Yenilenen televizyon satışları geliyor; 14 günlük cayma hakkı ekleniyor.

The Ministry of Commerce has presented the draft of the Regulation on Renewed Products for feedback from stakeholders. This draft expands the current framework for the sale of renewed products by including televisions in its scope. As a result, the rules that have been applied to mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, computers, gaming consoles, and modems will now also include televisions. Additionally, the Ministry plans to implement the Renewed Product Information System, or YÜBİS, to monitor the renewal process.

Under the current regulations, the Ministry of Commerce categorizes renewed products such as mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, computers, gaming consoles, and modems separately. The Ministry’s informational documents state that these products are renewed and certified in authorized centers before being put up for sale. Moreover, there is a condition for a minimum 1-year warranty on renewed products. The new draft expands this framework by incorporating televisions, thereby increasing the scope of the certified second-hand electronics market.

According to the draft, the Ministry will strengthen digital tracking for the registration and monitoring of renewed products. Renewal operations will be conducted through YÜBİS, adhering to the regulations determined by the Ministry. In addition, an electronic certificate produced by the system will be issued to the consumer, making this a mandatory step. Furthermore, the Ministry aims to make not only the sales moment visible but also various stages of the renewal process.

Through YÜBİS, authorized sellers, on-site renewal points, authorization information, and inquiries regarding lost, stolen, or smuggled products will be monitored alongside document validity. The system will also allow checking the validity of qualification certificates and renewal authorization certificates. Certain data from this will be accessible to consumers, enabling them to verify some product history information prior to purchase.

Draft Expands Consumer Rights and Recording Tracking

The draft not only adds new products to the system but also imposes new obligations on renewal centers and sellers. Renewal centers, authorized sellers, on-site renewal points, and other information and documents defined by the Ministry will be registered in YÜBİS. Furthermore, authorized centers will have to maintain Turkish language user manuals prepared by the manufacturer or importer concerning the renewed products on their websites. Upon consumer request, these manuals must be provided in written form or through a permanent data storage device.

There is an additional obligation regarding guidance materials. If changes to the user manual of the renewed product are necessary, the renewal center must prove that the consumer was informed of these changes. Also, sales conducted by authorized sellers using credit cards will be processed via the renewal center’s virtual POS. Moreover, the draft stipulates that a renewed product can only be renewed again after a minimum of 30 days has passed since the date of sale.

The draft elaborates on the conditions concerning the renewal authorization certificate. Businesses wanting to obtain this certificate must hold a qualification certificate compliant with the criteria set by the Ministry, and they must be incorporated entities. Additionally, the Ministry will establish a 5-member commission to evaluate warnings, suspensions, or cancellations issued based on audits and inspections concerning the authorization certificate. This commission will assist in the decision-making process regarding authorization certificate-related activities.

There are also additional conditions for renewing used goods containing electronic identification data. Products must be listed in the white list on the e-Government service. Additionally, there must be records of data, voice, or message traffic spanning at least 1 year before the renewal process. This draft also stipulates the need to document previous usage traces of the products entering the renewal process.

The valuation of used items must be completed within 3 business days after the product is delivered to the renewal center, authorized seller, or on-site renewal point. The product’s monetary value, along with any discounts or promised benefits like coupons, will be provided on the day the consumer confirms acceptance of the valuation. In contracts involving exchanges, these benefits will be given on the day the consumer fulfills their obligations regarding the transaction. The draft specifies the timeframe for payments and the transfer of benefits clearly.

One of the most significant changes regarding consumer rights resides in the right of withdrawal. The draft extends the 14-day right of withdrawal applicable to distance sales to other sales methods as well. Consequently, in the sale of renewed products, the relevant regulations for distance contracts will be implemented. Furthermore, in contracts formed through other methods, consumers may withdraw from the contract without needing to provide a reason and without facing penalties within 14 days.

The draft regulation is expected to come into effect within 3 months after publication. This will serve to add another link to the prior regulation enacted on August 22, 2020, and subsequent changes made in 2021 and 2024. Furthermore, the regulations made in 2024 regarding the registration of used products with electronic identification data in the Ministry’s information system have been detailed further in this draft. By including televisions in its scope, the draft consolidates recording, certification, inquiry, payment, withdrawal rights, and document obligations into a single text.