The application limit to consumer arbitration boards has been increased

The monetary limits for applications to consumer arbitration committees have been increased in proportion to the revaluation rate. In applications to be made next year, provincial or district consumer arbitration committees will be responsible for disputes with a value below 66 thousand TL. The communiqué of the Ministry of Commerce regarding the increase of the monetary limits specified in the regulation on consumer arbitration committees by 122.93 percent in proportion to the revaluation rate was published in the Official Gazette. With the communiqué, the monetary limits determined separately for metropolitan and non-metropolitan provinces in applications to consumer arbitration committees were removed and a single amount was determined. Accordingly, in 2023, provincial or district consumer arbitration committees will be responsible for consumer disputes with a value below 66 thousand TL. The Ministry of Commerce will determine the jurisdiction and division of labor of consumer arbitration committees. Applications can be made to the consumer arbitration committee in the place where the consumer is located or where the consumer transaction was made. Provincial consumer arbitration committees will be authorized within the provincial borders, while district consumer arbitration committees will be authorized within the district borders. In districts where a consumer arbitration board has not been established, the consumer arbitration board determined by the Ministry of Trade for that district will be deemed competent. In the same newspaper, a circular was also published regarding the increase in administrative fines regulated by the law on consumer protection to be implemented in 2023 in proportion to the revaluation rate.