How long is a food safety certificate valid?

Article overview

Food safety certificate not only proves that the establishment complies with food hygiene and safety regulations, but also helps protect public health. This article will help customers understand the validity period of certificates to help establishments maintain legal operations, avoid risks and build trust with consumers.

Expiration date of food safety certificate
Expiration date of food safety certificate

When do I need to apply for a Food Safety Certificate?

This certificate confirms that the business’s establishment has fully met the food safety conditions required by law, including standards on facilities, equipment, production, processing, preservation and human resources. The issuance of this certificate is to ensure that the food business establishment operates legally and protects the health of consumers.

According to the provisions of Article 11 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP:

  • Food production and business establishments must have a Certificate of establishment meeting food safety conditions when operating, except for cases that are not subject to a Certificate of establishment meeting food safety conditions, Clause 1 Article 12 of this Decree;
  • Conditions for granting a Certificate of eligibility for food safety are implemented according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 34 of the Law on Food Safety. For health food production facilities, it is necessary to comply with the requirements specified in Article 28 of this Decree.
Time to apply for a certificate
Time to apply for a certificate

Procedures for applying for a food safety certificate

Competent authority to issue certificates

According to the provisions of Article 35 of the Law on Food Safety 2010 on the authority to issue certificates as follows:

  • The Ministry of Health will manage food processing and trading establishments related to human health;
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for agricultural and fishery food production establishments;
  • The Ministry of Industry and Trade manages establishments that produce, process and consume processed foods;
  • Each ministry will issue specific regulations and instructions on procedures for granting and revoking Certificates for establishments in their field of management.

Profile components

Dossier to apply for a food safety certificate includes:

  • Application for issuance of Certificate of establishment meeting food safety conditions;
  • Copy of Business Registration Certificate;
  • Explanation of facilities, equipment and tools to ensure food hygiene and safety conditions, according to regulations of competent state agencies;
  • Certificate of good health of the facility owner and person directly producing and trading food, issued by a district-level medical facility or higher;
  • Certificate of participation in training on food safety and hygiene for facility owners and people directly producing and trading food, according to regulations of the Minister of Industry Management.

CSPL: Clause 1, Article 36 of the Law on Food Safety 2010.

Execution order

Step 1: Submit application for certification

  • Submit directly;
  • Submit online;
  • Submitted through postal and telecommunications services.

Step 2: Document appraisal:

  • Within 15 days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the competent authority will conduct a survey and actual inspection of the enterprise’s production and business facilities;
  • If eligible, a Certificate of establishment meeting food safety conditions must be issued;
  • In case of refusal, a written response must be made clearly stating the reason.

CSPL: Clause 2, Article 36 of the Law on Food Safety 2010.

Expiration date of food safety certificate

According to Clause 1, Article 37 of the Law on Food Safety 2010, it is stipulated:

  • The certificate of facility meeting food safety conditions is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
  • 6 months before the certificate expires, the business needs to apply for a new license.
  • Otherwise, when inspected by the authorities without a valid license, the business will be fined according to the provisions of the law.
Regulations on shelf life
Regulations on shelf life

Consulting and support services for applying for food safety certificates at Long Phan

At Long Phan, we provide consulting services to support food safety certificate application activities for your business.

Services provided by Long Phan include:

  • Support and guidance in preparing all necessary papers and documents to apply for a food safety certificate;
  • Consulting on reviewing and inspecting facilities, equipment and processes to meet food safety requirements;
  • Consulting businesses to clearly understand the steps and procedures that need to be followed to apply for or extend a certificate;
  • Support customers to carry out timely renewal procedures, avoid interruption of operations if customers need;
  • Representing customers in working and coordinating with competent authorities to ensure the best efficiency.

Applying for a food safety certificate is an important process that helps your establishment operate legally and ensure food quality and protect public health. If you need support, please contact Long Phan immediately via the hotline: 0906735386 for consulting support and implementing procedures for applying for a food safety certificate quickly and effectively.