Turkey's Environmental Label System Accepted for Full Membership

Turkey's Environmental Label System, accepted as an associate member of the Global Eco-Labelling Network in 2020, has been granted full membership following inspections. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanism and Climate Change has so far established "Environmental Label" criteria for ceramics, textiles, tissue paper, hand-washing dish detergent, cosmetics, glass, laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent, as well as for the tourist accommodation services group. The Ministry continues uninterrupted work on establishing criteria for different product and service groups. According to a statement from the Ministry, the "Turkey Environmental Label System" is a voluntary system aimed at promoting products and services determined to be environmentally conscious, informing consumers and producers. Additionally, within the framework of implementation, environmentally friendly standards are set for product and service groups, and products meeting these standards are awarded the "Environmental Label." The Ministry statement noted that dozens of products in various sectors have received the "Environmental Label" within the framework of implementation that will give preference to environmentally friendly products in domestic and foreign markets, while examinations continue regarding whether other companies that have applied meet the criteria. The statement also emphasized that the use of the "Environmental Label" is granted for a period of 4 years, and if requested 180 days before the expiration of this period, the period can be extended following an evaluation conducted by the technical review commission.

Full membership approved on 18 October 2022

Turkey's Environmental Label System became a member of the Global Eco-Labelling Network in 2020. Following an inspection conducted by the Global Eco-Labelling Network in 2022, full membership was approved on 18 October 2022. In this way, the international validity and recognition of Turkey's Environmental Label System was certified.

The Ministry's statement on the matter is as follows:

"Increasing the recognition of the Environmental Label System, establishing its brand, facilitating information exchange with other countries implementing eco-labeling systems, and thereby developing the Environmental Label System in accordance with today's needs make participation in the Global Eco-Labelling Network (GEN) a matter of importance." The statement noted that the Global Eco-Labelling Network is a non-profit international organization established in 1994 with the purpose of supporting, developing and promoting eco-labeled products and services containing international high-level environmental labeling systems. In the statement emphasizing that standards are determined in accordance with the European Union Eco-Label Regulation, it was noted that through the Environmental Label System, companies that prioritize energy efficiency, heat and water savings, and biodiversity conservation will meet with environmentally conscious citizens on shared values.