Registering to designate a food safety testing facility

Registering to designate a food safety testing facility is a mandatory legal process for units that want to carry out food safety testing and verification activities. This process includes preparing a competency profile, submitting an application and undergoing appraisal by the competent authority. The article below will provide detailed information about the steps and specific requirements in this process.

What is food safety testing and verification?

Food safety testing and verification is the activity of re-checking previous testing results when there are unusual signs, complaints or disputes. The purpose is to confirm the accuracy of food safety testing results for products under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The verification testing process includes the following steps: sampling, laboratory analysis and result evaluation. Testing facilities must comply with national standards and technical regulations on testing methods. Verification testing is only performed by designated facilities.

Verification testing results have high legal value, are used to resolve disputes and serve as a basis for state management decisions on food safety. Therefore, registration to designate a food safety testing facility is a mandatory requirement according to current legal regulations.

Procedures for registering to designate a food safety testing facility

Components of the designated registration dossier

The registration dossier to designate a food safety testing facility includes the following documents:

1. Application for designation according to the form specified in Appendix 1 of Circular 40/2013/TT-BCT.

>>> Download sample: Application to designate a verification testing facility

1. Establishment decision or Business registration certificate (certified copy).
2. Technical documents and procedures related to designated registration criteria/tests.
3. Competency profile includes:

• List of equipment and infrastructure
• List of testers with professional certificates
• Documentation on testing quality assurance
• Report on test results of tester skills
• Report on testing facility capacity
• Sample test result form
• Results of testing activities in the last 12 months

Documents in the application must be prepared fully and accurately according to the prescribed form and certified by the registration facility. Completing the documents properly will help the appraisal process go smoothly.

Procedures for registering to designate a food safety testing facility

The registration process to designate a food safety testing facility includes the following main steps:

1. Step 1: The testing facility submits an application for designation of a food safety testing facility to the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Trade.
2. Step 2: Within 10 working days, the Department of Science and Technology will evaluate the application. If the dossier does not meet the requirements, the appraisal agency will notify the unit to supplement and complete it.
3. Step 3: For qualified facilities, within 15 working days, the competent authority shall issue a decision to establish a team to assess the capacity of the on-site testing facility.
4. Step 4: The assessment team conducts an actual inspection at the facility and sends conclusions to the management agency within 5 working days after completing the assessment.
5. Step 5: Within 15 working days from receiving the assessment conclusion, the management agency reviews and makes a decision to designate if the facility meets the requirements. In case of failure, the management agency will notify the reason in writing.

The maximum processing time is 45 working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents. This process ensures a rigorous assessment of the facility’s capacity before official designation.

Effectiveness of the Decision to designate a testing facility to verify food safety

The validity period of the Decision to designate a food safety testing facility is specified as follows:

• According to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 7 of Circular 40/2013/TT-BCT, the validity period of the Designation Decision is 3 years from the date of signing.
• During the validity period, the testing facility must maintain the conditions of facilities, equipment, personnel and quality management system according to regulations.
• Before the expiration of 3 months, the testing facility needs to carry out procedures to register for re-designation if there is a need to continue operating.
• Re-designation registration follows the same process as initial registration. However, establishments only need to submit documents that have changes compared to the previous registration dossier.
• While waiting for re-designation, the facility is still allowed to continue validation testing activities until a new decision is made.
• The management agency can revoke the Designation Decision ahead of time if it discovers that the facility violates regulations on testing activities.

The provision of a 3-year validity period is intended to ensure that testing facilities are periodically assessed for their capacity, while also creating an opportunity to update new requirements in the field of food safety.

Consulting services for designating testing facilities to verify food safety

Consulting services help testing facilities improve their capacity, fully meet requirements and increase the likelihood of being officially designated. Using professional consulting services will help save time, costs and ensure the best results during the designation registration process.

At Long Phan, we provide consulting services to designate testing facilities to verify food safety. Service scope includes:

• Consulting on conditions and standards that need to be met to be designated as a testing facility;
• Instructions for preparing registration documents to designate testing facilities to verify food safety fully and accurately according to regulations;
• Support perfecting the laboratory quality management system according to standards;
• Consulting on upgrading facilities and equipment to meet technical requirements;
• Training and coaching personnel on testing and quality management skills;
• Support the development of technical processes and standard analysis procedures;
• Consulting on participation in proficiency testing programs and interlaboratory comparisons;
• Support in preparing and welcoming the management agency’s assessment team;
• Consulting on correcting non-conformities after assessment (if any).

Registering to designate a food safety testing facility is a complex process that requires careful preparation. For detailed consulting support on the registration process, preparing documents and improving testing capacity, please contact Long Phan via hotline 0906735386. We are ready to provide professional consulting services. business, helping you complete the designation registration procedure quickly and effectively.