New regulated product application system launched by the FSA and FSS
A new application system for regulated products launched by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is welcomed by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC).
Feed additives and GMOs fall under the scope of regulated products as will precision bred products. AIC considers the introduction of a page informing the applicant of the status of their application to be a helpful improvement for agri-supply businesses.
Visit the FSA website to access the new system.
AIC will continue to press the UK Government for more resource to be made available to the FSA and the FSS to help speed up the regulated products approval process, and to also consider changes to the approvals procedure to help achieve the same objective.
Find out more by clicking the link below.
'Efficient system'
These are certain types of food and feed ingredients that require authorisation before they can be sold in the UK.
The new, more efficient system aims to help businesses follow the correct procedure when it comes to securing the necessary authorisation to sell regulated food and feed products.
Applicants are provided with a checklist of what is required, will be allowed more time for the application and supporting material to be uploaded and completed, and will be able to see the progress of their application. Applicants will also receive regular updates, which they can respond to.
Additionally, the system will support renewals but will not affect applications already in progress on the previous system.
Sarah Houghton, Deputy Director for Regulatory Services at the FSA said: "Beyond the continuous improvement plans for the current system, the FSA is also actively pursuing a much wider programme of reform in line with UK Government priorities.
"This includes exploring ways in which we can streamline the regulatory process and the FSA is developing a new regulatory framework for Precision Bred food and feed."
Garry Mournian, FSS Director of Policy and Science, said: "We are delighted to be launching the new regulated product application system as it will ensure businesses have access to the best possible systems and guidance to help them through the authorisation process."
Authors
James McCulloch
Simon Williams
Simon Williams is Technical Manager for AIC Services. He is based at AIC Head Office, Peterborough and is responsible for the management and coordination of the FEMAS and UFAS assurance schemes as well as being the key contact for mutual recognition with European scheme owners and managing Earned Recognition relationships with UK feed and food competent authorities.