ETBİS -ELEKTRONİK TİCARET BİLGİ PLATFORMU- NEDİR? NASIL KAYIT OLUNUR?

WHAT IS ETBIS (ELECTRONIC COMMERCE INFORMATION PLATFORM)? HOW TO REGISTER?

What is ETBIS?

ETBIS, an important concept frequently encountered by businesses and entrepreneurs operating in the e-commerce sector, is known as "Electronic Commerce Information Platform". ETBIS is a comprehensive and integrated digital platform that brings together all companies operating in the field of e-commerce on a central system under the supervision and control of the Ministry of Customs and Trade.

ETBIS officially became operational with a detailed circular published in the Official Gazette on August 11, 2017. This important system has introduced a comprehensive registration requirement for all service providers operating in the field of e-commerce and companies that are intermediary service providers. This system, which has become an indispensable part of the electronic commerce ecosystem and is accepted as a legal requirement, continues to be in effect as a basic procedure that all e-commerce businesses must meticulously comply with and follow.

ETBİS's Purposes and Importance in E-commerce

ETBİS is a system developed for the control, audit and tracking of statistical data for commercial activities. It facilitates up-to-date tracking by recording sectoral data.

Within the scope of e-commerce legislation, ETBİS subjects the electronic commerce process to legal audit and ensures regular auditing of companies. In this way, both e-commerce activities are monitored and consumer rights are protected. The system makes the entire e-commerce process transparent and controllable, from complaints to transaction transactions.

ETBİS provides trust and transparency to consumers by keeping records of companies in the e-commerce sector. The system allows easy review of businesses' contact information, identity information and commercial activities. ETBİS also serves as an important audit mechanism for ensuring competition compliance, protecting consumer rights and monitoring legal regulations.

The system focuses on protecting consumer rights and provides a safe shopping environment. Consumers can submit their complaints via ETBİS and follow the developments in the process via the platform.

As the volume of e-commerce grows every day, ETBİS has become a critical tool for tracking business profiles, competitive analysis and evaluating market potential. The system protects the interests of both consumers and businesses by moving e-commerce to a transparent, reliable and legal basis.

Legal Basis of ETBİS

The law enacted "On the Regulation of Electronic Commerce" constitutes the basic legal framework that comprehensively regulates and supervises the electronic commerce ecosystem in Turkey. This law ensures that e-commerce activities are carried out within the framework of certain standards, while also requiring businesses to be registered. The ETBİS platform has been put into service for users in line with these legal regulations.

Other important regulations that support the legal infrastructure of the e-commerce ecosystem include the Distance Contracts Regulation, comprehensive communiqués published by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, and basic legislation such as the Advertising Principles and Implementation Principles Regulation regulating advertising activities in electronic commerce. All of these regulations function as an integrated system that forms the legal framework of ETBİS.

In order for the ETBİS system to provide effective and purposeful service, it is a legal obligation for all businesses operating commercially over the internet to register with the system. In this context, e-commerce platforms must not only register, but also continue all their activities in accordance with the relevant legal regulations and update them regularly. These legal requirements are of critical importance for the healthy functioning of the e-commerce ecosystem and the protection of consumer rights.

Legal Items to Consider in the ETBİS Compliance Process

There are important issues that companies that sell over the internet should pay attention to in the ETBİS compliance process. Businesses are obliged to comply with the determined legal regulations and take the necessary precautions.

The requirement for ETBİS registration provides businesses with legal compliance and reliability. This system makes e-commerce processes transparent and auditable. ETBİS has also become an indispensable element of electronic commerce in the protection of consumer rights.

• The "Law on Regulation of Electronic Commerce" regulates all legal obligations related to e-commerce, including the obligation to register with ETBİS.
• According to the "Law on Internet Broadcasting", companies registered with ETBİS are considered as businesses that broadcast within the scope of this law and must fulfill the relevant responsibilities.
• According to the "Law on Electronic Messages", companies registered with ETBİS cannot send commercial electronic messages without consumer consent and are obliged to protect data privacy.
• Businesses registered with ETBİS must fulfill all requirements under the "Customs Law".
• Within the framework of the "Consumer Protection Law", companies registered with ETBİS must assume the necessary responsibilities regarding customer information, return processes and customer satisfaction.
• Companies registered with ETBİS are obliged to collect, process, store and ensure the security of customer data in accordance with the Law on the Protection of Personal Data

ETBIS and GDPR: Relationship with Personal Data Protection Laws

The Electronic Commerce Information System (ETBIS) ensures the security of companies and consumers selling online, making the shopping system traceable.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) covers the details of the processing and protection of personal data according to the European Union. GDPR is a regulation that determines how data belonging to individuals within the European Union will be collected, processed and protected.

