Economy Minister Orna Barabiei approved the import reform

Economy Minister Orna Barabiei approved following the import reform, which allows the import of products according to their compliance with an Israeli or international standard, to adopt international standards, on the basis of which it will be possible to import another variety of products that until now could only be imported in accordance with the original Israeli standard.

The standards tested, so far, concern tampon products, dishwashing liquid, washing powders and dishwasher powders, satchels and condoms. At the same time, rapid headquarters work is being done to include the imported diapers in the content of the reform. These are products that belong to centralized markets, where there is a limited number of importers that dominate the market. For example, in the tampon market there are three suppliers that make up more than 90% of the market.

Professionals in the Ministry of Economy examined regulations in developed countries with significant markets. This examination included a comprehensive examination that these are changes that will continue to protect the health and safety of the public and the quality of the environment, as well as the abilities of the person in charge of standardization to check the product's compliance with these requirements.

At the end of the inspection, the Minister of Economy and Industry approved to publish for a public hearing the possibility of importing the following products according to international standards in accordance with the specified conditions:

Tampons - compliance with the Australian standard, which has also been adopted in Europe and the USA;

Dishwashing liquid, washing powders and dishwasher powders - compliance with the European regulation, imposing an obligation to adapt the products to necessary national changes to preserve water sources and prevent soil pollution and in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Water Authority and the Ministry of Health.

Condoms - The minister signed the update of the Israeli standard in a way that adopts the international standard without national changes in a way that will greatly facilitate the import of these products.

Satchels - it was decided that there is a place to remove the formality of the standard. As part of this, the intention to remove the schoolbags from supervision was announced and a request was sent for consultations with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health.

Minister of Economy and Industry, Orna Barbibai: "As part of the fight against the cost of living and in view of the high concentration in the markets, the expansion of the import reform is a significant step to increase competition. Approval of the import of basic consumer products according to an international standard instead of a unique Israeli standard, will remove import barriers and allow for increased variety and lower prices."