Guide
Get approved food establishment status in Wales
How to apply for approved establishment status through FSA Wales for businesses processing meat, dairy, fish, or egg products. Covers the application process, local authority and FSA Wales roles, premises requirements, conditional approval, identification marks, and ongoing compliance obligations under Regulation (EC) 853/2004.
If your business in Wales handles products of animal origin — such as meat, dairy, fishery products, or eggs — you may need approved establishment status before you can operate. This is a legal requirement under Regulation (EC) 853/2004, separate from the standard food business registration that all food businesses must complete.
Approval is required when you process, manufacture, or place on the market products of animal origin that are supplied to other businesses. If you only sell directly to the final consumer from your own premises (for example, a butcher's shop cutting meat for retail customers), you may not need approval — but you must still register as a food business.
In Wales, the Food Standards Agency (FSA Wales) is the competent authority for granting approval. Your local authority carries out the inspection on behalf of FSA Wales and makes a recommendation.
Who needs approved establishment status
You need approval if your Welsh premises will handle products of animal origin for supply to other businesses. This includes:
- Meat processing: slaughterhouses, cutting plants, minced meat and meat preparation facilities, game handling establishments
- Dairy processing: milk collection centres, dairy processing plants producing cheese, butter, yoghurt, or cream
- Fishery products: processing vessels, fish markets, factories handling fresh, frozen, or prepared fishery products
- Egg products: facilities producing liquid, dried, or frozen egg products (not packing centres for shell eggs)
- Cold stores and re-wrapping centres: handling products of animal origin for onward distribution
You do not need approval if you only carry out primary production (such as farming), retail activities selling directly to the final consumer, or domestic preparation for private consumption.
Requirements for approval
Premises layout and structural requirements
Your premises must be designed to prevent cross-contamination and allow effective cleaning. FSA Wales and your local authority will assess layout as part of the approval inspection:
How to apply for approval in Wales
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1. Register your food business first
If you have not already done so, register your food business with your local authority at least 28 days before you begin trading. Approval is a separate process on top of standard food business registration.
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2. Contact your local authority environmental health team
Tell your local authority that you intend to apply for approved establishment status. They will explain what documentation you need and may arrange a pre-application advisory visit to discuss your plans. This is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.
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3. Prepare your application
Complete the FSA Wales approval application form. You will need to provide details of the products of animal origin you intend to handle, a site plan showing your premises layout, details of your food safety management system (HACCP-based), information about water supply, waste disposal, and pest control arrangements, and details of any structural work planned or completed.
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4. Submit to your local authority
Send your completed application to your local authority, who will forward it to FSA Wales with their assessment. Your local authority acts as the inspection body on behalf of FSA Wales.
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5. Undergo an approval inspection
A local authority officer will carry out an on-site inspection of your premises. They will check that your facilities, equipment, procedures, and food safety management system meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 853/2004. The officer sends their inspection report and recommendation to FSA Wales.
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6. Receive FSA Wales decision
FSA Wales reviews the inspection report and decides whether to grant full approval, conditional approval, or refuse the application. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks after the inspection report is submitted.
The FSA Wales approval process
Conditional approval
If your premises meet most requirements but have minor non-compliances, FSA Wales may grant conditional approval for up to 3 months. This allows you to begin trading while you address the remaining issues.
During the conditional period:
- You can trade and use your identification mark
- Your local authority will carry out a follow-up inspection before the conditional period expires
- You must complete all required improvements within the timeframe set by FSA Wales
- FSA Wales may extend the conditional period by a further 3 months if you have made clear progress but need more time
If you fail to address the non-compliances within the allowed period, FSA Wales may refuse to grant full approval and you must stop operating.
Identification marks
Once approved, you receive a unique identification mark (also called a health mark for fresh meat). This mark must appear on all products of animal origin leaving your premises, or on their packaging. The mark is oval-shaped and contains:
- The country code (UK)
- Your unique approval number
- The abbreviation EC (or UK depending on the product category)
The identification mark proves your establishment is approved and your products have been produced under official controls. Other food businesses in the supply chain will require this mark before accepting your products.
Ongoing obligations after approval
Approval is not a one-off process. You must maintain compliance continuously:
- Maintain your HACCP system: keep your food safety management procedures up to date and ensure all records are current
- Allow inspections: your local authority will carry out regular announced and unannounced inspections on behalf of FSA Wales
- Report changes: notify your local authority and FSA Wales of any significant changes to your operations, premises layout, product range, or ownership
- Cooperate with sampling: official controls may include sampling of your products, water supply, and surfaces
Failure to maintain standards can result in FSA Wales suspending, withdrawing, or revoking your approval. This would mean you can no longer operate until the issues are resolved and re-approval is granted.
Common questions
Can I start trading before approval is granted? No. You must not place products of animal origin on the market from an unapproved premises. This is a criminal offence under the Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006.
How long does the whole process take? Allow at least 8 to 12 weeks from initial contact with your local authority to receiving a decision. Complex applications, or premises requiring structural work, may take longer.
Do I need approval for a mobile operation? If you process products of animal origin (for example, a mobile butchery unit) and supply to other businesses, you will likely need approval. Contact your local authority to confirm.
What if I already have approval in England? Approval granted by an English local authority does not automatically apply to premises in Wales. You must apply separately through the FSA Wales route described in this guide.
Get advice before you invest
Contact your local authority environmental health team early in your planning. A pre-application discussion can help you avoid costly mistakes in premises design and save time during the formal approval process. FSA Wales also publishes guidance on its website at food.gov.uk.