On November 2, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) issued the English version of Order 248 Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food. Some contents are as follows.

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 To strengthen the registration management of overseas manufacturers of imported foods, these Regulations are formulated in accordance with provisions of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and its implementing regulations, the Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection and its implementing regulations, the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementation regulations, the Special Provisions of the State Council on Strengthening the Supervision and Administration of Food and Other Products Safety, as well as relevant administrative regulations.

Article 2 These Regulations apply to the registration management of overseas manufacturers of production, processing, and storage (hereinafter referred to as "overseas manufacturers of imported foods") that export foods to China.

The overseas manufacturers of imported foods mentioned in the above paragraph do not include manufacturers engaging in the production, processing, and storage of food additives and food-related products.

Article 3 The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) is responsible for the registration management of overseas manufacturers of imported foods.

Article 4 Overseas manufacturers of imported foods shall obtain registration with the GACC.

Chapter II Conditions and Procedures for Registration

Article 5 The registration conditions for overseas manufacturers of imported foods are as follows:

1. The food safety management system of the country/region where the manufacturer is located has passed GACC's equivalence assessment and/or review;

2. The manufacturer was established with approval by the competent authority of the country/region, and the manufacturer is under effective regulation by the competent authority;

3. The manufacturer has an established, effective food safety and sanitation management system and protection system, legally produces and exports food in the country/region, and ensures that foods exported to China comply with relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and national food safety standards;

4. Food exporting to China conforms with relevant inspection and quarantine requirements that have been agreed upon after discussion by the GACC and the competent authorities of the country/region.

Article 6 Registration of overseas manufacturers of imported foods include recommendation for registration by competent authority of the country/region, and application for registration by a manufacturer.

The GACC, based on analysis of various factors, including sources of raw materials, production and processing technologies, historical data about food safety, consumer groups, consumption methods of food, and in consideration of international practices, determines the method for registration of overseas manufacturers of imported food and the required application materials.

If risk analysis or evidence presents that risks of a certain category of food has changed, GACC may adjust the registration method and required application materials for overseas manufacturers of the corresponding food.

Article 7 Overseas manufacturers of the following foods shall be recommended by the competent authorities of their countries/regions to the GACC for registration: meat and meat products, casings, aquatic products, dairy products, bird's nests and bird’s nest products, bee products, eggs and egg products, edible oils and fats, oilseeds, stuffed pastry products, edible grains, milled grain industry products and malt, fresh and dehydrated vegetables and dried beans, condiments, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, unroasted coffee beans and cocoa beans, foods for special dietary purposes, and functional foods.

Article 8 The competent authority of the country/region shall examine and inspect the manufacturer to be recommended for registration; after confirming that the manufacturer conforms with the registration requirements, the competent authority of the country/region recommends the producer to the GACC for registration, and submits the following application materials:

1. Letter of recommendation by the competent authority of the country/region;

2. List of recommended manufacturers and the manufacturers' applications for registration;

3. Documents certifying identification of the manufacturer, such as the business license issued by the competent authority of the country/region;

4. Statement that the producer recommended by the competent authority of the country/region conform with requirements of these Regulations;

5. Reports of examinations/inspections/review conducted by the competent authority of the country/region to relevant manufacturers.

If necessary, the GACC may request documents related to the manufacturer's food safety, sanitation, and protection system, such as floor plans of the factory/workshops/cold storages, and the processing flow chart and others.

Article 9 Overseas manufacturers of foods other than those listed in Article 7 of these Regulations shall, by themselves or by agents, file applications for registration with the GACC and submit the following application materials:

1. Manufacturer's application for registration;

2. Documents certifying the identification of the manufacturer, such as business license issued by the competent authority of the country/region;

3. Statement by the manufacturer that it conforms with requirements of these Regulations.

Article 10 The application for manufacturer registration shall contain the following information: the name of the manufacturer, country/region where the manufacturer is located, address of the production site, legal representative, contact person, contact information, registration number approved by the competent authority of the country/region, the type of food for registration, type of production, and production capacity, etc.

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Source: GACC

Note: This article is compiled by Antion, please indicate our source if reprint it.