The similarity between ETBIS and GDPR emerges at this point. While ETBIS fulfills the legal obligations of Turkish businesses regarding the protection of personal data; it processes and protects personal data in accordance with the GDPR.

Businesses registered with ETBIS take the GDPR into consideration and determine appropriate security measures when collecting and processing users' personal data. In summary, ETBİS and GDPR ensure that businesses engaged in e-commerce fulfill their legal obligations regarding the protection of personal data.

Who Must Register with ETBİS?

All businesses that conduct their commercial activities electronically, companies that sell goods or services through electronic commerce platforms, e-commerce intermediary service providers, businesses that conduct commercial activities through digital platforms, and all companies that sell or provide services to consumers in Turkey, even if they operate abroad, must register with ETBİS.

In addition, businesses that make direct sales through their own e-commerce sites, companies that offer products or services in domestic marketplaces, and all commercial businesses that want to sell in foreign marketplaces are also legally required to register with ETBİS. This includes businesses that conduct commercial activities through social media platforms.

Why is it necessary for electronic commerce sites to register with ETBİS?

ETBİS is a mandatory registration system for companies that want to engage in e-commerce to be able to sell legally. Many companies interested in e-commerce wonder why they need to register with this system. ETBİS is of critical importance for both consumers and companies. It protects consumer rights by preventing security breaches in e-commerce.

All businesses interested in e-commerce in Turkey must register with ETBİS in accordance with the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 and the Electronic Commerce Regulation Law No. 6563. Businesses can only legally engage in e-commerce after completing this registration process.

• Businesses that register with ETBİS create a more reliable shopping environment for consumers. Businesses that are registered on ETBİS are preferred more by consumers because they gain legal status, which makes the company more reliable.
• Companies that complete ETBİS registration are obliged to fulfill their legal responsibilities. In this context, issues such as informing consumers, product returns and resolving complaints are legally secured. ETBİS registration allows the business to follow up on legal responsibilities.
• Companies that register with ETBİS can gain a stronger competitive advantage compared to other businesses. Since consumers find businesses that operate legally and are registered with ETBİS more reliable; the company becomes more preferred.
• In short, in addition to being a legal obligation for businesses interested in e-commerce, registering with ETBİS increases the reliability of businesses, makes it easier to follow up on legal responsibilities and provides a competitive advantage. It makes positive contributions to the growth strategies of companies. Therefore, in addition to the legal obligation, companies gain various advantages if they register with ETBİS.

Functions and Advantages of ETBİS

• ETBİS enables businesses to register and report:

ETBİS enables businesses that engage in e-commerce to register to a system connected to a single center. Thus, companies can enter product or service information into the system, determine their prices through competitor analysis, and announce their campaigns -with the permission of consumers.

• ETBİS enables consumers to shop securely:

ETBİS provides various measures for consumers to shop securely over the internet. Businesses are subject to the condition of having various certificates in order to provide a reliable shopping experience to the consumer. Thus, problems that may occur in shopping made via e-commerce are prevented.

• ETBİS provides advertising and marketing opportunities:

ETBİS offers businesses different opportunities for advertising and marketing activities. It provides businesses with data on topics such as customer targeting and market analysis, and enables them to reach customers more effectively with different advertising methods.

• ETBİS offers the opportunity to fulfill legal regulations:

Businesses that engage in e-commerce in our country must operate in compliance with legal regulations. ETBİS offers businesses the opportunity to follow and fulfill legal regulations.

• ETBİS provides customer satisfaction and feedback:

ETBİS provides businesses with various opportunities to increase customer satisfaction. Businesses can communicate with customers, receive feedback, and quickly find solutions to their problems.

• ETBİS offers fast and easy transaction opportunities:

ETBİS helps businesses to carry out their e-commerce transactions quickly and practically. Companies can easily track their orders through the system.

