Middle East · Israel
What does it take to sell cosmetics in Israel? Entry route, responsibility, labeling
Since 2025-01-01 the old Cosmetic Product Licence (discontinued 2024-12-31) is replaced b…; Responsible person: An Israel-resident Responsible Person/representative regist…; Labeling: Hebrew labeling mandatory (English/Arabic optiona….
Latest change 2025-12-30 — MoH legislative memorandum proposes a parallel 'U.S. track' for FDA-compliant cosmetics, retailer verification duties against the MoH cosmetics database, and adding solid soap to the cosmetic definition (proposal, not yet law). Source
Factory-side digest; the official text prevails; not legal advice.
- Authority
- Ministry of Health – Pharmaceutical Division (Cosmetics Department)
- Main regulation
- Pharmacists Ordinance (Amendment No. 37), 2024; Pharmacists' Regulations (Cosmetics) 5783-2022 (WTO G/TBT/N/ISR/1279) · Pharmacists Ordinance [New Version] 1981 as amended by Amendment No. 37 (2024) ('What is good for Europe is good for Israel' cosmetics reform), with the Pharmacists' Regulations (Cosmetics)
- In force
- 2025-01-01
- Market entry
- Since 2025-01-01 the old Cosmetic Product Licence (discontinued 2024-12-31) is replaced by online notification to the MoH (Notification Track) by a registered dealer/responsible representative; EU-, UK- or Swiss-compliant products qualify, while 'sensitive' cosmetics (children under 12, sunscreens, nano, hair straighteners, etc.) stay under stricter approval.
- Responsible person
- An Israel-resident Responsible Person/representative registered in the MoH database must be appointed and is legally liable for the PIF and product safety.
- Safety file
- EU-style Product Information File with Cosmetic Product Safety Report by a qualified assessor, GMP (ISO 22716) and test data, kept 10 years.
- Labeling
- Hebrew labeling mandatory (English/Arabic optional) with INCI, batch, expiry/PAO, responsible person details and warnings, traceable to the MoH notification/database entry.
- Animal testing
- Banned: testing cosmetics on animals in Israel since 2007 and import/marketing of animal-tested cosmetics since 2013-01-01.
- Ingredient lists
- Annexes aligned to EU Regulation 1223/2009 (prohibited, restricted, colorants, preservatives, UV filters).
- Notes
- gov.il pages could not be fetched; the 2026 transition deadline for legacy licences and the Hebrew/English/Arabic label statement come from consultancy pages.
- Official text
- https://www.gov.il/en/service/cosmetics-marketing
Changes 2025–2026
- Israel proposes a 'U.S. track' and retailer duties for cosmetics
A Ministry of Health legislative memorandum would allow import of FDA-compliant cosmetics alongside the EU track, impose verification duties on retailers via the MoH cosmetics database, bring solid soap into scope and create a standing advisory committee; it remains a proposal. Source
- Israel's 'What is good for Europe' cosmetics reform takes effect
Amendment No. 37 (2024) to the Pharmacists Ordinance replaced the cosmetic product licence (discontinued 2024-12-31) with notification of EU/UK/Swiss-compliant cosmetics by a registered Israeli responsible representative, while sensitive categories remain under approval. Source
FAQ
Does Israel require notification or registration before sale?
Since 2025-01-01 the old Cosmetic Product Licence (discontinued 2024-12-31) is replaced by online notification to the MoH (Notification Track) by a registered dealer/responsible representative; EU-, UK- or Swiss-compliant products qualify, while 'sensitive' cosmetics (children under 12, sunscreens, nano, hair straighteners, etc.) stay under stricter approval.
Is a local responsible person mandatory in Israel?
An Israel-resident Responsible Person/representative registered in the MoH database must be appointed and is legally liable for the PIF and product safety.
What are the labeling requirements in Israel?
Hebrew labeling mandatory (English/Arabic optional) with INCI, batch, expiry/PAO, responsible person details and warnings, traceable to the MoH notification/database entry.
What changed recently in Israel cosmetic regulation?
2025-12-30 MoH legislative memorandum proposes a parallel 'U.S. track' for FDA-compliant cosmetics, retailer verification duties against the MoH cosmetics database, and adding solid soap to the cosmetic definition (proposal, not yet law).
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