Will the Licensing for Pet Snack Manufacturing, Which Has Been Stalled, Finally Open Up?

Gangdong-gu Proposes Amendment to the Water Supply Act to Central Government
Requests Revision of Water Supply Act to Lower Licensing Barriers for Pet Snack Manufacturing Industry
Expect Job Creation and Economic Revitalization by Subdividing Industry According to Scale

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced on the 17th that it has officially requested the revision of the Water Supply Act to central government ministries and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, seeking the relaxation of regulations on the manufacturing of pet snacks.

This request was made as a measure to lower entry barriers for small-scale businesses in the related industry and to enhance job creation effects, reflecting the recent growth trend of the pet industry.

With the recent surge in pet owners, more residents are showing interest in pet food, and inquiries about permits for manufacturing single-feed pet snacks are also increasing.

However, in the case of Gangdong-gu, most of the land in the area is subject to restrictions under the Water Supply Act due to the presence of the Amsa Arisu Water Purification Center, one of the nation's critical facilities, which imposes significant limitations on permits for single-feed pet snack manufacturing businesses classified as factories under current law.

Gangdong-gu's proposal for legal revision aims to classify large-scale single-feed manufacturing for livestock and small-scale single-feed manufacturing for pet snacks as different business types, thereby easing the stringent permit requirements currently applied even to small-scale establishments.

If Gangdong-gu's proposal is adopted and the related law is amended in the future, it is expected that small-scale single-feed manufacturing businesses will be able to operate in more than five times the number of locations within the district compared to before. This will also lower entry barriers for prospective entrepreneurs and small manufacturers facing difficulties in starting their businesses, contributing to job creation and revitalization of the local economy, the district office anticipates.

Mayor Lee Soo-hee of Gangdong-gu stated, “Relaxation of regulations on small-scale single-feed manufacturing is essential to respond to the increase in pet owners and job creation in Gangdong-gu,” adding, “We will continue to actively advocate for the relaxation of regulations on single-feed manufacturing to various central government ministries.”