Collagen and Gelatine (Intra-Community Trade) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004

Authorisation of establishments producing collagen intended for human consumption

5.—(1) A district council shall, on application being made under this regulation, authorise an establishment for the production of collagen intended for human consumption if the district council is satisfied that –

(a) the proprietor of the establishment carries out checks to ensure that –

(i) critical points in the establishment relative to the production process used are identified and are acceptable to the district council,

(ii) methods for monitoring and controlling such points are established and are acceptable to the district council,

(iii) samples are taken for the purposes of checking, cleaning and disinfection methods and compliance with the standards prescribed in accordance with Commission Decision 2003/721/EC,

(iv) such samples are analysed as appropriate in a laboratory acceptable to the district council,

(v) the district council is notified immediately when a laboratory examination of samples or any other information at the proprietor’s disposal reveals a serious health risk, and

(vi) in the event of an imminent health risk, the quantity of products, obtained in technologically similar conditions and likely to present the same risk, is withdrawn from the market;

(b) the proprietor of the establishment has a system in place for ensuring that a record is made in permanent form in respect of the matters specified in heads (i) to (iii) of paragraph (a) and the results of the analysis referred to in head (iv) of that paragraph, and that it is kept for a period of at least two years and is made available to the district council upon request;

(c) the proprietor of the establishment has arranged or established a staff training programme to enable staff engaged in the production of collagen intended for human consumption, and who do not already have qualifications which are adequate and relevant for that purpose, to comply with the conditions of hygienic production appropriate to their duties; and

(d) the district council has all the information it requires to notify the Agency of an authorisation in accordance with regulation 9(2)(a).

(2) When granting an authorisation under this regulation, the district council shall allocate a unique identification number to the establishment concerned.

(3) The proprietor of the business carried on at any establishment authorised under this regulation shall give notice immediately to the district council of –

(a) any change, or intended change, of the proprietorship of such business; or

(b) any material change, or intended material change, in the operation of such business.