• ETBİS provides data analysis and reporting:

ETBİS offers registered companies the opportunity to analyze and report sales, customer and other data. Thus, companies can develop their sales strategies and make more effective decisions. Companies that have the chance to conduct competitor analysis can progress with more effective work through the system.

• ETBİS is a reliable option for consumers:

ETBİS is an important system for the regulation and development of the e-commerce sector in our country. It has been made mandatory for businesses to use ETBİS in order to operate on a legal basis and for consumers to have a safe shopping experience.

• ETBİS enables the collection of e-commerce data:

Statistical information regarding commercial activities conducted over the internet is collected in ETBİS. In addition, this data is shared at regular intervals to determine new strategies.

How to Register to ETBİS?

ETBIS registration provides you with many advantages in addition to making your e-commerce brand official. It is important to learn the registration process step by step to benefit from these advantages.

To register for ETBİS, you must first visit the official web portal. You must fill out the registration form and upload the necessary documents to the system, then wait for the approval process to be completed.

How Long is the ETBİS Registration Period?

The Electronic Commerce Information System (ETBIS) registration application is completed within a few days. Filling out the required form completely during the application process is one of the factors that may affect the duration of the registration process.

Paying the fee determined for ETBİS registration on time is also effective for the process to proceed more quickly. If any deficiencies or errors are detected after the application, the registration period may be extended. It is important to fill out the application form carefully and accurately so that the registration process does not take long and is completed without any problems.

If there is no red exclamation mark in the boxes where you enter your information while registering with ETBİS and if you do not receive any warning when you click the Complete Registration button, your registration has been completed successfully.

How to Create a New Registration in ETBİS?

ETBİS registration stages are of great importance for companies that want to do electronic commerce. This process is a critical step for your business to be able to carry out e-commerce activities in accordance with legal requirements. The steps you need to follow carefully to successfully complete the ETBİS (Electronic Commerce Information System) registration process and benefit from the advantages offered by the platform are explained in detail below:

1. In order to register with ETBİS, you must first be a taxpayer. It is not possible to register with ETBİS without being a taxpayer. All real and legal persons with tax liability can register with the system.
2. To register with ETBİS, go to the website of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and proceed to the “Electronic Commerce Information System” page or log in to ETBİS.
3. Open the registration form by clicking on the “New Membership” option.
4. Fill in the requested information on the registration page completely and accurately. This information includes personal and business information such as trade name, tax identification number, brand number, contact information. Completely fill in the required fields.
5. After completing the registration form, proceed by selecting one of the insurance companies that provide interactive services so that your application can be approved.
6. After selecting the insurance company, the approval process is carried out and your registration to ETBİS is completed.
7. After the registration process is completed, you can continue your electronic commerce activities by logging into the system with your ETBİS username and password.
8. When you register to ETBİS, you can electronically proceed with information, approval processes, customer complaints, sales information, tax declarations, etc. of all businesses that engage in electronic commerce.

What information needs to be declared when registering to ETBİS?

• Notification-friendly KEP address,
• Type of e-commerce,
• Commercial activities other than e-commerce,
• Type of goods and services offered in e-commerce,
• Payment methods offered in e-commerce,
• Information on whether second-hand goods are offered for sale in e-commerce and information on the type of second-hand goods offered for sale,
• Information on services received from banks operating within the scope of the Banking Law No. 5411 dated 10/19/2005 and payment and electronic money institutions operating within the scope of the Law No. 6493 dated 6/20/2013 on Payment and Securities Settlement Systems, Payment Services and Electronic Money Institutions.

Are ETBİS Registered Sites Reliable?

Sites registered with ETBİS, which is the official registration system for businesses offering electronic commerce services in our country, undertake to fulfill all the requirements of electronic commerce laws and fully comply with legal regulations. Thanks to this comprehensive legal framework and audit mechanism, sites registered with ETBİS are generally considered reliable platforms.

A site that successfully completes ETBİS registration and meticulously considers legal regulations implements comprehensive security measures and shows special sensitivity regarding the protection of user data. These sites undergo regular security audits and constantly keep data security standards up to date.

Users can verify the reliability of an ETBİS-registered site using various methods. This verification process includes checking the validity of the site's SSL security certificates, reviewing detailed comments and evaluations from other users, verifying the accuracy of the business's official contact information, and conducting extensive research on the company's past commercial activities.

