In the recent few years, natural soaps, natural shampoos and other natural products have started to draw attention and interest in the sector. Particularly, natural soaps are produced by numerous small-size firms all over Turkey and their products are demanded in foreign markets. The demand for the famous laurel and olive oil soaps is increasing day by day, and an export-oriented sector has emerged. The Turkish soap producers have created their own brands in the domestic market and have been successful also in the foreign markets with their brands.

Some of the multinationals operating in the cosmetic and personal care products sector are directly engaged in production and marketing activities in Turkey. And some other foreign firms playing in the sector are producing and marketing their products via license agreements and joint ventures or toll and contract manufacturers.

Product Standards
The Turkish cosmetic and personal care products industry owns the capacity and technical skills required for production in global standards in terms of quality. A great many of firms have obtained ISO 9000 Quality System Certificates and ISO 14001 Certificate. The Turkish cosmetic and personal care products manufacturers are closely following up the recent international and national developments on environment as well.

By the Cosmetics Law no. 5324 published in the Official Gazette on March 30th, 2005, and the Cosmetics Regulation enacted and issued on May 23rd, 2005, by virtue of the said Law, our national legislation has been harmonized with the EU Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC), and such adaptations have been started to be enforced as of the effective dates of the said Law and Regulation.