Published: 2015-01-01
Key Benefits:
Passed 25.02.1999
RT I 1999, 30, 415
Entered into force in accordance with § 66.
| 16.06.1999 | RT I 1999, 58, 608 | 01.04.2000 |
| 14.11.2001 | RT I 2001, 93, 566 | 01.01.2002 |
| Consolidated text in paper version of Riigi Teataja RT I 2002, 13, 81 | RT I 2002, 13, 81 | |
| 19.06.2002 | RT I 2002, 61, 375 | 01.08.2002 |
| 19.06.2002 | RT I 2002, 63, 387 | 01.09.2002 |
| 03.12.2002 | RT I 2002, 102, 603 | 17.12.2002 |
| 08.04.2004 | RT I 2004, 27, 177 | 01.05.2004 |
| 22.04.2004 | RT I 2004, 34, 236 | 01.05.2004 |
| 01.06.2006 | RT I 2006, 28, 211 | 01.07.2006 |
| 06.12.2006 | RT I 2007, 1, 1 | 01.02.2007 |
| 14.02.2007 | RT I 2007, 22, 114 | 01.04.2007 |
| 14.02.2007 | RT I 2007, 22, 114 | 01.07.2007 |
| 20.03.2008 | RT I 2008, 16, 115 | 21.04.2008 |
| 30.09.2009 | RT I 2009, 49, 331 | 01.01.2010 |
| 10.12.2009 | RT I 2009, 64, 423 | 01.01.2010, in part 20.01.2010 |
| 22.04.2010 | RT I 2010, 22, 108 | 01.01.2011, will enter into force on the date specified in the decision of the Council of the European Union concerning abrogation of the derogation established with regard to the Republic of Estonia on the basis of Article 140(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Decision No 2010/146/EU of the Council of the European Union of 13 July 2010 (OJ L 196, 28.07.2010, pp. 24 26). |
| 15.09.2010 | RT I 2010, 72, 542 | 15.10.2010 |
| 13.01.2011 | RT I, 19.01.2011, 21 | 20.01.2011 |
| 23.02.2011 | RT I, 25.03.2011, 1 | 01.01.2014; date of entry into force amended 01.07.2014 [RT I, 22.12.2013, 1] |
| 30.01.2013 | RT I, 12.02.2013, 3 | 22.02.2013, in part 01.06.2013 |
| 15.05.2013 | RT I, 01.06.2013, 1 | 01.07.2013 |
| 05.12.2013 | RT I, 22.12.2013, 1 | 01.01.2014 |
| 19.02.2014 | RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 | 01.07.2014, the words ‘supervisory official’ have been replaced with ‘law enforcement authority’ throughout the Act |
| 05.06.2014 | RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 | 01.07.2014 |
| 12.06.2014 | RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 | 01.07.2014 |
| 19.06.2014 | RT I, 12.07.2014, 1 | 01.01.2015 |
| 19.06.2014 | RT I, 29.06.2014, 109 | 01.07.2014, the ministers’ official titles have been replaced on the basis of subsection 107³ (4) of the Government of the Republic Act. |
| 23.09.2014 | RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 | 13.12.2014, in part 20.07.2016 |
(1) This Act provides the grounds for handling food and raw material, the self-checking of an operator, and state supervision in order to ensure food safety and the compliance of food with other requirements. Where appropriate, the provisions of this Act also apply to the materials and articles specified in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Directives 80/590/EEC and 89/109/EEC (OJ L 338, 13.11.2004, pp. 4–17).
(2) This Act does not apply to the activities intended for private domestic use or consumption provided for in Article 1(3) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and safety requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 031, 01.02.2002, pp. 1‑24). This Act also does not apply to the activities provided in Article 1(3) of such Regulation if such activities are performed with the purpose of teaching students in educational establishments or for teaching, developing or assisting persons staying in welfare institutions.
(3) This Act does not apply to narcotic and psychotropic substances, tobacco, tobacco products and to the medicinal products specified in the Medicinal Products Act.
(4) This Act applies to the handling of alcohol and water insofar as the handling of alcohol and water is not regulated by other legislation.
(5) The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act apply to the administrative procedure laid down in the legislation of the European Union, this Act and the legislation established on the basis thereof, taking account of the specifications of the legislation of the European Union and this Act.
(51) In events provided for in an international agreement, this Act applies with the differences arising from the agreement.
[RT I, 01.06.2013, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2013]
(6) The Government of the Republic or the minister responsible for the field may establish, within the limits of their competence, legislation for taking measures relating to food in matters that, in accordance with the legislation of the European Union, a Member State has the right to decide.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
For the purposes of this Act, ‘food’ means a substance or product specified in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘primary production’ means an activity specified in Article 3(17) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, ‘primary product’ means products specified in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs (OJ L 139, 30.04.2004, pp. 1-54).
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘operator’ means a person specified in Article 3(13) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(2) For the purposes of this Act, ‘handling of food’ (hereinafter handling) means an activity within the stages or production, processing and distribution of food provided in Article 3(16) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) For the purposes of this Act, ‘retail’ means an activity specified in Article 3(7) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) A notice of economic activities must be submitted to the Veterinary and Food Board for:
1) handling food in an establishment specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
2) manufacture, processing and distribution of food contact materials and articles in a business specified in Article 2(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(2) In addition to the data specified in the General Part of the Economic Activities Code Act, the notice of economic activities must set out the following:
1) in the case of the field of activity specified in clause 1) of subsection (1) of this section, information about the field of handling and the food group;
2) in the case of the field of activity specified in clause 2) of subsection (1) of this section, information about the group of the food contact materials and articles.
(3) A detailed list of the fields of handling and food groups specified in clause 1) of subsection (2) of this section, whereby the operator must submit a notice of economic activities, will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(4) A notice of economic activities does not need to be submitted for commencement of economic activities in the field of activity specified in clause 1) of subsection (2) of this section if:
1) an activity licence must be held in accordance with § 8 of this Act or Article 6(3)(b) or (c) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council in order to handle food in the establishment;
2) in accordance with Article 1(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council or Article 1(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (OJ L 139, 30.04.2004, pp. 55–205), the requirements established by such Regulations do not apply to the establishment;
3) the business whose livestock building or facility or an area enclosed for the keeping of animals has been registered in the register of farm animals on the basis of the Infectious Animal Disease Control Act;
4) the operator holds an activity licence for handling medicinal products.
