In recent years, Israel’s standardization and import system has undergone a series of comprehensive reforms aimed at reducing the cost of living and increasing competitiveness in the Israeli economy. Three major reforms form the backbone of this transformation. The first, the 2022 Reform, shifted most products to a declaration-based procedure and opened the possibility for international standards (the Cassis procedure). The second, the “No Stopping at the Port” Reform of July 2024, eliminated the need for prior approval from testing laboratories before the release of goods. The third, the “What’s Good for Europe is Good for Israel” Reform of January 2025, established a framework based on European regulation.
The latest reform, which entered into force in January 2025 (Amendment 19 to the Standards Law, 1953), constitutes the most significant change. It allows products to be imported into Israel without complying with the Israeli standard, but rather based on their conformity to European regulation.
“What’s Good for Europe is Good for Israel”
It is important to clarify that the new Israeli regulatory approach (Code 65) is not based on European standards, but rather on compliance with European regulation. This means that products are not required to comply with a specific standard, but rather with the European regulations and directives that Israel has chosen to adopt. These regulations include a variety of requirements regarding safety, performance, labeling, and more.
As of the date of this writing, Israel has adopted 69 different European regulations, with more expected to be adopted in the future. The regulations enter into force in phases—some are already in effect as of early 2025, while others will take effect during 2025, 2026, and 2027, depending on the product category.
To determine which European regulation applies to an imported product, the Commissioner of Standards has developed a dedicated search engine on the Ministry of Economy’s website. Entering the relevant Israeli standard number into the search engine will display the corresponding European regulations, their effective dates, and the product group.
Documentation Requirements
As with other regulatory frameworks, products subject to European regulation are divided into groups according to their risk level. Group 1 includes high-risk products (such as products for infants, liquefied petroleum gas equipment, lifting devices, rebar, etc.). Group 2 includes medium-risk products, including external power supplies above a certain output. Group 3 includes most products, such as computers, televisions, and most household electrical appliances.
The requirements vary according to the product group. For Group 3, only an importer’s declaration is required, in which the importer declares that they are not aware of any defect that could affect the integrity or quality of the product, are not aware of any non-conformity with the adopted European regulation, and undertake to monitor information published in the European rapid alert system (RAPEX) and official manufacturer notices.
For Groups 1 and 2, the importer’s declaration as detailed above is required, as well as one of the following documents: a declaration that the product is lawfully marketed in EU member states at the time of import, a manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity (DoC) as required by the relevant European regulation, or a manufacturer’s declaration regarding the product’s conformity with the applicable European regulation.
Advantages of Compliance with European Regulation
Compliance with European regulation offers several significant advantages.
First, it eases documentation requirements—instead of testing products in Israeli or foreign laboratories, the importer can rely on manufacturer declarations or on the fact that the product is lawfully marketed in Europe.
Second, it provides flexibility regarding models—it is easier to import a wide range of models, since there is no need for laboratory testing for each model individually. A manufacturer’s DoC can cover entire product families.
Third, it offers improved protection against non-conformity claims—in previous regulatory frameworks, if a product was found non-compliant in an Israeli laboratory test, it was difficult to refute this. Under European regulation, even if an Israeli laboratory claims non-conformity, the importer can refute this by presenting the DoC and the technical file approved by a recognized conformity assessment body.
Product File
Under all regulatory frameworks, including European regulation, the importer is required to maintain a “product file” for each imported product. This file should include product identification details (description, photos, labels), basic import documents (import declaration, invoice, packing specification), documentation of sales and distribution channels, and the declarations and supporting documents relevant to the applicable regulatory framework.
When complying with European regulation, there is no need for an Israeli or international test certificate in the product file, but rather the declarations detailed above.
Enforcement Mechanisms and Sanctions
Despite the significant easing of requirements, the enforcement system remains determined and effective. The Commissioner of Standards has recruited 46 supervisory and enforcement positions, with a budget of approximately NIS 30 million, to conduct random inspections and market supervision.
Sanctions for violations include, first, a declaration as a “breacher of trust”—an importer found to have violated standards requirements may be declared a “breacher of trust” for up to one year. This means losing the ability to release products through declaration-based procedures, a requirement for full testing of each shipment, and, in some cases, a requirement to provide a bank guarantee for each shipment.
Second, sanctions include significant monetary penalties. For corporations: NIS 28,000 per unit in the shipment or ten percent of the value of the goods, whichever is lower. For example, for a shipment of 100 units, the penalty could reach NIS 2.8 million.
