imposed on employers on 17 April 2020. Pursuant to Law No. 7252 on the Establishment of Digital Platforms Commission and Amendment of Certain Laws ("Law"), the president of the Turkish Republic was authorized to extend the termination prohibition and unpaid leave until 30 June 2021. Thus, the termination prohibition and unpaid leave was lastly extended until 30 June 2021 with Presidential Decision No. 3930. As of 1 July 2021, the termination prohibition and unpaid leave have ended. 

New Development

The Regulation on the Process of Identity Authentication of Applicants in the Electronic Communications Sector ("Regulation") of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (ITCA) was published in the Official Gazette No. 31523 on 26 June 2021. The Regulation, which will enter into force on 31 December 2021, lays down the procedures and principles for authenticating identity during the creation of electronic documents for subscription contracts and applications for transfer of phone number, change of operator, qualified electronic certificate and SIM card change in the electronic communications sector. The Regulation is available here (in Turkish).

Recent Development | The Regulation on Environmental Inspection and Decision No. 1286 of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey concerning the Extension of the Term of Office of the Commission working on Minimization of the Effects of Global Climate Change and Effective Use of Water Resources was published in Official Gazette No. 31509 on 12 June 2021.

Recent Development | The Regulation on CE Sign ("CE Regulation"), the Regulation on Adequacy Assessment Establishments and Approved Establishments ("Establishment Regulation") and the Regulation concerning the Adequacy Assessment Methods ("Assessment Regulation") drafted pursuant to Article 24(2)(a) and (b) of Law on Product Safety and Technical Requirements ("Law") No. 7223 were published and came into force on the Official Gazette No. 31493 on 27 May 2021. Subject regulations set forth crucial changes in terms of manufacturer's liabilities and the adequacy assessment establishments and approved establishment's obligations. The CE Regulation is available here (in Turkish). The Establishment Regulation is available here (in Turkish). The Assessment Regulation is available here (in Turkish).

Recent Development | The Ministry of Health published the Regulation on Units Concerning Neuromuscular Diseases ("Regulation") in the Official Gazette No. 31501 on 4 June 2021. The Regulation sets forth new rules to open units concerning neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS) or spinal muscular atrophy (also known as SMA), in health institutions and the minimum requirements. The Regulation is available here.