The Ministry of Trade is implementing new regulations to protect consumers in e-commerce. The "Regulation on Amending the Distance Contracts Regulation," published in the Official Gazette and scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2026, paves the way for a safer and fairer process in e-commerce shopping.
Here are the details of these regulations made in favor of consumers:
📦 Return Shipping Cost Now Belongs to the Seller
Consumers will not pay the return shipping fee when they use their right of withdrawal in distance sales contracts. This fee will now be covered by the seller or provider.
This decision was made in line with the proposals brought forward at the 28th Consumer Council. Thus, an important step has been taken towards protecting the economic interests of consumers.
📱 Right of Withdrawal Returned for Electronic Products
The right of withdrawal was previously restricted for electronic products such as mobile phones, smartwatches, and computers. However, this decision has been reconsidered.
With the new regulation, these products have been excluded from the scope of the right of withdrawal exception. Consumers will now have the right to return these products within 14 days of purchase without giving any reason.
⚖️ Mediation Process Information Becomes Mandatory
In case of a dispute between the consumer and the seller, the requirement to apply to a mediator before going to court will be included in the preliminary information forms.
This step will enable consumers to act more consciously while exercising their rights and to evaluate reconciliation methods before applying to court.
🔍 So, When Will All These Changes Take Effect?
All the regulations mentioned above will enter into force on January 1, 2026. This date will also be an important milestone for sellers, as they will need to adapt their systems to these regulations.
🛒 A Safer E-Commerce Experience for Consumers
These steps taken by the Ministry of Trade aim to increase consumer trust and strengthen the transparency of the e-commerce system. Clarification of the right of withdrawal, return conditions, and dispute resolution processes is redefining the rules of online shopping.
A new era in e-commerce begins with 2026. These regulations aim to create a fairer and more reliable shopping environment by clarifying the rights of both consumers and sellers.
📝 As Navlungo, we closely follow this process and continue to offer solutions that will protect the rights of our business partners and customers in the best possible way.
