Date of Issue: 4 January 2017
Date of Effect: Immediate
Attention:
Industries - Export Dairy Establishments, Industry bodies - Dairy Australia, Licensed exporters
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - Central and Regional offices, ATMs and FOMs
Affected Markets: Peoples Republic of China
Further information: Please contact Exports if you have queries.
This market access advice provides information on the new China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) infant formula formulation registration requirements which will be enforced from 1 January 2018.
In October 2015, CFDA implemented China’s revised Food Safety Law (FSL) which introduced a range of new food safety measures for domestically produced and imported foods in China. A key regulatory change under the FSL is the introduction of new registration requirements for infant formula manufacturers wishing to produce product for the Chinese market.
The Administrative Measures for Registration of Infant and Young Children Milk Powder Formula Recipes (Administrative Measures) outlines CFDA’s new registration requirements for domestic and foreign infant formula manufacturers. In accordance with these Administrative Measures, all infant formula brands exported to China must be registered with CFDA prior to 1 January 2018.
Please note, these new Administrative Measures are in addition to the existing Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA) infant formula establishment registration requirements.
Registration Process
Registration application
To register infant formula brands, manufacturing establishments must complete CFDA’s registration process, which includes submitting a formal registration application. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources understands that the registration application must be submitted in Mandarin to CFDA directly in hard copy AND in soft copy through the CFDA website. A link to the application forms can be found at the above website.
CFDA have advised that the application process is now open. The department encourages manufactures to submit registration applications as early as possible to allow CFDA enough time to assess and approve infant formula brands prior to 1 January 2018.
Guidance documents regarding the CFDA registration process and registration application have been provided by CFDA and are available at Attachment 1.
To assist applicants in answering part 5 of the application, “R&D Report”, the department is developing a document that outlines the role of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and provides links to information relating to the scientific research that underpins Australia’s food safety standards for infant formula composition and production. This can be used to supplement information provided by each company. Please note, this document will not address questions relating to brand differentiation. This document will be available in both English and Mandarin on 1 February 2017.
Although the department has no formal role in the CFDA application process, we would be grateful if you could advise the departments Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program when your company has lodged their application, indicating the name of the individual brands submitted and the date the application was lodged. This process may assist in any follow-up questions or concerns expressed by CFDA.
On-site audits
The department understands that CFDA may request an on-site establishment audit prior to registering infant formula brands. The department is currently seeking further advice in relation to the coordination of these audits between the department, CFDA and CNCA.
The department will advise industry once further information becomes available.
The information provided above is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.