Regulation 2 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.
Regulation 2.1.7 fixes how long a registration or licence lasts and how to renew it. The term is 1 to 5 years as the operator chooses; renewal must be applied for not later than 30 days before expiry; a late application before expiry carries a late fee of Rs 100 per day; and a licence not renewed in time expires. This article is based on the 2017 compendium (Version II, 09.11.2017); later amendments may have changed it, verify on fssai.gov.in. For renewals, see our FSSAI renewal service.
A registration or licence is valid for 1 to 5 years, as chosen by the operator, subject to the fee for that period and compliance with licence conditions. Apply for renewal in Form A or Form B not later than 30 days before expiry. A licence continues in force until orders are passed on renewal, never beyond 30 days from expiry. A renewal filed late but before expiry needs a late fee of Rs 100 per day (not applicable to registration, per the amended text). If no renewal is applied for in time, the registration or licence expires and all business activity must stop. All this is as per the 2017 compendium; later amendments may have changed it.
The six sub-regulations
| Sub-reg. | What it says |
|---|---|
| (1) | Valid for 1 to 5 years as chosen by the operator from the date of issue, subject to the fee for the period and compliance with licence conditions |
| (2) | Renewal application in Form A or Form B of Schedule 2 not later than 30 days prior to the expiry date |
| (3) | The registration or licence continues in force until orders are passed on the renewal application, in no case beyond 30 days from the date of expiry |
| (4) | A renewal filed after the 30-day cut-off but before expiry carries a late fee of Rs 100 per day of delay. A proviso says the late fee is not applicable in case of registration |
| (5) | If renewal is not applied for within the periods in (2) or (4), the registration or licence expires, the operator must stop all business activity, and needs a fresh registration or licence under Regulation 2.1.1 or 2.1.3 to restart |
| (6) | An operator with a valid certificate from an accredited food safety auditor (or an agency accredited by the Food Authority or notified for the purpose) is not normally required to be inspected before renewal; the Designated Officer may still order inspection, for reasons recorded in writing |
Choosing the term
Sub-regulation (1) leaves the term to you: any period from one to five years. The fee is "applicable for the period", so a longer term means a larger upfront payment, as Schedule 3 provides. Section 31(9) of the Act says a licence remains in force for the period specified by regulations unless suspended or cancelled earlier. Pick the term against your business plan, but remember that the licence is valid only while you keep complying with its conditions. See Regulation 2.1.2 for those conditions.
The renewal timeline
- Up to 30 days before expiry: file in Form A (registration) or Form B (licence). No late fee.
- Fewer than 30 days before expiry, but before expiry: file with the late fee of Rs 100 for each day of delay. The text says registrations do not pay this late fee.
- On expiry and after: if you have not filed within those periods, the registration or licence expires.
- Between expiry and an order on a renewal filed in time: the registration or licence continues in force until orders are passed, but never beyond 30 days from expiry.
What "late fee for each day of delay" means
The text does not define the day count. The natural reading is that delay is measured from the 30-day cut-off in sub-regulation (2). Check how the current FoSCoS portal computes it, because that is an area where later amendments may have changed the position. Our existing post on renewal timeline and late fees discusses practice.
Continuation after expiry
Section 31(9) proviso of the Act says that if renewal is applied for before the period of validity expires, the licence continues until orders are passed. Sub-regulation (3) caps that at 30 days from expiry. After that, unless the authority has passed an order, the 2017 text does not extend it.
What happens if you miss the window
Sub-regulation (5) is blunt. The registration or licence expires, you must stop all business activity at the premises, and you must apply afresh under Regulation 2.1.1 (registration) or 2.1.3 (licence) to restart. Carrying on without a valid licence exposes you to section 63, which, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, now provides a penalty which may extend to ten lakh rupees, in place of the earlier imprisonment and fine. See also our post on operating without an FSSAI licence, written before that amendment.
Inspection before renewal
If you hold a valid certificate from an accredited food safety auditor, or from an agency accredited or notified by the Food Authority, you will not normally be inspected before renewal. The Designated Officer can still order an inspection for reasons recorded in writing. Keep audit reports and improvement records ready. See also Schedule 4 Part II, audit and documentation.
Practical examples
Example 1. A licence expires on 30 June. Renewal filed on 25 May is on time. Filed on 10 June, it falls within the late-fee window and carries the per-day fee.
Example 2. A licensee forgets to renew and the licence expires. The business must stop. A fresh Form B application under Regulation 2.1.3 is needed to restart.
Example 3. A manufacturer holds an accredited auditor's certificate. The officer does not normally inspect before renewal, but may order one with recorded reasons.
Need help with a renewal?
A missed renewal stops the business, so the calendar matters more than the paperwork. TaxClue can track your expiry date, prepare the Form B renewal and file it inside the window through our FSSAI renewal service. We confirm the current fee and portal process first, because the 2017 text may have been amended.
Key takeaways
- Term: 1 to 5 years, chosen by the operator, with the matching fee.
- Renew not later than 30 days before expiry, in Form A or Form B.
- Late renewal before expiry attracts Rs 100 per day; registrations are excluded from that late fee in the amended text.
- Continuation after expiry is capped at 30 days.
- No renewal means expiry, a stop to business and a fresh application.
- An accredited auditor's certificate usually avoids a renewal inspection.
Read next
- Regulation 2.1.6: commencement of business
- Regulation 2.1.8: suspension or cancellation
- FSSAI licence renewal: process and validity
- How to renew FSSAI licence on FoSCoS
Disclaimer: Based on the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 as enacted, read with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 where it applies (ss.59, 61 and 63 only), and the FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 as per the 2017 compendium (Version II, 09.11.2017). Later amendments may have changed the Regulations (fees, forms, validity, portal steps and thresholds); verify on fssai.gov.in. Verify current notifications, regulations and FSSAI orders before acting.