Applying for general decrees for foodstuffs

You wish to import food products that are lawfully marketed or manufactured in another EU member state, but deviate from German health protection regulations? Then you can apply for a general decree.

Food products that are lawfully marketed in a Member State of the European Union may generally be imported into and sold in other Member States, even if they do not comply with national regulations. The following restriction applies in Germany: If your product deviates from German health protection regulations, you require a general decree. You can apply for this from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

In your application, you must describe your product and state how it deviates from the regulations. The BVL can only issue general decrees for products that are safe to health. The BVL examines this point using your proof of the product's formulation. In addition, the BVL incorporates scientific assessments from other authorities, for example the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.

General decrees issued by the BVL apply not only to the respective individual product, but also to all products with the same formulation imported from the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). Consequently, a general decree only ever needs to be applied for by the company that wishes to import the product in question into Germany first. Issued general decrees are published in the Federal Gazette.

You can apply for the general decree online via the federal portal, by email, or by mail.

Apply for a general decree online via the federal portal:

• Access the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information, which you can enter electronically.
• Upload the required documents as a file and submit the application.
• You will receive a confirmation that your application has been received.
• The BVL will review your information and documents and forward them to the other competent authorities.
• The BVL will contact you if further documents or information are required.
• You will receive a notification of admission digitally via the return channel function of the federal portal or by mail.
• The general decree will be published in the Federal Gazette.

Apply for a general decree by email or mail:

• Access the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. Fill out the application online and save it as a print view.
• Attach all required documents.
• Send your application by email to the BVL. Alternatively, you can send the application and all necessary documents by mail to the BVL.
• You will receive a confirmation that your application has been received.
• The BVL will review your information and documents and forward them to the other competent authorities.
• The BVL will contact you if further documents or information are required.
• You will receive a notice of admission by mail.

The general decree will be published in the Federal Gazette.

• Appeal. Further information on how to appeal can be found in the legal remedy instruction in the notice regarding your application.
• Lawsuit before the administrative court. Further information on how to file a lawsuit can be found in the notice on legal remedies in the rejection of the objection.