(5) A notice of economic activities does not need to be submitted in order to commence economic activities in the field of activity specified in clause 2) of subsection (1) of this section if the business specified in Article 2(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council must be reported in accordance with clause 7 (1) 1) of this Act or if the business must hold a food handling activity licence in accordance with § 8 of this Act.
(6) The information specified in this section is entered in the national register of food and feed business operators under § 23 of the Feed Act.
(7) The operator does not have to pay a state fee for entering the information contained in a notice of economic activities specified in subsection (1) of this section in the national register of food and feed business operators.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) The operator must hold an activity licence for handling food in the following establishments and businesses:
1) an establishment specified in Article 6(3)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
2) an establishment that handles primary products of animal origin in a manner that does not alter the initial shape or characteristics thereof, except an establishment that engages in the primary production of such products and the producer takes steps within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, or that engaged in the carriage of food;
3) an establishment where the initial shape and qualities of primary products of non-animal origin change in the course of handling, except the establishments specified in Chapter III of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
4) an establishment where food is processed, including produced, or packaged, except for the packaging of primary products of non-animal origin and the establishments specified in Chapter III of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
5) an establishment where food of animal origin is handled and marketed to another operator and that is specified in Chapter III of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
6) a business engaged in storing food which must be stored at temperatures different from the room temperature in order to ensure food safety;
7) an establishment that engages in retail trade and handles food that, for the purposes of food safety, must be kept at a temperature different from the room temperature, except the establishments specified in Chapter III of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
8) a business that engages in supplying food of animal origin, which does not comply with the requirements of the legislation of the European Union (hereinafter non-compliant food of animal origin), to a ship that engaged in international shipping outside the territorial waters of the European Union;
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
9) a business that engages in supplying non-compliant food of animal origin in a free zone, free warehouse or customs warehouse.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) An activity licence gives the operator the right to commence and pursue economic activities only in or with regard to the establishment or business specified in the activity licence.
[RT I, 25.03.2011, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014 (entry into force amended – RT I, 22.12.2013, 1)]
(3) A detailed list of the fields of handling and the food groups whereby the operator must hold an activity licence will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) An application for an activity licence will be reviewed by the Veterinary and Food Board.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) In addition to the information required in the General Part of the Economic Activities Code Act, an application for an activity licence must contain the following data and documents:
1) the list of the food groups for the handling of which the activity licence is being applied for;
2) the site map of the establishment or business along with the layout of the outdoor water supply and sewerage lines;
3) the layout of the rooms along with the layout of the machinery, equipment and indoor water supply and sewerage lines. All the water points must be numbered in the layout of the water supply network. The layout of the rooms must indicate paths of movement of food, packaging materials, waste and staff;
4) information on the finishing materials used in the handling rooms;
5) the numeric values of the relevant regulated parameter of the rooms with a regulated temperature or the rooms with relative humidity or the rooms with regulated temperature and relative humidity;
6) the technological scheme of the handling process along with parameters that are of relevance from the point of view of food safety and a short description of the technology;
7) the designed and planned or actual handling capacity, including the capacity of the storage facilities;
8) the test protocols of the water used in the business, which focus on the indicators investigated in the course of regular examination of the drinking water prescribed by subsection 13 (2) of the Water Act. the test protocols must be issued for analysing the drinking water by an accredited laboratory;
9) the cleaning and disinfection plan that contains information on the measures taken and substances used for cleaning and disinfecting the equipment and rooms;
10) the pest control plan that contains information on the measures taken for controlling pest;
11) the plan for the collection, removal and inactivation of food waste, by-products not used for food and other waste, which contains information on the measures taken for colleting, removing and inactivating these;
12) the food hygiene training plan of the employees coming into contact with food;
13) information on the means of transport used for the carriage of food and a description of cleaning the means of transport and circulating transportation packaging.
[RT I, 25.03.2011, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014 (entry into force amended – RT I, 22.12.2013, 1)]
(3) The information specified in this section is entered in the national register of food and feed business operators under § 23 of the Feed Act.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) The operator does not have to pay a state fee for a review of an application for the activity licence specified in subsection 8 (1) of this Act.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
An activity licence will be granted to an operator if the establishment or business used by it for handing food complies with the requirements established in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and in other relevant food-related legislation.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
The following secondary conditions apply to an activity licence:
1) the field of handling;
2) the food group.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[Repealed – RT I, 25.03.2011, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014 (entry into force amended – RT I, 22.12.2013, 1)]
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) Food to be placed on the market must be safe for human health and comply with other requirements provided for in this Act and other legislation (hereinafter compliant).
(2) Food must not contain parasites, pests or foreign substances that harm the properties of the food or endanger human health.
(3) It is prohibited to handle food which is spoilt or contaminated or which does not comply with microbiological requirements, or food spoilt as a result of the use of an unsuitable manufacturing process or due to odour, flavour, colour or other circumstances which are not characteristic of the food.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(4) In addition to the provisions of this Chapter, food must comply with the composition and quality requirements characteristic of the food. The composition and quality requirements per food group will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(5) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) Novel food within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 258/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients (OJ L 043, 14.2.1997, pp. 1–6) may be placed on the market only in compliance with the requirements of the Regulation.
(2) Genetically modified organisms and genetically modified food used for human consumption within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed (OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, pp. 1-23) may be placed on the market only in compliance with the requirements of the said Regulation.
(3) The assessment body within the meaning of Article 4(3) of Regulation 258/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, and the competent authority within the meaning of Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council is the Veterinary and Food Board.
(4) For the performance of duties arising from subsection (3) of this section the Veterinary and Food Board may request an opinion of the Advisory Committee of Novel Foods established by the minister responsible for the field, including experts of the following sectors:
1) technology of food products;
2) chemistry of food products;
3) biotechnology;
4) gene technology;
5) toxicology;
6) microbiology;
7) medical science;
8) dietary science;
9) consumer protection, legislation on food and food surveillance;
10) veterinary medicine;
[RT I 2010, 72, 542 – entry into force 15.10.2010]
11) feeding science.
