Selçuk Gülsün Assesses Current State of KKDIK

Checking source language and content for translation requirements. Assessing the current status of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) implementation, Selçuk Gülsün, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Plastic Manufacturers Association (PAGDER), stated, "Today, chemical inputs are used in all industrial production. As of 2024, there was a possibility that imports of chemicals not finalised under REACH registration would cease, and consequently, our country's industrial production could face serious disruption. As a result of meetings we held with the Ministry starting from the beginning of 2023, we have reached a consensus on a phased transition to the application."

A Major Threat to Our Industry

Expressing that they have closely monitored the issue at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change since the beginning of 2023 and have taken steps to inform the public, Gülsün said, "The mere possibility of implementing this regulation posed a major threat to Turkish industry. As is known, many of our sectors engaged in qualified production export through long-term contracts. For this reason, it is extremely important that foreign buyers have confidence in our production capacity and capabilities. If the current situation continues and the number of registered chemical products is insufficient by year-end, it would become difficult to renew export contracts. Some raw materials important to our country's industry are not produced domestically, and we import these products. Moreover, certain chemical substances critical for value-added production enter our country in limited quantities, and for this reason, our suppliers abroad do not wish to bear the REACH costs for these limited products. Another problem is the inability to conduct tests in our country to meet REACH requirements and the difficulties Turkish companies face when trying to purchase the registration dossier for the relevant chemical from consortiums in Europe. Given the need to resolve all these problems, phased transition to the REACH application is of great importance," he explained. [caption id="attachment_157397" align="aligncenter"] Selçuk Gülsün[/caption]

Close Work with the Ministry Has Yielded Results

Stating that thanks to their close contact with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change since the beginning of 2023, a solution favourable to our country and the chemical sector is being reached, Gülsün said, "I would like to thank everyone at the Ministry, particularly the General Directorate of Environmental Management, who works on this issue. They made tremendous efforts for the healthy progress of the process and included all stakeholders in these efforts. As a result of all parties' good-faith and dedicated work, a consensus is being reached on phased transition to the REACH application. In this context, products to be registered under REACH will be divided into 3 separate phases as +1,000 tonnes, 100-1,000 tonnes and 1-100 tonnes, and the transition process will be phased. Additionally, the timeline will be revised to present a schedule that also takes into account the realities of industry. We can say that the work is currently in its final stages and will be completed in the near future," he concluded.