Navigating the New Frontier: Oğuzkan Güzel's Impact on Turkish Competition Law

Oğuzkan Güzel has joined the firm at a critical juncture in Turkey’s competition law landscape, characterized by significant developments that are reshaping the enforcement environment and posing practical challenges to stakeholders within this dynamic regulatory framework.

The Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) has adopted an assertive approach in 2024 and 2025, culminating in a notable increase in investigations, financial penalties, and an expanded focus on emergent competition issues.

In December 2024, Turkey reached a legislative milestone with the introduction of the new Regulation on Administrative Fines for Restrictive Agreements, Concerted Practices, Decisions, and Abuse of Dominance. This regulation marks a departure from the previous model of fixed base fines, favoring instead a more adaptable, case-specific methodology for sanction determination. This regulatory evolution is complemented by the TCA’s issuance of guidelines in early 2025, which offer practitioners practical instruments for evaluating violations and corresponding sanctions. The guidelines underscore the TCA’s strategic adoption of settlement processes and commitment agreements that aim to facilitate the efficient resolution of competition-related infractions.

The TCA has undertaken assertive enforcement measures across various sectors, reflecting an expansive interpretation of competition laws. A pivotal case in this era was the approval of Uber’s acquisition of TrendyolGO, which epitomizes the careful balance the TCA seeks between merger control principles and the broader objectives of fostering innovation and promoting market entry in the digital economy. This decision represents a sophisticated evaluation of competitive implications amid the rapid evolution of Turkey’s delivery and logistics industries.

Moreover, labor market competition has emerged as a focal point in the TCA’s enforcement agenda, aligning with a global trend whereby competition authorities increasingly scrutinize labor practices. In mid-2025, the TCA issued a comprehensive reasoned decision that addressed anti-competitive behaviors among nearly fifty undertakings within the labor market. This landmark ruling signifies the authority’s initiative to extend its oversight beyond conventional products and services to encompass employment conditions and corporate practices affecting the workforce.

Issues such as resale price maintenance and anti-competitive agreements have also dominated the TCA’s enforcement landscape, impacting a diverse array of industries, including concrete manufacturing, automotive, and agricultural machinery. The initiation of administrative fines and commitment measures in these sectors highlights the TCA’s vigorous stance toward safeguarding effective competition and deterring practices that could lead to market partitioning or collusion in bidding processes.

The contemporary developments in Turkish competition law encapsulate a broader trend—namely, the establishment of more robust regulatory frameworks, an increased focus on the intricacies of digital markets, and the deployment of effective enforcement mechanisms designed to confront both long-standing and emerging anti-competitive conduct. In this context, the expertise of Oğuzkan Güzel is poised to be of paramount importance, as he provides advisory services to clients navigating the increasingly intricate and active regulatory landscape. His insights will be invaluable in advising on merger controls, adaptability to evolving fine regulations, and robust defense strategies in high-stakes investigations.

The current enforcement landscape necessitates a comprehensive understanding of not only the statutory provisions governing competition law but also the TCA’s practical enforcement strategies and the evolving challenges posed by labor market dynamics and oversight of digital platforms. Oğuzkan Güzel’s extensive knowledge in this domain will enhance the firm’s capability to deliver innovative and informed guidance that is congruent with Turkey’s latest competition law developments and enforcement priorities.

In leveraging his legal acumen, Oğuzkan Güzel is well-positioned to assist clients in mitigating risks while navigating the complexities of Turkish competition law. His proactive approach ensures that firms can remain compliant with the TCA’s pressing demands while capitalizing on opportunities within this vigorous enforcement climate. As the TCA continues to evolve its approach to competition law, the legal community will benefit from the strategic counsel of professionals like Oğuzkan Güzel, who are adept at interpreting these changes and implementing effective compliance measures in an increasingly regulatory-focused environment.