Israel changing electric appliance standards to help lower prices

On Wednesday, Israel Katz, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, submitted a proposal to the Knesset’s Economy Committee. The proposal aims to adopt the European standard as the sole regulation for the import of electrical appliances into Israel, and to repeal the current Israeli regulation which imposes more rigorous standards. This move would expand the range of models that can be imported into the country.

The proposed action aims to achieve two primary goals: to promote competition and reduce prices in Israel’s electrical appliance market, which is valued at over 10 billion shekels (USD 2.72 billion) annually. By replacing the existing regulation with the European standard, the cost of importing electrical appliances will decrease, providing a boost to competition in the sector. Additionally, the reform will facilitate parallel imports of appliances, further reducing prices and benefiting consumers in the country.

In addition, electrical appliances with a higher level of energy efficiency will arrive in Israel, which will lead to a reduction in household electricity consumption, a reduction in the cost of living, and a reduction in pollution and emissions.

The reform also allows any importer of an electrical appliance to Israel. To do so without the mandatory physical inspection in a certified laboratory to check for conformity to the Israeli standard before importation.