Auditing Agency 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.
Regulations 4 to 7 of the Food Safety Auditing Regulations, 2018 take an auditing agency from application to recognition, set the three-year validity of the Certificate of Recognition, provide for renewal and change in scope, and list the grounds on which recognition can be suspended or cancelled.
These Regulations are read as amended up to 28 August 2018 (the Regulations as notified; FSSAI lists no amendment as at 2 October 2026). The Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. Agencies and the businesses they audit can start from FSSAI compliance support.
An agency applies in Form A with documents and the printed fee. The Food Authority scrutinises the application and a Screening Committee recommends. Recognition is by a Certificate of Recognition in Form B, valid for three years. Renewal is sought not later than sixty days before expiry. Recognition can be suspended or cancelled on the eight grounds in regulation 7, with an appeal to the Central Government.
Regulation 4: procedure for recognition
- 4(1) An agency seeking recognition applies in Form A along with the requisite documents and the fee printed in the regulation.
- 4(2) The Food Authority scrutinises the application and, if there is a deficiency, calls for rectification or supplementary information within thirty days from the date of receipt.
- 4(3) The agency must rectify or furnish the information within fifteen days of receipt of the communication, failing which the application shall be rejected.
- 4(4) The Food Authority shall constitute a Screening Committee for granting recognition.
- 4(5) On being satisfied that the agency fulfils all requirements, the Food Authority places the application before the Screening Committee for recommendation on the grant of recognition.
The two periods point in opposite directions: the Authority has thirty days to raise a deficiency, and the agency has fifteen days to cure it. Form A is described in our article on monitoring, disputes, records and forms; the criteria the application is tested against are in regulations 1 to 3.
Regulation 5: terms and conditions of recognition
- 5(1) On the recommendation of the Screening Committee and after the deposit of the recognition fee printed in the regulation, the Food Authority may grant recognition by issuing a Certificate of Recognition in Form B. A proviso lets the Screening Committee, if it thinks necessary, assess the agency's auditors before recommending.
- 5(2) The Certificate is valid for a period of three years.
- 5(3) A recognised agency seeking a change in scope applies in Form A with documents and the fee printed in the regulation.
- 5(4) The Certificate may be suspended or cancelled on any of the grounds in regulation 7.
Regulation 6: renewal
- 6(1) The agency applies for renewal not later than sixty days before the expiry date shown in the Certificate, with the renewal fee printed in the regulation.
- 6(2) Before renewing, the Food Authority has regard to four things: (a) the agency continues to meet the criteria in regulation 3; (b) its performance in the previous validity period; (c) any complaints received during the period of validity; and (d) the Screening Committee's recommendation for evaluation.
- 6(3) On being satisfied, and after deposit of the recognition fee printed there, the Food Authority renews the Certificate for a further period of three years.
The Regulations do not say what happens to an agency that misses the sixty-day mark; the text is silent. This article gives no amounts; the fees are set out in regulations 4, 5 and 6 themselves.
Regulation 7: suspension or cancellation
Regulation 7(1) lists the grounds on which the Food Authority may suspend or cancel recognition.
| Ground | Printed in short |
|---|---|
| (i) | the agency has been declared insolvent by a competent authority |
| (ii) | it has failed to perform its duties satisfactorily or in accordance with the Regulations |
| (iii) | it has suppressed material information or committed fraud |
| (iv) | it has become incompetent to continue to be accredited |
| (v) | it has failed to provide access to records and information for assessment or investigation |
| (vi) | it has failed to take timely corrective measures directed by the Food Authority |
| (vii) | the Screening Committee's recommendation on complaints about its conduct |
| (viii) | it has provided false information about conflict of interest |
The procedure that follows is set out in the remaining sub-regulations.
- 7(2) The Food Authority, if satisfied that recognition is liable to be suspended or cancelled, may issue a show cause notice.
- 7(3) The agency files its reply within fifteen days from receipt of the show cause notice, failing which the decision to cancel or suspend shall be taken by the Food Authority.
- 7(4) The Food Authority considers the reply and passes such order as it deems fit within thirty days of receiving it.
- 7(5) Where recognition has been suspended, the suspension may be revoked if the agency has taken the necessary corrective measures.
- 7(6) Where recognition has been cancelled, the agency makes a fresh application only after a period of six months from the date of cancellation.
- 7(7) Recognition is deemed suspended or cancelled if the agency's accreditation is suspended or cancelled by its accrediting body.
- 7(8) The agency may appeal to the Central Government against an order of suspension or cancellation.
An invented example: GreenLeaf Audits' NABCB accreditation is suspended by its accreditation body. Under 7(7), its recognition is deemed suspended without any further order. If instead the Food Authority finds that GreenLeaf suppressed material information, it may issue a show cause notice under 7(2); GreenLeaf has fifteen days to reply, the Authority has thirty days after the reply to pass an order, and if recognition is cancelled GreenLeaf can reapply only after six months. It may appeal to the Central Government under 7(8).
Where to read next
Recognition is the first Part; the audit process, auditors' duties, the audit report and the conflict-of-interest declaration follow in regulations 8 to 12. For the Act's recognition powers see sections 43 and 44 of the FSS Act.
Need help with audit compliance?
Food businesses are affected indirectly when their agency's recognition is suspended or cancelled, because the Regulations speak of audits by a recognised auditing agency. Our FSSAI compliance support team can help you check an agency's status and plan the audit calendar.
Key takeaways
- Application in Form A; the Food Authority raises deficiencies within thirty days; the agency has fifteen days to cure.
- A Screening Committee recommends; the Certificate of Recognition in Form B is valid for three years.
- Renewal application: not later than sixty days before expiry; renewal is for three years.
- Eight grounds for suspension or cancellation; reply to a show cause notice within fifteen days.
- After cancellation, a fresh application only after six months; appeal lies to the Central Government.
Read next
- Regulations 1–3: recognition criteria
- Regulations 8–12: audit process, auditors and reports
- Third party food safety auditing under FSSAI
- Sections 43 and 44, FSS Act
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.