Turkey - GHS Status

The Second revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS2) is implemented in Türkiye with the Bylaw on Classification, Labelling, and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (Turkish CLP). Turkish CLP came into force on 11 December 2013. The bylaw established a transitional period for implementation of GHS that ended on 1 June 2015 for substances and on 1 June 2016 for mixtures.

The Turkish CLP regulation is aligned with the EU CLP regulation and is amended regularly in accordance with its Adaptations to Technical Progress (ATPs). The current Turkish CLP regulation was updated on 10 December 2020 to accommodate the changes of the 13th ATP of the European CLP regulation. The regulation aims to provide high-level protection against the negative effects on human health and the environment of substances or mixtures that are placed on the market as well as allowing freedom of movement for those substances by classifying them.

Local Adaptation of GHS

Overall, the CLP regulation in Turkey has implemented most of the classification and criteria of GHS2. However, there have been exceptions in the implementation of certain categories as listed below:

• Chemicals under Pressure, all categories

• Flammable Gas, Category 1A (Pyrophoric gases)

• Flammable Gas, Category 1A

• Flammable Gas, Category 1B

• Flammable Liquids, Category 4

• Desensitized Explosives, all categories

• Acute Toxicity, Category 5

• Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Category 3

• Serious eye damage/irritation, Subcategory 2A & 2B 

• Aspiration Hazard, Category 2 

• Aquatic Acute Toxicity, Category 2 and 3

GHS Labelling Requirements

Article 19 of the Turkish CLP Regulation contains the requirements for label practises and hazard communication contents. The label should contain the following in Turkish:

• Supplier's name, address, and telephone number.

• The nominal volume of the substance or the mixture in the package as supplied to the public, unless the volume on the package is indicated elsewhere.

• Identity of the substance or mixture (name, EC number or CAS number)

• Hazard pictograms (where applicable)

• Warning words (where applicable)

• Hazard statements (where applicable)

• Precautionary statements (where applicable)

• Additional information section (where applicable)

Safety Data Sheets

The preparation of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in Türkiye is regulated by two regulations: the Bylaw on Safety Data Sheets of Harmful Substances and Mixtures (2014), and KKDIK (2017). From 1 January 2024 SDSs must be authored according to the KKDIK.

Since the 2014 bylaw, authoring of SDSs has been limited to licensed authors who are trained and tested by accredited institutions. The KKDIK requires chemical safety assessors who are licensed according to Annex 18 of the KKDIK to prepare and approve the SDSs. The following general requirements are mandatory for an SDS in Türkiye:

• The SDS shall be written in Turkish.

• The SDS shall contain the 16 standard headings.

• The SDS shall be dated.

• A SDS shall be provided free of charge on paper or electronically.

• The SDS shall be updated as soon as new information which may affect the risk management measures, or new information on hazards becomes available, once an authorization has been granted or refused, and once a restriction has been imposed.

• The new, dated version of the information, shall be provided free of charge to recipients who have acquired the substance or mixture within the preceding 12 months.

GHS in Transport and Work-Environment

The Turkish CLP regulation does not cover the provisions regarding transportation of dangerous goods. However, it covers the communication of hazards in the workplace for the protection of the worker as well as the protection of the end user. The official guideline of the regulation mentions that CLP is “a horizontal piece of regulation” that can be used complimentary to other regulations.