Turkey to ban carcinogenic, allergenic materials in products, impose limits on certain chemicals

Aysel Alp – ANKARA

Turkey will enforce a ban on carcinogenic and allergenic materials in a wide range of products starting from Dec. 23.

The ban prohibits the use of certain materials in dozens of items, including shoes, bags, accessories, watches, diapers, detergents, air fresheners, child care and textile products and cleaning materials. A limit on the use of some chemicals will also be imposed.

New regulations concerning the registration, evaluation, permission and limitation of certain chemicals were initially published in the Official Gazette on June 23.

According to the new rules, carcinogenic materials cannot be used in household objects that infants are able to touch with their mouths, including chairs and tables. The authorities will even check the floors of children’s parks to see whether they comply with the regulations.

The rules anticipate the collection of noncompliant products and heavy fines for producers and importers who violate the ban.

Controls on the final products will be carried out by the Customs and Trade Ministry, who has said the new rules are in line with European Union standards.

According to ministry officials, some chemicals will be limited rather than banned, with the amounts set by the EU.

“Previously, we were unable to check whether buttons and zippers contained lead but now we can. We will also look for dichlorobenzene in air fresheners and bathroom products. Lead will be banned from every object that an infant can touch with its mouth,” officials told daily Hürriyet on Dec. 11, adding that intense controls in the market would come into effect in January 2018.

“All carcinogenic and allergenic chemicals will be restricted according to EU limits,” they said.