WHAT IS THE STATUS OF SUBSTANCES STORED IN FREE ZONES UNDER THE SCOPE OF KKDİK?

Content addition date : 13-06-2025

The KKDİK (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation, which sets out the regulations regarding the production, import, and use of chemicals in Turkey, excludes certain special cases from its scope. So, is KKDİK registration required for chemicals stored in free zones?

Under the regulation, chemicals stored in free zones or in temporary storage for re-export purposes, provided that they do not undergo any processing or treatment, are exempt from KKDİK registration. This exemption applies to chemicals held in free zones, warehouses, or in transit solely for direct export.

However, if the chemicals undergo any physical or chemical processing, the KKDİK exemption will no longer be valid. For example:

• Transferring substances from large containers to smaller ones,

• Mixing different chemical substances to create a new mixture,

• Making any changes to the physical or chemical properties of the substance.

Such processes require KKDİK registration.

Therefore, it is important to note that chemicals stored in free zones are exempt from KKDİK registration only if they are solely stored and exported without undergoing any processing. However, if any modifications or processing take place, this exemption will not be applicable.

To ensure full compliance with the KKDİK Regulation, companies must manage their processes by taking these distinctions into account.