Business Incubators Now Eligible to Register for Imported Food Operations

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Announces Legislative Notice for Revised Enforcement Rules of the "Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control"

Going forward, venture and startup companies located in business incubators will also be able to register for operations such as importing food products.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on November 17 that it has issued a legislative notice for the revised enforcement rules of the "Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control," which includes these changes.

This amendment aims to rationally improve the safety management system for imported food and related products, thereby reducing the burden on business operators and enabling consumers to safely consume imported foods.

First, the amendment relaxes facility requirements so that business incubators, which are educational and research facilities, can also conduct operations involving imported foods. Currently, companies wishing to engage in such operations must have an independent office in neighborhood living facilities or business facilities. However, business incubators, as educational and research facilities, have not met this requirement, making it difficult to register for operations.

Accordingly, under Article 18-3 of the "Special Act on the Promotion of Venture Businesses," the Ministry will relax facility requirements so that companies located in business incubators established and operated within universities or research institutes can also register for operations, thereby supporting the smooth market entry of venture and startup companies.

The amendment also expands the scope of recognition for electronic certificates, allowing all certificates issued by the government of the exporting country-submitted during import declaration for imported livestock, fishery products, and animal-based foods-to be verified electronically, in addition to the existing health certificates. This will prevent all forms of certificate forgery or alteration, strengthen safety management of imported foods, and reduce costs and time associated with issuing paper certificates, thereby alleviating the burden on business operators.

Additionally, for imported foods purchased through internet proxy buying services, which have simplified import declaration procedures compared to regular imported foods, operators will be required to provide guidance to the "Overseas Direct Purchase Food Guide" website in their advertisements, and new administrative penalties will be established for violators. As a result, consumers will be able to more easily access information about potentially hazardous overseas foods and safely consume imported foods purchased through proxy buying services.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated that it will continue to prioritize safety and systematically improve the safety management system to create an environment where the public can consume imported foods with confidence.

Detailed information regarding the amendment can be found on the National Legislative Information Center and the Ministry's website, and those wishing to submit opinions may do so until the 29th of next month.