Regulation 2 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Regulation 2.1.1 is the rule under which a petty food business registers instead of taking a licence. It requires Form A with a fee, a self-attested hygiene declaration, and a decision by the Registering Authority within 7 days, or 30 days if an inspection is ordered. This article is based on the 2017 compendium (Version II, 09.11.2017); later amendments may have changed it, verify on fssai.gov.in. If you want help with the application, see our basic FSSAI registration service.
Every petty Food Business Operator must register with the Registering Authority by applying in Form A under Schedule 2 with the fee in Schedule 3, and give a self-attested declaration of adherence to the hygiene requirements in Part I of Schedule 4 (Annexure-1 under Schedule 2). The authority must grant, reject with written reasons, or order inspection within 7 days; if inspected, registration follows within 30 days. If nothing is decided in time, the business may start, but must comply with later improvements. Inspection happens at least once a year. All of this is as per the 2017 compendium; later amendments may have changed it.
Who this is for
Regulation 2.1.1 applies to a "petty" food business as defined in Regulation 1.2.1 (see definitions, including Petty Food Manufacturer). In the 2017 text, that includes self-selling manufacturers, petty retailers, hawkers, itinerant vendors, temporary stall holders and small businesses within stated turnover and capacity limits. Check that definition first. Everyone else moves to Regulation 2.1.2 (see Regulation 2.1.2). For the existing guides, see Form A: complete process and the Form A application guide.
The six sub-regulations
| Sub-reg. | What it says |
|---|---|
| (1) | Every petty Food Business Operator registers with the Registering Authority by application in Form A under Schedule 2, with the fee under Schedule 3 |
| (2) | The petty food manufacturer follows the basic hygiene and safety requirements in Part I of Schedule 4 and gives a self-attested declaration in the format in Annexure-1 under Schedule 2 with the application |
| (3) | Within 7 days of receipt, the Registering Authority may grant registration, reject it with reasons recorded in writing, or issue notice for inspection |
| (4) | If inspection is ordered, registration is granted after the authority is satisfied with safety, hygiene and sanitary conditions (Part I of Schedule 4) within 30 days |
| (5) | The authority issues a registration certificate and a photo identity card, to be displayed at a prominent place at all times at the premises, vehicle, cart or other place of sale or manufacture |
| (6) | The authority or an authorised officer or agency inspects registered establishments at least once in a year |
The fee amounts are in Schedule 3, which this article does not reproduce; check the current schedule.
The decision timeline
- Day 0: you submit Form A, the fee and the Annexure-1 declaration.
- Within 7 days: the authority (a) grants registration, (b) rejects with reasons recorded in writing, or (c) issues a notice for inspection.
- If inspected: registration to be granted within 30 days, once the authority is satisfied with the conditions in Part I of Schedule 4.
- Silence: the text says that if registration is not granted or denied, or inspection is not ordered within 7 days, or no decision is communicated within 30 days after an inspection order, "the petty food manufacturer may start its business".
The deemed start and its condition
That last rule is often misread. The business may start when the authority stays silent, but the text adds: "it will be incumbent on the Food Business Operator to comply with any improvement suggested by the Registering Authority even later." It is permission to start, not a certificate. Note the dates and keep proof of submission, because you will need them if you rely on the silence. You should still expect the authority to issue the registration certificate and photo identity card under sub-regulation (5).
No refusal without a hearing
The proviso says registration shall not be refused without giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard and for reasons recorded in writing. This goes with the written-reasons rule in sub-regulation (3). If you receive a rejection, check it for reasons and ask whether a hearing was offered.
Display and inspection
The certificate and photo identity card must be displayed at a prominent place at all times, at the premises, vehicle, cart or other place where the person sells or manufactures food. Inspection of registered establishments is required at least once a year. Keep the Part I Schedule 4 basics in place, since the inspection tests them.
The dairy cooperative exemption
A proviso after sub-regulation (6) says a producer of milk who is a registered member of a dairy Cooperative Society registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, and who supplies or sells the entire milk to the Society, is exempt from the registration provision. Both conditions matter: membership and supply of the entire milk.
Practical examples
Example 1. A home baker who makes and sells cakes herself applies in Form A with the fee and the Annexure-1 declaration. The Registering Authority orders an inspection within 7 days. It must decide within 30 days of that.
Example 2. A street vendor applies, hears nothing in 7 days and no inspection is ordered. Under the 2017 text the vendor may start, but must comply with any improvement suggested later. The vendor should keep the acknowledgement of the application.
Example 3. A farmer supplies all his milk to a dairy cooperative society of which he is a registered member. He is exempt from registration. If he sells part of the milk elsewhere, the exemption does not apply on the text.
Example 4. An application is rejected without reasons or a hearing. The proviso requires both. The applicant can ask for the reasons in writing and request a hearing.
Need help with a registration application?
If you are a small food business and want to get Form A and the declaration right the first time, TaxClue can prepare and file the application as part of basic FSSAI registration. We will first check your business against the current regulations, since the 2017 text may have changed.
Key takeaways
- Petty food businesses apply in Form A with the Schedule 3 fee and a self-attested declaration.
- The authority has 7 days to grant, reject with written reasons, or order inspection; 30 days if inspected.
- Silence lets the business start, but later improvements must still be complied with.
- Registration cannot be refused without a hearing and written reasons.
- The certificate and photo identity card must be displayed, and inspection is at least yearly.
- All points are as per the 2017 compendium; later amendments may differ.
Read next
- Regulation 1.2.1: short title and definitions
- Regulation 2.1.2: licence for food business
- FSSAI basic registration (Form A): complete process
- Upgrade FSSAI registration to licence
Disclaimer: Based on the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 as enacted, read with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 where it applies (ss.59, 61 and 63 only), and the FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 as per the 2017 compendium (Version II, 09.11.2017). Later amendments may have changed the Regulations (fees, forms, validity, portal steps and thresholds); verify on fssai.gov.in. Verify current notifications, regulations and FSSAI orders before acting.