“What’s Good for Europe Is Good for Israel”: Q&A Reviewing the Import Reform One Year In
This blog was originally posted on 6th January 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.
AUTHORED BY JUMANA IGHBARIA HAMAM, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST, AND MARTA K., REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST, COMPLIANCE & RISKS
What’s Good For Europe Is Good For Israel’ Reform
It has now been one year since historic changes began in Israel with the simplification of import procedures. The principle is straightforward: if a product meets European regulatory standards, it can more easily enter the Israeli market without the need for additional testing by the Standards Institution of Israel. Dubbed “What’s Good for Europe Is Good for Israel,” this reform has the potential to open the Israeli market to greater competition, remove bureaucratic barriers, and ultimately reduce prices for Israeli consumers. This step fills a key gap in establishing regulatory alignment between Israel and Western markets.
Led by the Ministry of Economy and Industry in collaboration with other government bodies, the new European Directives track serves as an additional standardization route. It allows for the import, manufacture, or marketing of products subject to official Israeli standards, provided they meet the requirements of their corresponding European regulations. Implementation of these directives began in stages on 1 January 2025 and is scheduled to continue through 1 January 2028.
The need for a deep understanding of this framework is further underscored by the introduction of a Proposed Amendment No. 21 to the Standards Law in November 2025. This significant legislative move proposes a secondary regulatory reform that effectively mirrors the “What’s Good for Europe” model. Aligned with European standards, this new initiative aims to further facilitate trade – specifically with the United States. It will allow businesses to rely on compliance with the U.S. Federal Regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions On The New Rules
But what does this mean in practice for importers? After one year of ‘What’s Good to Europe Is Good to Israel’ reform in effect, here are some of the most frequently asked questions, offering an overview and clarification of the new rules.
Does This New Track Replace The Old Ones?
No. The existing standardization tracks remain fully operational. The European Directives Track is simply an additional route – a new option for conformity assessment.
How Do I Import Through The European Directives Track?
This is a declaratory process. The importer submits an import declaration (Code 65) via a customs agent. Crucially, the importer must maintain a robust product file that complies with the Standardization Commissioner’s instructions regarding the product’s import group and its applicable official standard requirements.
Where Can I Find The Adopted European Directives?
The Ministry of Economy and Industry publishes the complete list on its website. The list includes each European Directive by its English title, along with additional details such as the Hebrew title, the effective date of adoption, any specific conditions, the official English document, and the Hebrew translation of the Directive.
Does An Importer Need To Meet The Requirements Of A Regulation That Hasn’t Officially Been Adopted In Israel Yet (It Appears In The Fifth Appendix But Isn’t Effective Yet)?
No. The product must comply only with regulations that have already been officially adopted and are currently in force in Israel.
What If The European Requirement Is Stricter Than The Official Israeli Standard?
If you choose this track, you are required to comply with all the provisions of the adopted European Directive. However, a critical point applies during the first five years: enforcement will focus only on compliance with the adopted Directive requirements to the extent that they correspond to parallel sections of the official Israeli standards.
What’s The Difference From The ‘Kasis Track’?
The Kasis Track applies to international standards, meaning cases in which the official Israeli standard is based on the adoption of a foreign standard (such as U.S., European, or Australian standards). Under this track, importers are required to present a foreign standard conformity certificate. The “What’s Good for Europe” track, by contrast, is specifically based on compliance with applicable European Directives.
Can I Import Non-EU Manufactured Products (E.g., From China)?
Yes. The country of manufacture is irrelevant. As long as the imported product complies with the applicable European Directive, it may be imported under this track.
What Documentation Is Needed For A ‘Family Of Models’?
The definitions are determined by the Standardization Commissioner. For related models classified as a family, only one product file is required. All model names must be listed in the declaration and in the supporting documentation.
Can The Supplier’s Name Be Listed Instead Of The Manufacturer’s?
Yes, provided that the supplier “steps into the shoes” of the manufacturer. This means the supplier must hold all required European regulatory documentation and assume full legal responsibility for the product, in accordance with common practice in the European Common Market.
Are The Registration/Reporting Duties Of REACH Mandatory?
No. The registration and reporting obligations under the European REACH Regulation are not required within the scope of this adoption. The adoption under the Standards Law applies specifically to the product and the work process.
The European CLP (Classification, Labeling And Packaging) Regulation For Hazardous Substances Requires A UFI (Unique Formula Identifier) Code On The Label. Is It Required In Israel?
No, not at this stage. The requirement to register and label products with a UFI code is not currently mandatory in Israel under the existing adoption of regulations pursuant to the Standards Law, as this adoption applies only to the product and the work process – not to this specific EU administrative requirement.
Is It Mandatory To Include A Reference (Contact Information) For The Israeli Poison Centre On The Label Of Every Hazardous Substance?
No. A reference to the Israeli Poison Centre is required only for hazardous substances that are already subject to this obligation under the relevant European regulation.
Does The Fact That The Adoption Of RoHS Will Only Take Effect In 18 Months Delay The Import Of Equipment To Which RoHS Applies?
No. The delayed entry into force of RoHS does not prevent the import of equipment subject to RoHS during this interim period. Equipment imported under the European Directives Track is required to comply with RoHS regardless of the delayed effective date, as part of the obligation to adhere to all applicable European Directives.
Do Specific European Marking Requirements (Like Font Size) Apply In Israel?
Yes. Marking must comply with the applicable European regulatory requirements. The primary local adaptation is that the importer must ensure the labeling is translated into Hebrew and complies with Hebrew language requirements.
Is There An Option To Submit A Product For Conformity Testing According To The European Directives Track To A Laboratory Within Israel?
As of today, no conformity assessment body in Israel has received recognition from the Standardization Commissioner for extended approval under a European Directive, in accordance with Section 12 of the Standards Law.
What’s Next?
These are among the most commonly asked questions regarding the new import route.
There is no doubt that introducing this framework is a significant undertaking. While it is designed to make it easier for importers to bring new products to the Israeli market, it may still, at times, create uncertainty as they adapt to the new rules and procedures. It is also important to remember that the reform does not eliminate oversight altogether; in some cases, modest adjustments may still be required to ensure that products are safe and suitable for Israeli consumers.
Ultimately, the “What’s Good for Europe Is Good for Israel” reform represents a meaningful shift toward a more open, competitive, and internationally aligned market. As implementation continues and experience with the new route grows, greater clarity and efficiency are expected to follow – which will benefit importers, regulators, and consumers alike.
For further insights into regulatory developments in the Middle East, check out our recent blog Middle East Regulatory Update: Product Safety, Sustainability, Labor and More.
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