Israeli import reforms to bring greater variety to store shelves in 2023

• Author: ZACHY HENNESSEY
• Published date: 23 January 2023
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

By reducing the amount of red tape and paperwork that foreign manufacturers and importers face, the government hopes to increase market competition within Israel, thereby reducing the steep cost of living

The import of hundreds of products ranging from TVs to tampons to vacuums to bicycle seats will be affected by the reform, relaxing the bureaucratic process faced by manufacturers hoping to bring their goods into the country.

The new import standards will affect food, produce, cosmetics and appliances, bringing a vast amount of increased variety to store shelves as manufacturers begin taking advantage of them.

"Products that comply with the regulations in major advanced countries should be good for Israel as well."

Inon Elroy

"Products that comply with the regulations in major advanced countries should be good for Israel as well," said Inon Elroy, director and head of the industrial cooperation authority, during a panel. "The main rationale behind this reform has been to increase post-market surveillance and to shift the responsibility for the safety of products onto importers and retailers."

"According to our estimations, the reform stands to save about 10%...