Turkish Products May Qualify as “Made in EU” Under New EU Industrial Law

Türkiye may gain additional opportunities to participate in European Union industrial programs thanks to a new EU industrial policy bill, Minister of Trade of Türkiye Ömer Bolat said.

The bill, prepared by the European Commission and titled the “Industry Acceleration Act” (Sanayi Hızlandırma Yasası), introduces the “Made in EU” criterion for participation in certain EU programs and public procurement. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s production capacity and enhance the competitiveness of European products in strategic sectors.

These sectors include steel, cement, aluminum, automotive, and technologies supporting the “net-zero” transition.

According to Minister Bolat, a key point for Ankara is that the “Made in EU” criterion can also apply to partner countries that have free trade agreements or customs unions with the EU, such as Türkiye. This means that some products manufactured in Türkiye under the Customs Union may be considered European when participating in EU programs and public tenders.

Bolat described this development as a positive and constructive step, confirming the legal basis for including Türkiye in this policy. He emphasized the importance for investment continuity and enterprises on both sides. Türkiye remains a vital and reliable part of European production chains, particularly in the automotive sector. The new rules are expected to deepen sectoral integration between Türkiye and the EU and accelerate green and digital transformation in manufacturing.

At the same time, the bill allows the European Commission to exclude third countries that do not provide a national regime to EU-produced goods. The final decision on the bill will be made after discussion in the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.