Türkiye eases regulations on right of withdrawal for distance sales contracts

By Seda Tolmac

The Turkish Trade Ministry announced on Friday a new regulation concerning consumers’ right of withdrawal from distance sales contracts, allowing cancellations via text and email on sellers' platforms.

The regulation aims to better protect consumers by mandating that sellers provide detailed preliminary information, including mandatory contract content, forms, terms and exceptions of the right of withdrawal, and an authorization certificate, as stated in the official gazette.

The new rules will also require sellers to share their contact information to facilitate easier communication.

“The regulation is designed to prevent deception and protect consumers from being misled,” the ministry said.

Under the new regulation, customers will be required to handwrite the terms and exceptions of the right of withdrawal to ensure they acknowledge these conditions.

Additionally, the regulation grants customers the right to withdraw from products that are typically exempt, such as activation codes.

“An additional period has been defined to prevent sales without an authorization certificate. The application process for authorization certificates has been made stricter, and revocation has been facilitated if non-compliance with the regulation is detected,” the ministry added.

The regulation will take effect on January 1, 2025.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim