Reform intended to lower price of electronics in Israel goes into effect

A new electronic goods consumer reform went into effect on Monday in a move meant to ease import and lower prices of household electrical appliances like computers, microwaves, printers and more.

The first stage of the reform, which started on Monday, sees the Energy Ministry eliminate the need for local certification and approval for the import of appliances from Europe that meet European quality standards and regulations, hopefully reducing bureaucracy and streamlining the import process.

“The reform that is going into effect opens the electronics market to competition, lowers prices, expands variety, and eliminates needless bureaucracy,” said Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Monday, adding that the ministry would continue to “open the markets and encourage competition for the good of all Israel’s citizens.”

The next stage of the reform, which is expected to begin in November, will see the ministry allow all electrical appliances marketed in Europe to enter Israel without restrictions.

According to the Energy Ministry, the reform will allow more environmentally friendly and more productive appliances to be sold in Israel.

The electronics reform is part of a larger reform dubbed “What’s good for Europe is good for Israel” which aims to lower the cost of living in Israel by cutting the extensive bureaucracy surrounding imports.

Other products the reform will affect include baby products, cleaning products, and flatware.

Data released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) last year showed that Israel had the highest cost of living among all OECD countries in 2022, the last year for which full data is available.

Following the publication of the data, the government launched a ministerial committee to tackle the cost of living, which came up with the “What’s good for Europe is good for Israel” reform.

Sharon Wrobel contributed to this report.