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

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

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Understanding Battery EPR Compliance in Turkey: What Foreign Manufacturers Must Know
M
I’m Evren ozmen, a CPA based in Istanbul, advising remote workers, freelancers, and international founders on Turkish tax and cross-border structuring. I focus on practical tax strategies around: 100% service export income deduction Tax residency in Turkey Company formation for foreigners Remote work and international income I break down complex tax rules into clear, actionable guidance — without losing the legal and compliance reality behind them. info@ozmconsultancy.com 🇹🇷 Türkiye genelinde; yazılım ve dijital ürün geliştiren şirketler, yurt dışına uzaktan hizmet sunan profesyoneller, Teknopark firmaları, oyun stüdyoları ve mobil uygulama şirketlerine Türkçe ve İngilizce mali ve vergisel danışmanlık hizmetleri sunuyoruz. 📘 Insights & Publications: https://medium.com/@evrenozmen 📩 For Online Tax Advisory & Accounting Services/Danışmanlık-Mali Müşavirlik Hizmetleri: info@ozmconsultancy.com

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