Applicant Commitment System' for Pilot Food Licensing in Chengdu High-tech Zone

In the past, restaurants, cafes and other business units had to obtain food business licenses for more than a month; now, only one day can be done. Recently, the Market Supervision Bureau of Chengdu High-tech Zone in Sichuan Province has piloted the implementation of the "applicant commitment system" for food business licenses for large chain food business units. On August 8, Dongfangxin Hope Tianxiang Branch of Chengdu Starbucks Coffee Co., Ltd. took the lead in obtaining the first food business license issued after the implementation of the "Applicant Commitment System".

It is understood that the pilot approval reform of the high-tech zone is mainly aimed at two types of enterprises: first, there are 30 or more large chain food sales units within the high-tech zone that use unified stores, including supermarkets, convenience stores, professional stores (monopoly stores), comprehensive shopping malls; second, there are 30 and more large chain food sales units within the scope of the high-tech zone. The above-mentioned large chain enterprises use unified stores (currently only pilot in drinks stores), and achieve unified procurement and distribution of food, unified management standards, unified store layout standards. If the above conditions are met, enterprises can apply for food business licenses as required. Upon receipt of the materials, the Market Supervision Bureau of the High-tech Zone will review the application materials within 20 working days. After the approval of the evaluation, the enterprise will open new stores in the future and apply for a food business license in one day. The person in charge of the Market Supervision Bureau of the High-tech Zone said that the implementation of the "applicant commitment system" for food licensing simplified the licensing process, shortened the licensing time, facilitated the operation of enterprises and optimized the business environment. The person in charge stressed: "This does not mean that we have relaxed the supervision of food safety, but that we have changed the supervision of prior approval into follow-up service after the event. At the same time, it further clarifies the main responsibility of food safety of enterprises, which is good for consumers.