Developments Regarding the Sale of Refurbished Products

With the addition of a new provision to the relevant article of the Regulation on the Sale of Refurbished Products (“Regulation”), renewal centers, branches, authorized sellers, and authorized buyers will be able to use the distinctive logo determined by the Ministry of Trade (“Ministry”) in their advertisements and promotions for refurbished products.

This amendment provides a clarifying framework regarding the design and use of the distinctive logo to be used in the promotion of refurbished products. The intended purposes of this change can be summarized under several headings:

- Establishment of Standards: The distinctive logo determined by the Ministry indicates that a certain standard and quality are ensured for refurbished products. This also contributes to reinforcing the regulations in the sector in a positive way.

- Transparency: The use of a distinctive logo will highlight the quality and reliability of refurbished products, helping consumers understand that the products comply with the standards. Similarly, the visibility of the logo will assist consumers in better understanding the features and benefits of refurbished products.

- Competition: The use of the logo will provide a competitive advantage in the promotion of refurbished products. Brands and sellers will be able to distinguish their products in the market by using this logo.

The Ministry has also specified details regarding the format of the logo and exemplified it in various ways as follows:

In addition to the amendment published on 18.04.2023 and the logo format released by the Ministry, there are several developments that came into effect with the Official Gazette on 21.08.2024 and should be considered. These developments are as follows:

- Recording of Information and Documents in the Ministry’s System: Real or legal persons engaged in the trade of used goods with electronic identity information, such as mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, computers, game consoles, and modems, along with workplaces listed in this Regulation, are required to register the information and documents determined by the Directorate General of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance (“Directorate General”) in the system established by the Ministry. This obligation will be implemented three months after the announcement is made on the Ministry’s website.

- Addition of “Suspension Provision” to the Article on Cancellation of Renewal Authorization Certificates: In case of violations of the Regulation, and if these violations are not rectified despite a written warning from the Directorate General, the authorization certificate will be suspended for six months instead of being canceled, depending on the nature of the violation. An additional article was also added, stipulating that a renewal center whose certificate has been canceled cannot be reissued this certificate for a period of one year from the date of cancellation.

- Ability to Conduct Renewal Activities by Branches: Within this scope, renewal centers can carry out the renewal activities covered by the Regulation through authorized buyers and sellers, who have been granted branch renewal authority, in compliance with the regulations or standards set for branches by the Ministry or the Turkish Standards Institute, provided they hold a service competence certificate.

- Definition of Refurbished Products: The definition of refurbished products has been expanded to include warranties and services provided against user errors, thus addressing these products in a broader context.

In light of these changes, the aim is to improve the quality and reliability of refurbished products, provide consumers with the means to make informed choices, and maintain high standards in the industry.

You can access the full text of the Regulation via this link, and the Ministry's announcement regarding the logos via this link.