Yönerge

Yönerge is a Turkish term meaning an instruction, directive, or guideline issued by a competent authority to govern procedures, practices, or interpretations within an institution or government body. It is intended to clarify how laws, regulations, or policies should be implemented in practice and to standardize administrative processes.

In usage, a yönerge carries official weight within the issuing organization but is not a statute. It does not create rights or obligations in the same way as a law (kanun), a formal regulation, or a general circular (genelge). Instead, it provides standardized methods, criteria, or steps for staff and units to follow, and it may be revised or repealed by subsequent yönerge.

Scope and examples vary. Ministries or public agencies commonly issue yönerges to codify internal procedures—such as procurement processes, reporting requirements, evaluation criteria, or record-keeping practices. They can also address specific operational aspects within a department, or translate policy goals into actionable steps. In the private sector, organizations may use yönerge-like directives to govern internal workflows or compliance practices, though such documents are generally internal and not legally binding on external parties.

Relation to related terms varies by context. Genelge refers to circulars addressing broader audiences, while talimat denotes explicit instructions for particular tasks. Yönerge sits between policy guidance and internal procedure, aiming to ensure consistent implementation within an organization.