China Health Foods: CFDA Grants Grace Period for Health Food Registration Renewal

Takehome:

• A 6 month grace period has been granted for health food registration renewal until Jan. 1, 2017.

On Dec. 12, 2016, China CFDA announced the requirements for health food registration renewal in accordance with “Administrative Measures for Registration and Filing of Health Foods” which has been effective since Jul. 1, 2016. Under this regulation it is stipulated that for health food registration certificate renewal the registrant should apply for extension 6 months prior to the expiry date. A 6 month grace period has been granted for health food registration renewal until Jan. 1, 2017, after which registration renewal expiry requirements will be strictly carried out according to the above regulation.

However, it is stipulated in the new announcement that in cases where the registrant fails to apply for registration renewal 6 months before expiry, an applicant can make an application to CFDA before Dec. 31, 2016, and the expiry date for registration renewal will be extended for another 6 months under one of the following circumstances:

• The registrant applied for registration renewal before Jul. 1, 2016, but failed to supplement the required dossiers according to local FDA requirements within the time limit of 6 months.
• The registrant was deemed to have failed to apply for registration renewal before the 6 month deadline due to failure to provide health food production and trading data after Jul. 1, 2016.

Reference link

CFDA No. 163 (2016) Announcement