CERTILOOP | Exporters will now obtain certification in Türkiye to avoid ‘additional taxes

Exporters will now obtain certification in Türkiye to avoid ‘additional taxes

10 Kasım 2025 Yağmur Cengiz Eroğlu

Certiloop Brings to Türkiye the Certification That Grants Exemption from the EU Plastic Tax

Exporters now save thousands of euros by obtaining certification domestically.

Türkiye has taken a significant step to provide tax advantages in the export of plastic-containing products. CERTILOOP Green Transformation Certification Services Inc. has launched Türkiye’s first and only domestic recycling certification program, paving the way for Turkish exporters to ship their products to Europe without being subject to additional taxes.

CERTILOOP General Manager Yağmur Eroğlu noted that companies exporting to the United Kingdom and Spain previously had to obtain this certification exclusively from an organization based in Belgium in order to avoid the so-called “plastic tax.” She stated:

“Companies can now certify in Türkiye how much of the product they export consists of recycled material. This allows them to avoid the tax of €450 per ton applied to the recycled portion. Considering that this tax is expected to expand across Europe in the near future, obtaining certification in Türkiye will become increasingly important for Turkish exporters.”

Plastic taxes, which initially began in the UK and Spain and are expected to spread throughout Europe, have caused concern among Turkish exporters. If the plastic content in products shipped to Europe is not recycled, a tax of €450 per ton is imposed. To benefit from exemptions, companies must document the recycled plastic content of their products through independent and accredited certification bodies.

Within this framework, Türkiye developed its own certification system and launched its first and only domestic recycling certification program through CERTILOOP Green Transformation Certification Services Inc., operating under TÜRKAK and European Accreditation systems. As a result, companies exporting products containing plastic can now obtain internationally valid certificates directly from Türkiye.

Thanks to Türkiye’s own accredited system, industrial manufacturers no longer need to rely on foreign testing and certification processes and can access internationally recognized certifications more quickly and cost-effectively. Recognized by Brussels-based PolyCert Europe, CERTILOOP stands out as the only program accepted outside Europe.

THE ONLY REQUIREMENT TO AVOID TAXES: CERTIFICATION

Eroğlu emphasized that they have become one of only two accredited organizations worldwide. Explaining the process related to the EU plastic tax, she said:

“Currently, Spain and the UK impose a plastic tax of €450 per ton on imported products containing non-recycled plastic, and this practice will expand to other European countries. The only way to avoid this tax is to prove how much of the exported product is made from recycled plastic. For example, if half of the plastic in your product’s packaging is recycled, you are exempt from tax on that portion—but you must document it. This is exactly where CERTILOOP provides certification services for exporters.”

A POTENTIAL SAVING OF €170 MILLION

Eroğlu stated that until now this certification had been provided only by a Belgium-based organization, but after extensive efforts, a Turkish company has become the second accredited body operating from Türkiye.

“We provide significant tax relief for Turkish exporters. According to our calculations, exporters could potentially avoid approximately €170 million in taxes based solely on exports to the UK and Spain, thanks to certified products.”

She added that while the regulation currently applies to only two countries, it is expected to expand across Europe. Moreover, under upcoming EU packaging regulations, products that do not contain recycled materials may eventually be completely banned from entering the European market. Companies will be required to transition to recyclable packaging by 2030, making certification mandatory for every product.

APPLICATIONS ALSO COMING FROM ABROAD

Eroğlu noted that more than 100 companies have already applied for certification, with 25 having completed the process so far:

“These companies were facing challenges exporting directly to Spain and the UK because they could not document the recycled content of their plastics. Previously, everyone had to go to Belgium; now they come to us. We are also receiving applications from abroad. For example, companies in Spain ask us to audit and certify their suppliers in Türkiye.”

She highlighted that approximately 1,500 Turkish companies currently export plastic-containing products to the UK and Spain and emphasized the strong growth potential of this field.

Concluding her remarks, Eroğlu said:

“This certificate will serve both as an EU-approved indicator of environmental responsibility and as the key to cost advantages. In this way, Türkiye is turning its vision into reality—protecting the environment while providing exporters with a strong competitive advantage in global markets through a domestically developed certification model.”