• Audit and Notification

Sites registered with ETBİS are subject to comprehensive audits at regular intervals. These audits are carried out to check in detail whether the sites comply with e-commerce legislation, protect customer rights and fulfill legal obligations completely. During the audit process, critical points such as data security, payment systems, customer services and transparency of commercial activities are examined. In addition, official notifications are sent to the sites in line with the updates and changes in the e-commerce ecosystem and detailed information is provided about legal changes, new regulations or additional obligations.

• ETBİS Inquiry System

ETBİS offers consumers and other interested parties a comprehensive e-commerce site inquiry platform. Through this advanced system, users can easily access the legal status, registration status, fields of activity and basic corporate information of any e-commerce site. The system also provides consumers with the opportunity to conduct the preliminary research they need to carry out their online shopping experiences safely and to make informed decisions. In this way, consumers can evaluate the reliability and legal compliance of the platform they will shop on in advance.

• Security and Data Protection

Although being registered with ETBİS indicates that an e-commerce site fulfills basic legal obligations, this does not guarantee that payment transactions or personal data transfers on the site are completely secure. In order for consumers to have a secure shopping experience on e-commerce platforms, it is of great importance that they check the validity of the site's SSL certificate before shopping, examine the compliance of payment methods with security standards, and review the platform's personal data protection policies in detail. This comprehensive security check is of critical importance both in terms of ensuring the security of financial transactions and guaranteeing the protection of personal data.

• Consumer Complaints

Consumers have the right to make detailed complaints about e-commerce sites registered with ETBİS. These complaints are systematically evaluated and used as an important evaluation criterion in measuring the service quality, customer satisfaction and reliability of e-commerce sites. The complaint mechanism is designed to protect the rights of consumers and increase the transparency of the e-commerce ecosystem.

Completing the ETBİS registration by companies engaged in e-commerce creates a solid bridge of trust between the consumer and the company. This trust relationship provides a comprehensive framework for the protection and recognition of the legal rights of both consumers and businesses, while ensuring that commercial activities are monitored transparently. ETBİS registration is a concrete indicator that businesses fulfill their legal obligations and adopt a commercial approach that respects consumer rights.

Thanks to the ETBİS platform, the data flow in the e-commerce sector can be analyzed in detail, the strategic growth performance of businesses can be measured and sectoral trends can be determined. The platform systematically collects e-commerce data and supports the development of the sector with concrete data. The mandatory nature of ETBİS facilitates statistical analysis of the e-commerce ecosystem and contributes to the formation of sectoral policies.

ETBİS has an advanced systematic structure that protects consumer rights at the highest level and enables companies to analyze market dynamics and competition conditions transparently. The platform serves as a reliable and pioneering digital infrastructure that supports the healthy development of the e-commerce ecosystem in Turkey.

To summarize;

•   ETBİS is a digital platform that gathers e-commerce companies in a single central system under the supervision of the Ministry of Customs and Trade.
•   The system protects the rights of both businesses and consumers by ensuring legal control of e-commerce activities.
•   Registration to ETBİS is a legal obligation for all electronic commerce businesses and provides businesses with reliability and competitive advantage.

  Advantages of Establishing a Company with Ifasturk

Another issue as important as ETBİS registration for entrepreneurs who want to step into the world of e-commerce is the company establishment process. At this point, Ifasturk offers professional solutions that speed up and facilitate your company establishment process.

During your company establishment process with Ifasturk:

• ✅ Fast and Reliable Company Establishment: With Ifasturk, you can establish your company in just a few days and manage all official transactions on a single platform.
• ✅ ETBİS Integration: Ifasturk also facilitates your ETBİS registration after company establishment and guides you in completing all necessary legal procedures.
• ✅ Professional Support: Our experienced team supports you in all processes from company establishment to ETBİS registration and ensures that you complete your transactions smoothly.

If you want to make a professional start in the e-commerce world, you can benefit from the advantages offered by Ifasturk and establish your company safely. For detailed information, contact Ifasturk's expert team now! visit.

  Ifasturk is also with you for your tax and accounting processes after the establishment of the company!

Mesut SENEL | Ifasturk CEO

Certified Public Accountant