Ukraine’s food safety regulator has outlined the procedure for obtaining an operating permit for businesses that handle animal-origin products or other higher-risk food categories. For producers, processors and investors, the clarification matters because the permit is one of the basic conditions for legal operation in sensitive food segments.
The requirement applies to market operators working with meat, milk, fish, eggs, honey and other products where safety controls are stricter. The company submits an application through an administrative service center or through Diia to the territorial office of the State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
Inspection before approval
After the application is received, inspectors must visit the facility within 15 calendar days. They assess whether premises and equipment meet legal requirements, whether hygiene procedures are in place, and whether the site can produce safe food. The decision depends not on the business model, but on the real condition of the production site.
If the facility meets the requirements, the company receives an operating permit without a fixed expiry date. If the infrastructure and equipment meet only part of the required standards, the authority may issue a temporary permit for three months. That temporary status can be extended to six months if a repeat inspection shows progress but not full compliance.
The administrative fee is calculated as 0.17 of the minimum wage set for the year of application. In 2026, this equals 1,469.99 hryvnias. Once payment is confirmed, the territorial office must issue the decision within two working days. All issued permits are entered into the state register of market operators and facilities.
For business, the main value is predictability. A clear permit sequence reduces uncertainty for food processors, helps plan inspections and equipment upgrades, and gives investors a more transparent view of regulatory risk in Ukraine’s food industry.