[RT I 2010, 72, 542 – entry into force 15.10.2010]
(5) The activities of the Advisory Committee of Novel Foods are financed from the state budget through the budget of the Veterinary and Food Board.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) ‘Food for particular nutritional uses’ means food which is intended for persons with nutritional needs differing from normal nutritional needs due to disturbed digestive processes or metabolism or due to a special physiological condition and which is therefore prepared using a special manufacturing process or which has a different composition from food for normal consumption. Infant food and food for young children is also deemed to be food for particular nutritional uses.
(11) If food for normal consumption is suitable for persons specified in subsection (1) of this section and reference thereto is intended to be made in the information provided concerning the food, requirements established for food for particular nutritional uses apply to such food for normal consumption.
(2) Food for particular nutritional uses must comply with the requirements, be clearly distinguishable from food for normal consumption and be used for the declared purposes.
(3) [Repealed – RT I 2004, 27, 177 – entry into force 01.05.2004]
(4) [Repealed – RT I 2004, 27, 177 – entry into force 01.05.2004]
(5) Having regard to the purpose of the use of food for particular nutritional uses and the special characteristics of food groups, the Government of the Republic will establish the composition and quality requirements for food for particular nutritional uses, requirements for the substances used to prepare food for particular nutritional uses and requirements for the handling of food for particular nutritional uses.
(51) Upon the first placing on the market of the food for particular nutritional uses, which is prescribed for an infant formula, for medical reasons or concerning which there are no requirements established according to subsection (5) of this section, the person responsible for placing food on the market is required to inform the Veterinary and Food Board not later than on the day when the food is placed on the market by delivering the specimen of labelling to be used with the food for particular nutritional uses to be placed on the market, together with the notice containing at least the following information:
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
1) the name, address of the residence or seat, and telecommunications numbers of the person responsible for placing the food for particular nutritional uses on the market;
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
2) the name of the food;
3) the date of placing on the market of the food for particular nutritional uses.
[RT I 2008, 16, 115 – entry into force 21.04.2008]
(52) If the food for particular nutritional uses referred to in subsection (51) of this section has been placed on the market of another member state of the European Union, the person responsible for placing the food for particular nutritional uses on the Estonian market has to deliver to the Veterinary and Food Board:
1) the specimen of the labelling to be used with the food for particular nutritional uses to be placed on the market;
2) the notice referred to in subsection (51) of this section;
3) the information concerning the supervisory authority who was notified upon the first placing on the market of the food for particular nutritional uses, except in the event of an infant formula;
[RT I 2008, 16, 115 – entry into force 21.04.2008]
(53) If necessary, the Veterinary and Food Board may request from the person responsible for placing on the market of food for particular nutritional uses additional scientific information proving the existence of the special characteristics of such food. If this information is public, a reference to such publication or other permanent place of access is sufficient.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(6) [Repealed – RT I 2004, 27, 177 – entry into force 01.05.2004]
(7) [Repealed – RT I 2004, 27, 177 – entry into force 01.05.2004]
(8) [Repealed – RT I 2004, 27, 177 – entry into force 01.05.2004]
(9) [Repealed – RT I 2004, 27, 177 – entry into force 01.05.2004]
(1) ‘Food supplement’ means food the purpose of which is to attribute to the food for normal consumption and which is a concentrated source of nutrients or other substances with nutrient or physiological effect. These substances may be presented individually or in combinations and shall be placed on the market in sales packaging and in specified doses, such as capsules, pastilles, tablets and other similar products, as well as sachets of powder, ampoules with liquid, drop-bottles, etc., designed for using liquid or powder in small measured quantities.
(2) When a food supplement is placed on the market for the first time in Estonia, the person responsible for placing it on the market informs the Veterinary and Food Board thereof not later than on the day when it is placed on the market by delivering the specimen of labelling to be used with the food supplement, together with the notice containing at least the following information:
1) the name, address of the residence or seat, and telecommunications numbers of the person responsible for placing the food for particular nutritional uses on the market;
2) name of the food supplement;
3) the date of placing the food supplement on the market in Estonia.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(1) ‘Frozen food’ means food that has been subjected to a freezing process and then stored at the temperature prescribed for the food or raw material for food. In order to ensure the compliance of such food with the requirements, the period of freezing must be as short as possible.
(2) The requirements provided for in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and in other legislation and the special requirements for handling frozen food established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field must be observed during handling frozen food.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘food additive’ means a substance specified in Article 3(2)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives (OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, pp. 16–33).
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 20.01.2010]
(2) It is permitted to use a food additive in accordance with the requirements provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 12.02.2013, 3 – entry into force 22.02.2013]
(3) [Repealed – RT I, 12.02.2013, 3 – entry into force 01.06.2013]
(4) Food additive that comply with the requirements provided for in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 83, 22.03.2012, pp. 1-295), are permitted in food.
[RT I, 12.02.2013, 3 – entry into force 22.02.2013]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘artificial flavourings’ means products specified in Article 3(2)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods and amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91, Regulations (EC) No 2232/96 and (EC) No 110/2008 and Directive 2000/13/EC.
[RT I, 12.02.2013, 3 – entry into force 22.02.2013]
(11) Artificial flavourings may be used in food in accordance with the requirements provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 12.02.2013, 3 – entry into force 22.02.2013]
(2) The competent authority within the meaning of Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2065/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on smoke flavourings used or intended for use in or on foods (OJ L 309, 26.11.2003, pp. 1–8) is the Veterinary and Food Board.
[RT I, 19.01.2011, 21 – entry into force 20.01.2011]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘processing aid’ means substances specified in Article 3(2)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 12.02.2013, 3 – entry into force 22.02.2013]
(2) The requirements for processing aids, the conditions and methods of use thereof and the permitted levels of residue content in food will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(1) ‘Contaminant’ means a substance which is present in food as a result of substances used in the primary production, or which is present during handling or as a result of environmental contamination, and which may endanger human health or harm the properties of the food.
