Food production in Poland: what permits are required for entrepreneurs

Food production in Poland is a serious business that requires strict compliance with the norms and regulations established by law. An important part of this process is obtaining permits that confirm the product's compliance with all quality and safety standards. Below are the main permits required for entrepreneurs to produce food products in Poland.

Business registration

• Before starting production, entrepreneurs need to register their business with the National Health Service (Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego — Państwowy Zakład Higieny) and obtain a unique registration number.
• It is also necessary to obtain a license for food production and go through all the necessary procedures and inspections to gain the right to produce food products.

Sanitary and epidemiological conclusion

• Entrepreneurs need to obtain a sanitary and epidemiological conclusion that confirms the compliance of all production processes and equipment with hygiene requirements.
• This conclusion is issued by the competent authority after a thorough inspection of all sanitary safety conditions and standards at the production site.

Product certification

• Entrepreneurs also need to certify their products to confirm their compliance with quality and safety standards.
• These can be various quality certificates, such as ISO 22000 or HACCP, as well as organic production certificates or gluten-free certificates, depending on the nature of the product.

Trade permit

• Finally, in order to sell their products in the market, entrepreneurs need to obtain a trade permit (Zezwolenie na sprzedaż).
• This permit is issued by local authorities and confirms the enterprise's right to sell its products in accordance with the law.

It is important to keep in mind that all listed documents must be obtained in accordance with the requirements of Polish legislation and may vary depending on the specific type and volume of food production.

Permit for the use of premises In addition to the main permitting documents, it is also necessary to obtain a permit for the use of premises for production. This includes checking compliance with safety conditions and requirements in production areas.

License for the sale of alcoholic beverages.  If your products include alcoholic beverages, you will need a special license for the sale of alcohol. This is an important aspect to consider in order to avoid violating the law.

Permit for advertising placement. When promoting your products, it is also important to obtain the appropriate permission for advertising placement. This may be required for both outdoor advertising and internet advertising. 

Patents and licenses for intellectual property. If your product is unique and includes innovative solutions, you may need to obtain patents or licenses for intellectual property to protect your rights and prevent copying. 

Insurance Don't forget about insuring your business as well. Fire, accident, and other risk insurance will help protect your business from losses and provide you with additional protection. 

Continuous updating of knowledge and requirements. Since legislation and requirements may change, it is important to continuously update your knowledge and monitor changes in legislation. This will help you stay informed about the latest requirements and avoid potential problems.