Fire Extinguishers and Vehicle Safety Kits Added to Regulated Goods List

The Ministry of Economy and Energy has declared fire extinguishers and vehicle safety kits consisting of a warning triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher as goods subject to regulatory controls.

An order prepared by the ministry’s Department of Commerce on the instructions of Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Taçoy was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force.

Accordingly, fire extinguishers and vehicle safety kits consisting of a warning triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher will now be subject to mandatory requirements under the new regulation.

The regulation was issued under Article 3 of the 1977 Goods and Services (Regulation and Inspection) Law. Under this authority, the Council of Ministers declared the products subject to both regulation and inspection.

One of the key provisions of the new order concerns the conformity certificates required for products placed on the market.

Accordingly, fire extinguishers and vehicle safety kits may be sold provided they comply with product safety legislation and carry CE and/or TSE certification or an equivalent certificate recognized internationally.

The order defines the CE mark as indicating compliance with the essential requirements of European Union product legislation, while TSE certification indicates that a product meets the quality, safety and conformity criteria established by the Turkish Standards Institution.

The regulation also imposes obligations on retailers. It requires compliant fire extinguishers and vehicle safety kits to be sold at retail outlets with the necessary information provided to consumers.

The regulation therefore not only establishes the standards that the products must meet, but also makes consumer information at the point of sale a requirement.

With the order entering into force on September 18, fire extinguishers have now been brought under regulatory controls not only in terms of pricing but also product safety and conformity certification.

‘WE WILL IMPLEMENT LAWS PROTECTING CITIZENS WITHOUT HESITATION’

Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Taçoy said they would not hesitate to intervene in situations that could harm consumers while remaining committed to a free-market economy, adding that the latest step had been taken to prevent some of the problems experienced recently.

“A free-market economy does not mean there will be no inspections,” Taçoy said, adding that they would take all necessary steps under existing legislation to protect consumers and prevent them from suffering losses.

Taçoy stressed that he had taken on a responsibility and was highly determined to fulfill it fully, adding that interventions aimed at the current structure of the market would continue decisively and without interruption.