(2) [Repealed – RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
(3) The minister responsible for the field may establish the list and levels of permitted contaminants by food groups. The minister responsible for the field will establish the procedure for the regulation of the state supervision of contaminants in order to ensure the safety of food of animal origin.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) It is prohibited to counterfeit food and handle counterfeit food.
(2) The following is deemed to be counterfeiting:
1) alteration of the composition of food without alteration of the labelling;
2) alteration of labelling without alteration of the actual composition;
3) addition of other substances in any manner to food or processing food with such substances in order to conceal the lower value of the food or non-compliance of the food with the requirements;
31) non-compliant use of a health mark or identification mark on the labelling;
4) handling during which the business name or trade mark of another undertaking is used without the permission of the undertaking.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) Handling must be carried out in compliance with the requirements provided for in this Act and other legislation and during handling it must be ensured that the food which is obtained complies with the requirements.
(2) During handling it is prohibited to use substances or materials whose composition or effect on humans is not known, which do not conform to the requirements provided for in legislation, or the use of which is prohibited by legislation.
(3) It is prohibited to store substances and materials which may cause the contamination of food or harm the properties thereof at handling sites.
(4) If, as a result of examinations, the harmfulness of a treatment or substance to human health becomes evident, it will be prohibited to use it upon handling food. The list of treatments and substances that are prohibited upon handling food will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field. Special handling requirements for treatments and substances which may be used upon handling food in certain events and the requirements that set out the permitted events and the manner of use of such treatments and substances will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
21.10.2014 09:29
Correction of a mistake - an obvious inaccuracy has been corrected: in the text of subsection 21 (4) the words ‘Government of the Republic’ have been replaced with ‘minister responsible for the field’ based on subsection 10 (4) of the Riigi Teataja Act.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) An operator is responsible for the compliance of handled food and handling with the requirements, and is required to seize every opportunity in order to ensure such compliance.
(2) An operator must observe the storage requirements which are set out on the packaging or in the accompanying document of food and which are determined by the producer or processor, including the manufacturer or packager of the food, on the basis of shelf life tests or the storage requirements for food established by the minister responsible for the field. The minister responsible for the field will establish storage requirements per food group based on the potential hazard to human health caused by the food. The procedure for conducting self life tests will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(3) An operator must not accept, use during handling or distribute food that does not comply with the requirements.
(4) It is prohibited to use food of animal origin if the animal has been treated with medicinal products or substances having a hormonal action and the withdrawal period after use thereof has not ended.
[RT I 2008, 16, 115 – entry into force 21.04.2008]
(5) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(6) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(7) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
An operator must guarantee the traceability of food in accordance with Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) Upon preparation of food, except preparation of food marketed only on the premises of mass caterers, an operator must observe the requirements of the technical description of food which is selected or prepared by the operator.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, ‘technical description of food’ means any document which describes the properties and preparation of the food and contains the following information concerning the food:
1) the name;
2) the properties of the finished product and of the ingredients thereof;
3) the manufacturing process used, above all, the aspects which are significant for food safety;
4) the methods of assessment of compliance with the requirements;
5) the description of the packaging and food information.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(3) A technical description prepared by an operator and amendments made thereto will be prepared as a document which sets out, in addition to the information specified in subsection (2) of this section, the date of its preparation and the name and official title of the person who approved the document by their signature.
[RT I 2001, 93, 566 – entry into force 01.01.2002]
(1) The technical conditions and organisation of work of establishments and businesses must enable observance of the requirements provided for in this Act and other legislation.
(2) If circumstances become evident which bring about or may bring about changes to these conditions to an extent that means that food safety is not ensured, an operator must promptly notify the Veterinary and Food Board thereof.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(3) The building and room used for storing the non-compliant food of animal origin of an enterprise or business specified in clause 8 (1) 8) or 9) of this Act must comply with the following requirements:
1) depending on the type and kind of the stored food of animal origin, the building must be suitable for storing such food of animal origin and comply with the requirements established in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and in other relevant food-related legislation;
2) the building has, depending on the type and kind of the stored food of animal origin, a separate room for storing the non-compliant food of animal origin;
3) the building has a separate room for veterinary supervision officials and is equipped with means of communication such as the telephone and fax;
4) the building is located in a closed territory that has an entrance and exit that is permanently controlled by the person in charge or, in the case of a warehouse located in a free zone, the entire zone is closed and under permanent customs control.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) Non-compliant food of animal origin may be stored in the same room with compliant food of animal origin only if the non-compliant food of animal origin is kept separately in the locked part of the same room.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘food hygiene’ means the measures and conditions specified in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(2) Food hygiene requirements are established by Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) The Ministry of Agriculture will establish food hygiene requirements in issues that, in accordance with the Regulations specified in subsection (2) of this section, the member states have the right to decide, or other relevant requirements. Food hygiene requirements or other relevant requirements may also establish the small quantities specified in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and Article 1 Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and to determine local regions.
(4) The Veterinary and Food Board is the competent agency within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(5) In following the food hygiene requirements, operators may take guidance from the guidelines for good hygiene practice (hereinafter guidelines) compiled by an operator, association of operators or any other interested party in cooperation with other relevant parties. The guidelines will be prepared taking account of the standards of Codex Alimentarius that is the common standards programme of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Organisation and of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
(6) The conformity of the recommendations provided by the guidelines referred to in subsection (5) of this section to food hygiene requirements will be assessed by the Veterinary and Food Board who has the right to propose amendments to the guidelines.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(7) The person specified in subsection (5) of this section will submit the guidelines which have been declared to comply with the requirements set out in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council to the Ministry of Agriculture who will forward it, in the events specified in the Regulation, to the European Commission.
(1) An operator is required to explain the handling requirements arising from legislation to an employee and verify compliance therewith.
(2) An employee who handles food must have professional knowledge and know and observe the food hygiene requirements.
(3) An employee who does not directly handle food must know and adhere to the food hygiene requirements to the extent necessary to ensure food safety.
