Market Intelligence
Israel Standards

Israel Standards Reform

Israel is updating its import decree and downgrading the pre-shipment testing and documentation requirements for certain goods (non-food) subject to mandatory standards in Israel. These revisions intend to ease the import requirements and should make it easier for American manufacturers seeking to export to Israel.  

In the beginning of 2021, the Ministry of Economy and Industry signed a new “Israel Import and Export Decree (Import Groups) 5721-2021.” Under the decree, Israel will reclassify many of Israel’s mandatory standards and downgrade the import “group” classification associated with each standard. These reclassifications will reduce the requirements for imported goods (non-food) that are subject to Israel’s mandatory standards. The reclassification process began in May 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by March 2023.  

There are 500 mandatory standards in Israel (excluding food) that will be impacted by this regulatory regime. These 500 standards are divided into four import groups according to the potential risks posed by the products to consumers.  Group 1 standards cover products with the highest potential risk, and Group 4 standards cover products with the least perceived risk. As part of the reform, only 150 standards will remain in Group 1 and the rest will reclassified under Groups 2,3 and 4.  U.S. exporters should note that this reform does not apply to food or high prioritized products, such as products intended for babies and toddlers, gas-operated appliances etc.   

See descriptions of groups and the associated testing and documentation requirements:  

Explanation of the Import Group Classifications and Related Requirements 

  • Group 1 – Highest Risk Level  Import Documentation and Testing Requirements:  
  • Type approval certificate (i.e. pre-shipment laboratory testing of standards conformity) 
  • Technical File (see description below) 
  • Partial tests for each shipment  

Examples of products: Fire extinguishers, gas and high-pressure systems, toys for children under 3 years old, and infant care products.  

  • Group 2 – Intermediate Risk Level  Import Documentation and Testing Requirements:  
  • Type approval certificate ((i.e. pre-shipment laboratory testing of standards conformity) for first shipment 
  • Technical File (see description below) 
  • Importer’s declaration of conformity for each shipment*  

Examples of products:  Household electrical devices and toys for children over 3 years old.  

  • Group 3 – Low Level of Danger Import Documentation and Testing Requirements: 
  • Importer’s declaration of conformity for each shipment* 
  • Technical File (see description below)  

Examples of products: Building materials, pipes, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements in household electrical devices standards. 

  • Group 4 – Goods Intended Solely for Industrial Use Import Documentation and Testing Requirements: 
  • Does not require any examination before shipment is released from customs  

*Importer’s declaration of conformity for each shipment is a self-declaration that all goods in subsequent shipments are identical to the authorized type and conform to the relevant mandatory standards. 

Explanation of Technical File Requirements 

Submitting a technical file to the Standards Institute of Israel is required for goods in Groups 1, 2 and 3. The technical file includes the following information and documents:  

  • Type approval certificate issued by the testing laboratory  
  • Importer details and manufacturer details  
  • Photos of goods, packaging, and marking 
  • Complaints (if any) regarding the goods  

Additional information may be required, including:  

  • Import documentation  
  • Documentation of the distribution channels of the goods from the shipment 
  • Copy of the importer’s self-declaration in respect of the shipment supported by one of the following: 
  • Confirmation from the manufacturer 
  • Supplier that the goods in the shipment are the same as the certified model 

An American company interested in further information about this decree, or any technical standards requirement, may contact WTO-TBT Enquiry Point, a unit managed by Standardization Administration of the Israel’s Ministry of Economy. WTO-TBT Enquiry Point serves as a point of contact between Israel and the World Trade Organization (WTO) for sharing information about technical regulations as part of the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreement.

For any questions on standards requirements or this new decree, please contact Commercial Specialist, Christina Azar Deek at Christina.Azar@trade.gov.