Israel: Import and Export Decree (New Vision)

The Minister of Economy and Industry had signed Israel's Import and Export Decree (Import Groups). This Decree updates Israel's Import Groups Regime and eases the conformity assessment requirements for imported products subject to Israel Mandatory Standards.

There are currently about 500 Mandatory Standards in Israel (excluding food) subject to this regulatory import regime. These standards are divided into four import groups according to the products' potential risk:

· Group 1 - Highest risk level: Requires type approval; Partial tests for each shipment (currently about 240 standards);

· Group 2 - Intermediate risk level: Requires type approval; Importer's declaration of conformity for each shipment (currently about 170 standards);

· Group 3 - Low level of danger: Requires only an importer's declaration of conformity for each shipment;

· Group 4 - Goods intended solely for industrial use: Does not require any examination before releasing from customs.

As part of the reform, only 150 standards will remain in Group 1, and the rest will be moved and classified under Groups 2 and 3; Thus, the import regime will be eased, followed by increased market surveillance.

The reform will enter into force in three steps:

· First step - 1 May 2021: The standards detailed as "First step" included in Annex 5 (pages 43-49) will be moved on 1 May 2021 to the new Import Group as detailed in the 4th column and according to conditions, where applicable;

· Second step - 2 March 2022: The standards detailed as "Second step" included in Annex 5 (pages 50-57) will be moved on 2 March 2022 to the new Import Group as detailed in the 4th column and according to conditions, where applicable;

· Third step - 2 March 2023: The standards detailed as "Third step" included in Annex 5 (pages 58-68) will be moved on 2 March 2023 to the new Import Group as detailed in the 4th column and according to conditions, where applicable.

The Commissioner of Standardization has the authority to postpone the entry into force of each step unless arrangements for the increased market surveillance are fulfilled.