(4) An operator must organise the supervision of an employee with regard to food hygiene.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) An employee who handles food and an employee who, upon performance of their duties, comes into contact with food or the handling equipment thereof, as well as an employee who cleans the rooms in which foodstuffs are handled, must undergo medical examination prior to the commencement of an employment relationship and, depending on the results of risk assessment, regularly during the employment relationship in order to detect any infectious diseases and to prevent the spread thereof and they must hold a written health certificate in accordance with the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act.
[RT I 2007, 1, 1 – entry into force 01.02.2007]
(2) An operator must require that employees who handle food and employees who, upon performance of their duties, come into contact with food or the handling equipment thereof perform the duties specified in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(4) An employee who does not hold a valid health certificate, who may be a carrier of infection or parasitic disease or who has other symptoms or illnesses which are harmful in terms of food safety will not be permitted to work in a position where they may contaminate food.
(5) The requirements concerning the health certificate provided for in subsections (1), (2) and (4) of this section do not apply to producers to whom the requirements of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council apply, and to producers to whom the requirements of Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council do not apply, unless otherwise provided by other Acts or legislation established on the basis thereof.
(1) An operator must prepare a plan concerning food hygiene training for the employees of the establishment or business who come into contact with food, setting out the purposes, scope, timetable and procedure of the training.
(2) On the basis of a training plan, an operator must periodically organise food hygiene training that corresponds to the duties of the employees and assess the knowledge of the employees concerning food hygiene.
(3) The execution of the training plan will be monitored by the law enforcement authority that has the right to make proposals for amendment of the training plan and give explanations concerning drawing up the plan.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) The requirements provided for in subsections (1)-(3) of this section do not apply to producers to whom the requirements of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council apply, or to producers to whom the requirements of Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council do not apply, unless otherwise provided by other Acts or legislation established on the basis thereof.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) In order to clean and disinfect an establishment or business and its territory, premises, machinery and handling equipment and in order to conduct pest control, an operator must use only such equipment, substances and methods which do not cause the contamination of food, harm the properties thereof or endanger human health. Cleaning products, disinfectants and pest control products must be used in accordance with the instructions prepared by the producer of such products.
(2) [Repealed – RT I 2001, 93, 566 – entry into force 01.01.2002]
(1) Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food must not cause the contamination of food, harm the properties thereof or endanger human health and must comply with the requirements for materials and articles permitted to come into contact with food.
(2) The requirements for materials and articles permitted to come into contact with food, the special requirements for the groups thereof and the methods for testing the safety of such materials and articles will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(3) [Repealed – RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) [Repealed – RT I, 29.06.2014, 1 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) An establishment or business must have an adequate supply of water which complies with the requirements for drinking water established on the basis of the Water Act (hereinafter drinking water).
(2) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) An operator is required to verify the compliance of food and the handling thereof with the requirements (hereinafter self-checkin g) and to implement measures in order to ensure such verification. Measures to be implemented will be described in a self-check plan. Self-checking together with a self-check plan drawn up in writing forms a self-checking system.
(2) An operator will determine the stages of handling which are significant in terms of food safety, including critical control points, monitor them and register the results of the monitoring in accordance with the requirements of Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(4) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(5) [Repealed – RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
(51) In the event of analysis of samples collected in the framework of self-checking, a relevant quality system will be applied.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
(6) [Repealed – RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(1) A declaration of conformity that certifies the compliance of food with the requirements is a written document issued by the producer of the food that confirms that the food complies with the requirements provided for in legislation or other requirements. A declaration of conformity will be issued at the request of an operator who further handles the food.
(2) A declaration of conformity will confirm that the food complies with the requirements specified in the declaration, provided that the requirements set out by the issuer are observed during further handling.
(3) A declaration of conformity will be issued for a specified period for continual preparation of the same food or with regard to a lot. An amount of food that is produced, prepared or packed under the same conditions and with the same name and properties is deemed to be a lot. Each lot must have specific identification.
(4) If a declaration of conformity is issued for the continual preparation of food, the lots included therein will be related to the declaration of conformity. A declaration of conformity issued with regard to a lot must include a reference to the specific lot.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
A declaration of conformity must contain the following information:
1) the name of the issuer, the address of the seat of the issuer and the mark of identification of the declaration of conformity;
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
2) the name of the food and other information necessary for determination of the food;
3) a reference to the requirements to which conformity is proved;
4) the date of issue and the name, signature and position of the person who issued the declaration of conformity.
(1) Certification is a procedure which is organised by an independent third party (hereinafter certification body) on the basis of a written application from an operator in order to prove the compliance of the quality system of the operator or the compliance of a specific handled food with the requirements, in respect of which the application for proof of conformity is made.
(2) Certification is optional and an operator who applies for certification will bear the expenses of certification.
(3) If certification provides a positive result, the certification body will issue a certificate of conformity that confirms the compliance of the food or the quality system with the requirements.
(1) ‘Food information’ means information specified in Article 2(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, pp. 18–63).
(2) Food information must be true, comply with requirements established by legislation and must not mislead the handler or the consumer. Food which is sold or transferred in some other manner to the consumers must be labelled in a manner that ensures the necessary information about the food.
(3) In the case of food sold or otherwise delivered to the consumer in Estonia, food information is provided in Estonian, unless the information provided in another language or in another manner is understandable to the consumer.
(4) The requirements for provision of food information per food group or treatment will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(5) For the purpose of implementation of Articles 44(1)(b) and 44(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the requirements for provision of food information on non-prepackaged food will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(6) The requirements for identification of a lot will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
[Repealed – RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(1) The alteration of labelling without the alteration of the actual properties of food is deemed to be adulteration of the food, except for the specification of labelling or the correction of misleading labelling.
(2) It is prohibited to repackage food if the ‘use by’ date or the date of minimum durability is indicated on the sales packaging of the food. The date on the sales packaging must not be altered and the food must not be marketed after the ‘use by’ date has expired.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘introduction of food to Estonia’ means the activities specified in Article 2(16) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules (OJ L 165, 30.04.2004, pp. 1–141).
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(2) For the purposes of this Act, ‘import’ means an activity specified in Article 2(15) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) For the purposes of this Act, ‘export’ means an activity specified in Article 161 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, pp. 1–50).
