A significant agreement was signed between Israel and the European Parliament by which the latter recognizes the approval of the Israeli Standards Institute on pharmaceuticals. This significant step, the ACAA approval permits the export of Israeli pharmaceuticals to the European marketplace without the need for inspections and approval of each drug.

In actuality, the agreement was signed about two years ago but the final stages of approval, which were dependent on the European Parliament, were delayed.

ACAA (From the organization’s website)

Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAAs) are a specific type of mutual recognition agreement based on the alignment of the legislative system and infrastructure of the country concerned with those of the European Community.

The conclusion of an ACAA is the end result of extensive dialogue and assistance in the fields of technical regulations and standards for industrial products.

The adoption of the EU system by other third countries will contribute to the elimination of technical barriers to trade, thereby increasing the accessibility of third countries’ markets to products from the EU and vice versa.

It will also consolidate our model as one appropriate for product regulation beyond the EU and contribute towards upgrading of the quality infrastructure and technical development in the partner countries.

At the same time, the level of health and safety protection existing in the EU is ensured and not compromised by the widened access to the single market for third countries’ products.

This agreement is currently prepared and negotiated with Neighbouring countries, notably Mediterranean ones (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Tunisia) and Ukraine in industrial sectors where the legislation is harmonised at EU level.

The sectors concerned are mainly machinery, electrical products, construction products, pressure equipment, toys, medical appliances, gas appliances and pharmaceuticals.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)