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 2.1.3 tells you how to apply for an FSSAI licence. The application is made in Form B of Schedule 2 to the right Licensing Authority, with a self-attested declaration, copies of the documents listed in Annexure 2, and the fee under Schedule 3. This article is based on the 2017 compendium (Version II, 09.11.2017); later amendments may have changed it, verify on fssai.gov.in. For help assembling the file, see our State FSSAI licence service.
The application for a licence is made in Form B of Schedule 2 to the Licensing Authority identified under Regulation 2.1.2(3) or (4): Central for Schedule 1 businesses, State/UT for the rest. It must be accompanied by a self-attested declaration in the format of Annexure-1, copies of documents mentioned in Annexure 2 of Schedule 2, and the applicable fee in Schedule 3. This is the 2017 text; later amendments may have changed the forms, documents and fees.
The whole regulation in one table
Regulation 2.1.3 is a single paragraph with no sub-regulations. It has four parts.
| Element | What the text requires |
|---|---|
| Form | Form B of Schedule 2 |
| Where | The Licensing Authority specified in Regulation 2.1.2(3) and 2.1.2(4), that is, Central or State/UT |
| Declaration | A self-attested declaration in the format provided in Annexure-1 |
| Documents and fee | Copies of documents mentioned in Annexure 2 of Schedule 2, with the applicable fees prescribed in Schedule 3 |
Where the requirement comes from
Section 31(3) of the Act says any person who wants to commence or carry on a food business shall apply for a licence to the Designated Officer, in such manner, with such particulars and fees, as specified by regulations. Regulation 2.1.3 is that specification. Read it with Regulation 2.1.2 on who needs a licence, which fixes which authority receives the application.
Choosing the right authority first
The application goes to the authority that matches your business. A business listed in Schedule 1 applies to the Central Licensing Authority. A business outside Schedule 1 applies to the State/UT Licensing Authority. A wrong-authority filing wastes time, so check the category before you start. A petty operator does not use Form B at all and registers in Form A under Regulation 2.1.1.
The self-attested declaration
The declaration follows the Annexure-1 format in Schedule 2. Annexure-1 is, in the 2017 compendium, the same declaration format that accompanies a petty registration. It is your own statement of compliance, which you sign and attest. Because Regulation 2.1.2(5) requires continuing compliance with the Schedule 4 hygiene requirements, treat the declaration as a real commitment. A declaration that is wrong can be tested at inspection under Regulation 2.1.4(4) and afterwards.
Annexure 2 documents
The regulation does not list the documents itself; it refers to Annexure 2 of Schedule 2. The list in the 2017 compendium is long and depends on the category of business. Our existing post on documents required for an FSSAI licence gives the practical working list, but always check the current list on the FSSAI site, since document requirements are the part most likely to have been revised since 2017.
Fees
The fee is whatever Schedule 3 prescribes for the applicant's category and the chosen term. This article does not reproduce Schedule 3. Regulation 2.1.7 lets the operator choose a licence term of 1 to 5 years, and the fee is payable for that period. Regulation 2.1.10 deals with the mode of payment. Because fees have been revised over time, use the current fee table. Our post on FSSAI licence fees discusses the structure.
What happens after you file
Filing does not end the process. Under Regulation 2.1.4, the Licensing Authority scrutinises the application, may ask for more information, issues an Application ID number on a complete application, and may order an inspection. The licence is to be issued within 60 days from the date of the Application ID. See Regulation 2.1.4: processing of application.
Practical examples
Example 1. A biscuit manufacturer outside Schedule 1 prepares Form B, the Annexure-1 declaration, Annexure 2 document copies and the Schedule 3 fee, and files with the State Licensing Authority.
Example 2. A dairy unit that falls within the Schedule 1 dairy category files with the Central Licensing Authority, not the State.
Example 3. A street-food cart owner asks whether to use Form B. As a petty operator, the owner uses Form A under Regulation 2.1.1, if the business fits the petty definition in Regulation 1.2.1.
Need help with a licence application?
When the paperwork is wrong, the application loses time at the scrutiny stage. TaxClue can check your category, assemble the declaration and supporting documents, and submit a State FSSAI licence application on your behalf. We confirm the current form and fee requirements before filing, since the 2017 compendium may be out of date.
Key takeaways
- The licence application is made in Form B of Schedule 2.
- It goes to the Central or State/UT Licensing Authority under Regulation 2.1.2(3) and (4).
- A self-attested Annexure-1 declaration, Annexure 2 document copies and the Schedule 3 fee go with it.
- Petty operators use Form A under Regulation 2.1.1 instead.
- Forms, documents and fees may have changed since the 2017 compendium; verify on fssai.gov.in.
Read next
- Regulation 2.1.2: licence for food business
- Regulation 2.1.4: processing of application
- FSSAI Form B: licence application guide
- FSSAI licence process step by step
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.