(31) For the purposes of this Act, ‘official control’ means the activity specified in Article 2(1) of Regulation No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, including the exercising of state supervision as well as conducting other administrative proceedings in the course of which the compliance of food and the handling of food with the requirements is verified.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) The provisions of this Act, except subsection 43 (1) of this Act, apply only to food not specified in subsection 8 (1) of the Veterinary Supervision over Trade in, Import and Export of Animals and Animal Products Act.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) Conveyance of food to Estonia and export of food is permitted through a border inspection post that is open to international traffic on the basis of the State Borders Act.
(2) The Veterinary and Food Board will, on the basis of a person’s application, determine the border inspection post through which the person is permitted to import food and the place of performing official control over imported food, provided that a competent authority or a Member State has the right to determine these in accordance with the relevant legislation of the European Union. The point of official control must be located in a place accepted by the Tax and Customs Board.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(3) The list of border inspection posts and points of official control over imported food will be published on the website of the Veterinary and Food Board.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) In order to make a decision to include a border inspection post or a point of official control over imported food specified in subsection (2) of this section in the list specified in subsection (3) of this section, the Veterinary and Food Board will assess its compliance on the basis of the information submitted by the applicant as well as on the spot at the border inspection post or in the point of official control.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(5) If a border inspection post or a point of official control over imported food complies with the requirements established in the relevant legislation of the European Union, the Veterinary and Food Board will make a decision to include it in the list of border inspection posts and points of official control over imported food.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(6) If a border inspection post or a point of official control over imported food does not comply with the requirements established in the relevant legislation of the European Union, the Veterinary and Food Board will make a decision to refuse to include it in the list of border inspection posts and points of official control over imported food.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(7) The Veterinary and Food Board will make a decision specified in subsections (5) and (6) of this section within 30 working days after the receipt of an application for inclusion of a border inspection post or point of official control over imported food in the list specified in subsection (3) of this section.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(8) The Veterinary and Food Board will make a decision to exclude a border inspection post or a point of official control over imported food from the list of border inspection posts and points of official control over imported food if:
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
1) it does not comply with the requirements established in the relevant legislation of the European Union, or
2) a person submits a respective application.
(9) The substantive requirements for applications for inclusion of a border inspection post and a point of official control over imported food specified in subsection (2) of this section in the list of border inspection posts and points of official control over imported food, a list of documents enclosed with the application and the procedure for processing applications will be established by the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) Upon introduction of food to Estonia, the Veterinary and Food Board will perform official control solely over the compliance of the imported food with the requirements.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) If there is information which gives reason to suspect that the food is non-compliant or hazardous or in the event of another reasoned need, official control over food will be performed at a border inspection post.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(3) In the event specified in subsection (2) of this section, the Tax and Customs Board will check the documents accompanying food at the border inspection post. The Tax and Customs Board will inform the Veterinary and Food Board about the results of the check.
(4) In the event of export of food of Estonian origin, the Veterinary and Food Board will issue a document certifying the compliance of the food, provided that the submission of such document is requested in a state located outside the customs territory of the European Union.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
(1) The Veterinary and Food Board will be informed of the import of food over which official control must be performed at a border inspection post or at the point of official control over imported food in accordance with the relevant legislation of the European Union at least 24 hours before the presentation of the food for official control.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) If no form for notification of import is provided for in the relevant legislation of the European Union, the sample form of notification published on the website of the Veterinary and Food Board will be used for notification.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) The Veterinary and Food Board exercises state and administrative supervision in all spheres of handling and over the materials and articles specified in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(2) In addition to the Veterinary and Food Board, the Consumer Protection Board exercises state supervision over compliance with the requirements for submission of information and the correctness of submitted information in the retail food business.
(3) The Veterinary and Food Board cooperates with the rural municipality or city government in forwarding information concerning events involving handling food which take place within the territory of the rural municipality or city.
(4) Supervision is exercised in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption (OJ L 139, 30.04.2004, pp. 206–319), Regulation No 882/2004 and other relevant legislation governing supervision.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(5) In coordination with relevant ministers, the minister responsible for the field will designate the competent authorities responsible for the implementation of the legislation of the European Union, the liaison bodies responsible for coordinating cooperation with the Member States in the field of supervision and other similar authorities, and will inform the European Commission of such authorities if designation of such authorities is prescribed by the legislation of the European Union.
(6) The Veterinary and Food Board is the authority coordinating the preparation of the contingency plan specified in Article 13 and of the multi-annual control plan specified in Article 41 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Veterinary and Food Board will submit the multi-annual control plan and a report on implementation of the plan to the European Commission in accordance with the procedure provided in the Regulation specified above.
(7) The Government of the Republic may establish the procedure for cooperation of law enforcement authorities in preparation of the contingency plan and multi-annual control plan specified in subsection (6) of this section.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) The law enforcement authority may, for the purpose of exercising the state supervision provided for in this Act, take special measures of state supervision provided for in §§ 30, 31, 32, 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53 of the Law Enforcement Act on the grounds and in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Law Enforcement Act.
(2) An expert of the European Commission has the rights specified in subsection (1) of this section upon verification of the compliance of the requirements provided for in the legislation of the European Union on the conditions and in accordance with the procedure established in the legislation of the European Union.
(3) When non-compliant food is detected, the law enforcement authority will take the measures provided for in Article 54 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(4) When non-compliant food is introduced from a third country to Estonia, the law enforcement authority will take the measures provided for in Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) The Estonian liaison body of the rapid alert system referred to in Article 50 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council is the Veterinary and Food Board.
(2) If it has been established in the course of state supervision that the food is directly or indirectly dangerous for human health and it may be placed on the market in any other Member State of the European Union, or if such food has been discovered on import of goods, the Tax and Customs Board and the Consumer Protection Board will inform of the danger the Veterinary and Food Board who will notify the European Commission through the rapid alert system specified in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) If the European Commission has communicated through the rapid alert system referred to in subsection (1) of this section a safety message to the Veterinary and Food Board concerning dangerous food identified in any member state of the European Union, the Veterinary and Food Board will forward this notice to the Tax and Customs Board, the Consumer Protection Board and the Health Protection Inspectorate. The law enforcement authorities will investigate the possible danger in Estonia and inform the Veterinary and Food Board about the results.