Third, there is criminal exposure in serious cases (harm to children, significant danger, repeat or blatant violations), including a fine of up to half a million shekels and/or up to 18 months’ imprisonment, and personal liability for officers in the corporation.
Fourth, there is the possibility of a product hazard notice, with authority to order a recall, publication in the press, and removal of hazardous products from the market.
Additional Israeli Requirements
Despite the adoption of European regulation, several additional Israeli requirements continue to apply. First, there is still a requirement for Hebrew labeling under Israeli law (such as the Consumer Protection Law). Second, adaptation to the Israeli electricity grid is required for electrical products. Third, the Public Health Ordinance requirements continue to apply to products that come into contact with drinking water. Fourth, there are specific requirements for laundry powders, dishwashing liquids, and liquefied petroleum gas containers.
It should be noted that Israeli manufacturers can also use the European regulation as an alternative to compliance with the Israeli standard.
Summary
The “What’s Good for Europe is Good for Israel” reform represents a significant paradigm shift in the world of standards and importation to Israel. It marks a move away from a protectionist approach, which required compliance with unique Israeli standards, toward a global approach adopting international regulatory requirements. The adoption of European regulation creates a range of options for importers to tailor their operations to the nature of their products and the structure of their supply chains.
From the importer’s perspective, the reform offers an opportunity to reduce costs and risks, while expanding the range of products available to the Israeli consumer. The easing of bureaucratic requirements, particularly the elimination of the need for costly and lengthy test certificates for each model, may significantly reduce import costs and shorten time to market. This is especially relevant for importers of diverse products, numerous models, or products with a short life cycle.
It is important to emphasize that the adoption of European regulation does not absolve the importer of responsibility to ensure the integrity and safety of imported products. On the contrary, the Commissioner of Standards expects importers to implement effective internal control systems, ensure receipt of reliable documents from manufacturers, and conduct random product testing according to their risk level. The importer continues to bear full responsibility for the product, and sanctions for violations remain significant and have even been expanded.
Alongside the advantages, the reform presents new challenges. Importers are required to be familiar with and understand the European regulations relevant to their products, and to ensure that their suppliers indeed comply with these requirements. In many cases, this requires in-depth familiarity with European regulation and with the required approval and certification processes.
The most significant challenge arises in cases of products that cross different regulatory domains. For example, a water dispenser is subject to both the Standards Law (for electrical aspects) and the Public Health Ordinance (for contact with drinking water). While the “What’s Good for Europe” reform applies to standards, other regulators may still require compliance with unique Israeli standards. The amendment to the Standards Law does provide for the unification of requirements in these areas as well, but the process is expected to be gradual.
From the Israeli consumer’s perspective, the reform is expected to lower prices, expand the range of products in the market, and enable quicker access to innovative products. However, it is important that enforcement authorities continue to effectively supervise the market to prevent the entry of non-compliant or dangerous products. The balance between regulatory easing and public safety will be a key test of the reform’s long-term success.
The European standards reform is part of a broader move by the Israeli government to reduce the cost of living and increase competitiveness in the economy. Similar moves are taking place in the fields of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more. As Israel approaches the standards accepted in other developed countries, Israeli consumers are expected to benefit from improved access to international products at competitive prices.
To maximize the benefits of the European reform and minimize risks, importers must undertake comprehensive preparation. First, written procedures should be developed defining conduct in the field of standards and mapping all imported product categories, identifying the European regulations applicable to each category and their effective dates. Second, it is necessary to ensure that suppliers can provide the required documents, such as up-to-date manufacturer’s Declarations of Conformity (DoC), commitments to update changes in the product, and proof of lawful marketing in Europe.
Another essential component is establishing an efficient system for maintaining and managing product files, to enable their presentation upon request. It is also recommended to conduct random product testing according to their risk level and to prepare a structured response system for inspections by Ministry of Economy inspectors.
Large importers may consider conducting periodic internal audits of product files and accompanying documents, as well as holding training sessions for relevant employees on the new standards regime. It is also important to stay updated on regulatory changes, both in Israel and in Europe, to ensure ongoing compliance.
In cases of doubt or uncertainty, it is advisable to consult with professionals specializing in standards and importation. Investing in thorough preparation may prevent significant costs and regulatory issues in the future and provide a competitive advantage in the market.
The content in this update is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be comprehensive. It does not serve to replace professional legal advice required on a case by case basis.
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