Food business registration

Where this applies

This record is scoped to Ireland. Scope is part of the claim: a rule that binds one part of a country does not bind the whole of it, and this library states the scope its sources state.

Instrument

S.I. No. 22 of 2020 — European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020, reg. 5

Who it binds

Food businesses operating in Ireland

What it requires

Under reg. 5 of S.I. No. 22 of 2020, a food business must register with the relevant registering authority before starting operations. Depending on the type of business, the registering authority is the local Health Service Executive (HSE) environmental health office, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), or the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA); the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) coordinates enforcement across these bodies under service contracts. FSAI states registration is required "before you start operating, even if operating from home."

Related records and requirements

• Food business registration (United Kingdom) — A food business in England, Wales or Scotland — including home-based, mobile and online traders — must register with its local authority at least 28 days before opening; registration is free and cannot be refused.
• Food business registration (Türkiye) — A food business operator in Türkiye outside the scope requiring approval must hold a Registration Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Food business framework (LFGB) (Germany) — EU Regulation 852/2004 Art. 6(2) requires registering a food business with the competent district food-safety authority in Germany.
• Food business registration or approval (Norway) — A food business in Norway generally registers with Mattilsynet before starting, implementing EU Regulation 852/2004 Art. 6(2) via the EEA Agreement.
• Food business operating permit or notification (Switzerland) — A food business in Switzerland that does not handle animal-origin food need only notify (melden) its cantonal enforcement authority.
• Food premises registration (Malaysia) — A food premises owner in Malaysia must register through the Ministry of Health's FoSIM system across four categories (manufacturing, catering, restaurant/retail, mobile vendors); operating unregistered risks a fine up to RM10,000 or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
• Food business registration (Taiwan) — A food business in a category and scale designated by public announcement in Taiwan may commence operations only after applying for registration with the competent authority.
• Food business notification (NSW) (Australia) — Every food business in New South Wales must notify its local council, or the NSW Food Authority for higher-risk sectors, before beginning to trade.
• Food premises registration (Victoria) (Australia) — Every business selling food or drink in Victoria must register with its local council before trading, with the lowest-risk Class 4 needing only a free notification.
• Food business licence or notification (Japan) — A food business outside the 32 sector types named in Japan's Food Sanitation Act Enforcement Order must instead give prior notification to the prefectural governor.
• Food business approval — animal-origin food (Ireland) — A food business within the scope of EU Regulation 853/2004 (animal-origin food) needs approval from the registering authority, not merely registration.