(4) The Veterinary and Food Board is the liaison body in supervision issues within the meaning of Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) An official of the law enforcement authority has, upon presentation of their identification, the right to verify:
1) the state and use of the establishment or business and its territory, premises, machinery, equipment and means of transport;
2) food ingredients, processing aids and other substances used to prepare food;
3) food, including during the manufacturing process;
4) materials and articles intended to come into contact with food;
5) the equipment, substances and methods of cleaning, disinfection and pest control;
6) food handling, including the methods for processing, manufacturing and storage of food;
7) provision of food information.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(2) In addition to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the law enforcement authority has the right to:
1) verify, regardless of whether the medical examination specified in subsection 28 (1) of this Act has been undergone, the compliance with hygiene requirements of persons who in the course of their duties come into direct or indirect contact with the items referred to in clauses 2)–5) of subsection (1) of this section, including personal cleanliness and clothing, and to assess their knowledge of hygiene;
2) verify the compliance with the requirement to perform self-checking and to examine the results of self-checking and the results of measurements performed by the measuring instruments installed in the establishment or business, as well as to verify the correctness thereof using the measuring instruments of the law enforcement authority.
(3) If only meat is processed in an establishment or business, the operator is required to provide a workstation, equipment and clothing required for exercising supervision.
(4) If there is reason to believe that certain food may be harmful to human health or the environment, the head of the appropriate law enforcement authority will suspend the handling of such food. The decision will be drawn up as a directive of the head of the law enforcement authority, setting out the name of the food and, if necessary, information on the lot concerned, and other information which allows for the identification of the harmful food and the spheres of handling wherein handling must be suspended. The head of the law enforcement authority will inform the public of the directive immediately and the information will be published on the website of the law enforcement authority.
(5) The head of the law enforcement authority will immediately forward their directive to the minister responsible for the field who will decide the suspension of the handling of the food under the circumstances and on the conditions set out in the directive and establish a corresponding regulation. In addition to the information set out in the directive of the head of the law enforcement authority, the regulation will set out the time limit of the restriction, the obligations of law enforcement authorities and persons, and the manner of eliminating the danger. The directive of the head of the law enforcement authority will remain in force until entry into force of the regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(6) While a restriction on handling is in force, the appropriate law enforcement authorities will, in cooperation with each other, determine the extent of danger, take necessary measures and, after elimination of the danger, the head of the law enforcement authority who issued the directive will make a written proposal to the minister responsible for the field to terminate the suspension of handling and the minister responsible for the field will establish a corresponding regulation.
(7) If residential premises are also used as commercial premises, the law enforcement authority may inspect these during the working or opening hours without the authorisation of an administrative court specified in subsection 51 (2) of the Law Enforcement Act.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) ‘Food supervision fee’ (hereinafter supervision fee) means an amount paid at the rate established in this Act in accordance with the principles set out in Articles 27-29 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council for state supervision steps taken in relation to the assessment of the compliance of food handling and steps taken in proceedings concerning the granting of an activity or another licence for handling food, including steps taken in proceedings of granting authorisation to import food (hereinafter jointly supervision step). The supervision fee must also be paid for taking a supervision step relating to materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) In the event of supervision steps relating to food, the supervision fee must be paid only for taking a supervision step relating to food not specified in § 351 of the Veterinary Activities Organisation Act and for taking a supervision step in a retail establishment or business.
[RT I 2010, 72, 542 – entry into force 15.10.2010]
(3) No supervision fee must be paid for taking a supervision step relating to primary production.
[RT I 2010, 72, 542 – entry into force 15.10.2010]
(4) No supervision fee must be paid by an educational establishment, social establishment or health service provider financed from the budget of a state authority or local authority for taking a supervision step relating to inter-establishment catering.
[RT I 2010, 72, 542 – entry into force 15.10.2010]
(1) A person required to pay the supervision fee (hereinafter obligated person) is a person with regard to whom a supervision step specified in § 491 of this Act has been taken.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) Multiple obligated persons bear joint and several liability for payment of the supervision fee for a joint supervision step.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
(1) The staff and administrative expenses of the Veterinary and Food Board relating to the taking of supervision steps specified in § 491 of this Act will serve as the basis for calculation of the rate of the supervision fee.
(2) The supervision fee is charged as an hourly fee for the supervision steps taken in accordance with § 491 of this Act.
(3) The obligated person must pay an hourly fee for the time spent on taking a supervision step, but not for more than eight hours per supervision step. The time spent by the official is calculated with the accuracy of one hour and each commenced hour is deemed the next full hour. The time spent on driving to the place of taking the supervision steps is not taken into account.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) The rate of the hourly fee is calculated on the basis of the average salary of the official who took the supervisory step and the average administrative expenses related to food supervision steps. Upon calculation of the average salary of the official who took the supervision step, the average wage of the supervisory officials working in the local agencies of the Veterinary and Food Board and at border inspection posts in the calendar year preceding the taking of the supervision step is taken into account. Upon calculation of the average administrative expenses relating to food supervision steps, the average expenses of the Veterinary and Food Board specified in Point 2 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council per supervisory official in the calendar year preceding the taking of the supervision steps is relied on.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(5) The rate of the hourly fee to be charged for taking a supervision step will be established annually by the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(6) In the event of food which, under relevant legislation of the European Union, is subject to supervision at a border inspection post or in the point of official control over imported food, the obligated person must pay for a supervision step at an hourly rate per one tariff classification on one customs declaration, plus the price of necessary analyses.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(7) In the course of taking a food supervision step, the Veterinary and Food Board has the right to charge an additional fee for the waiting time of a late consignment and a supervision step taken outside the working time at the request of a person as follows:
1) for the waiting time of a late consignment during the working time, the additional fee is charged as an hourly rate per supervisory official in accordance with subsection (3) of this section;
2) for the waiting time of a late consignment outside the working time and for a supervision step taken outside the working time at the request of a person, the additional fee is charged as a double hourly rate per supervisory official in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(8) The additional fee paid on the basis of subsection (7) of this section is subject to the procedure provided for in § 494 of this Act.
