Skip to main content

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Understanding Battery EPR Compliance in Turkey: What Foreign Manufacturers Must Know

Understanding Battery EPR Compliance in Turkey: What Foreign Manufacturers Must Know

Published
3 min readView as Markdown
Understanding Battery EPR Compliance in Turkey: What Foreign Manufacturers Must Know
E
Evren Özmen is an Istanbul-based CPA / SMMM advising remote workers, freelancers, contractors and international founders on Turkish taxation of foreign-client income. Founder, OZM Consultancy. Core topics: Turkish tax residence, foreign-client invoicing, VAT on exported services, service export deductions under GVK 89/13 and KVK 10/1-g, sole proprietorship, limited company setup and accounting review. Primary contact: info@ozmconsultancy.com Business website: https://ozmconsultancy.com This profile and Evrenozmen.com.tr provide general information. Case-specific review is required before applying any tax position.

Understanding Battery EPR Compliance in Turkey: What Foreign Manufacturers Must Know

Why Turkey’s EPR Framework Is Different

Unlike the EU, Turkey does not yet operate a unified EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) registry. Instead, compliance obligations are defined separately for each waste stream, and — most critically — they depend on who places the product on the Turkish market.
That entity (whether an importer, distributor, or manufacturer) becomes the legally responsible “producer” under Turkish law.

This fragmented system means that a one-size-fits-all EU compliance approach does not work in Turkey. Instead, companies need to identify their obligations per category and coordinate with the correct organizations.


Battery Categories and Compliance Routes

The regulatory landscape differs based on battery type:

Battery TypeCompliance StructureSupervising Body
Portable BatteriesCollection coordinated by TAP (Taşınabilir Pil Üreticileri Derneği), focused mainly on physical collection — not full EPR registration or reporting.TAP
Industrial / Stationary BatteriesManaged via producer take-back agreements and licensed recyclers, outside TAP’s framework.Licensed recyclers
Automotive (Lead-acid)Governed separately under the Accumulator Regulation.Ministry of Environment

For most foreign manufacturers, this fragmented structure creates uncertainty — particularly if batteries are embedded in products such as electronics or energy storage systems.


The Foreign Manufacturer’s Dilemma

In practice, a non-resident producer cannot directly fulfill EPR duties in Turkey without a local authorized representative or compliance partner.
Appointing a qualified local partner ensures:

  • Correct categorization of products and chemistries

  • Timely registration and annual reporting

  • Coordination with TAP, recyclers, and relevant waste authorities

  • Ongoing monitoring of new regulatory changes

This approach avoids non-compliance risks such as import restrictions, penalties, and loss of market access — common issues for companies relying on distributors who do not manage EPR duties properly.


What We Need to Assess Your Obligations

Before structuring an EPR roadmap, the following details are essential for each client or product group:

  1. Product type and chemistry (Li-ion, NiMH, Pb, etc.)

  2. Format (stand-alone batteries, embedded in devices, or large energy storage units)

  3. Sales model (direct export, via distributors, or OEM integration)

  4. Estimated annual volumes (in units or tonnes placed on the Turkish market)

  5. Additional EPR obligations — Does your portfolio include packaging or EEE (electrical and electronic equipment)?

Once this data is available, a full compliance map can be built — outlining the legal route, responsible entities, and expected costs.


How We Support You

At OZM Consultancy, we act as your local EPR compliance partner in Turkey, handling end-to-end coordination:

  • Regulatory classification and registration

  • Communication with TAP and recycling facilities

  • Periodic reporting and documentation

  • Strategic guidance on cost optimization

Our approach combines legal precision with practical experience from multiple EPR domains — batteries, packaging, and electronics — ensuring your market entry and sustainability compliance stay fully aligned.


Let’s Discuss Your EPR Strategy

If you wish to move forward with a structured compliance assessment, please share the product details outlined above.
Upon review, we will provide a customized compliance proposal describing your obligations, the recommended setup, and associated costs.

For deeper scenario analysis or ongoing strategic advisory (e.g., multi-category EPR design, distributor audits, or long-term compliance management), please note that our team provides hourly consulting support under professional terms.


Interested in exploring your EPR obligations in Turkey?
👉 Contact OZM Consultancy — your local partner for full EPR compliance, from registration to recycling.

info@ozmconsultancy.com

More from this blog

E

Evren Özmen CPA / SMMM | Turkey Tax Advisor for Remote Workers

3491 posts

Evren Özmen is an Istanbul-based CPA / SMMM publishing practical Turkish tax and accounting guidance for remote workers, freelancers, contractors and founders in Turkey earning active income from foreign clients. Topics include Turkish tax residence, VAT on exported services, service export deductions under GVK 89/13 and KVK 10/1-g, sole proprietorship, company setup and accounting review. Contact: info@ozmconsultancy.com