(9) In the event provided for in Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, an obligated person must pay the supervision fee for additional supervision steps as an hourly rate in accordance with subsection (3) of this section. Expenses relating to additional inspection are borne in accordance with subsection 513 (5) of this Act.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) The Veterinary and Food Board will make a decision to collect the supervision fee for food supervision steps taken during the previous calendar month by the fifth date of each calendar month.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) A copy of the decision to collect the supervision fee will be issued to an obligated person against signature or will be sent to the person by mail within five working days as of making the decision.
(3) An obligated person will transfer the supervision fee to the bank account indicated in a decision within ten calendar days as of obtaining the decision to collect the supervision fee. The obligated person has the right to file an inter-authority appeal against a decision of the Veterinary and Food Board in accordance with the procedure provided for in § 51 of this Act.
[RT I, 29.06.2014, 2 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) In the event of food import, an obligated person must pay the supervision fee in the amount specified in a decision to collect the supervision fee, which was submitted by the Veterinary and Food Board before determining the customs approved treatment.
(5) In the event of food import, the Veterinary and Food Board may release an obligated person from payment of the supervision fee before determining the customs approved treatment in the event of a sufficient guarantee and if the obligated person has previously paid the supervision fee in the prescribe amount and by the due date.
(6) The Government of the Republic will establish the procedure for payment, receipt in cash and monitoring of payment of the supervision fee.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
(7) The obligated person will pay the amount specified in a precept made for the collection of the overdue supervision fee within ten working days as of the receipt of the precept.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(8) In the event of failure to comply with a precept issued for the collection of overdue supervision fee within the time limit indicated in the precept, the Veterinary and Food Board will have the right to address an enforcement officer who will collect the overdue supervision fee from the obligated person in accordance with the procedure established in the Code of Enforcement Procedure.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) The overpaid supervision fee will be refunded if the supervision fee paid exceeds the prescribed amount.
(2) An obligated person has the right to apply for the refund of overpaid supervision fee within two years as of the date of the payment of the supervision fee.
(3) To apply for a refund of overpaid supervision fee, an obligated person will submit to the Veterinary and Food Board a relevant written application and a document certifying payment of the supervision fee.
(4) The Veterinary and Food Board will make a decision to refund or to refuse to refund the supervision fee within ten working days as of the receipt of the respective application.
(5) The supervision fee will not be refunded if the person who paid the supervision fee or the person for whom the supervision fee was paid cannot be identified or if the person is not entitled to a refund.
(6) The Government of the Republic will establish the procedure for refund of overpaid supervision fee.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
[Repealed – RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[Repealed – RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[Repealed – RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
[Repealed – RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) Upon inspection of a movable in the course of performance of official control, samples may be taken at the expense of the person. If the inspected movable is no longer fit for ordinary use following the inspection, the cost of the movable or the cost of restoring the movable for ordinary use will not be compensated to the person.
(2) For the purpose of inspection of the compliance of food and the handling thereof, the requirements for taking and analysing samples will be established per food group or determined indicator by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(3) If, according to the results of laboratory analyses, the food or anything else that was subject to analyses does not comply with the requirements, the costs of the analyses carried out and of the analyses of control samples taken from the same lot for further tests will be covered by the person whose sample does not comply with the requirements.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(4) A person has the right to demand that, in addition to a sample specified in subsection (1) of this section, an additional sample that will remain at the disposal of the person be taken at the expense of the person on the same conditions. The person may use the sample for requesting an additional expert opinion at their own expense.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(5) Regardless of whether an additional expert opinion specified in subsection (4) of this section has been requested, the Veterinary and Food Board will, if necessary, take the measures specified in Article 19 or 54 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(1) Samples taken in the course of performance of official control will be analysed at a laboratory authorised to conduct relevant analyses, which complies with the requirements provided for in Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
(2) [Repealed – RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
(3) The Veterinary and Food Board will make the decision on the granting of authorisation to operate as an authorised laboratory within 20 working days as of the receipt of a written application of the laboratory. The decision to grant authorisation to operate as an authorised laboratory will set out the scope of authority.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(4) The requirements for the content of applications for authorisation to operate as authorised laboratory, the list of documents to be annexed to applications and the procedure for processing applications will be established by the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(5) The Veterinary and Food Board may refuse to grant authorisation to operate as an authorised laboratory or revoke the authority if a laboratory does not comply with the requirements provided for in specified in Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(6) A state fee must be paid for reviewing of an application for granting of the initial authorisation for a laboratory in accordance with the rates provided in the State Fees Act.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a state reference laboratory (hereinafter reference laboratory) is the laboratory specified in Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
(2) A reference laboratory is authorised to operate for each community reference laboratory referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
(3) Authority to operate as a reference laboratory will be granted within 20 working days as of the receipt of a written application of the reference laboratory and by a directive of the minister responsible for the field, which will set out the scope of the authority.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
(4) [Repealed – RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
(5) A reference laboratory will operate on government orders submitted by the minister responsible for the field. Fulfilment of the orders will be financed from funds allocated from the state budget to the Ministry of Agriculture.
(6) If a reference laboratory fails to perform its duties in the manner required, the minister responsible for the field has the right to grant a term of up to three months for the elimination of deficiencies. If the deficiencies are not eliminated, authorisation will be revoked in part or in full. During the time prescribed for the elimination of deficiencies, authorisation is deemed to be suspended.
(7) The requirements for the content of applications for authorisation to operate as reference laboratory, the list of documents to be annexed to applications and the procedure for processing applications will be established by the minister responsible for the field.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
(8) A state fee for reviewing an application for initial authorisation to operate as a reference laboratory must be paid at the rates provided in the State Fees Act.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
(1) The commencement of food handling without the authorisation of a supervisory official in an establishment or business that must hold an activity licence for handling food, as well as after any constructional, technological, work organisation or other reorganisations that altered the conditions existing at the time of receipt of an activity licence, as well as food handling in an establishment or business not specified in a notice of economic activities is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units.
(2) The same act, if committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 3200 euros.
(3) An attempted misdemeanour specified in this section is punishable.
[RT I, 12.07.2014, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2015]
(1) Violation of the requirements for food for food is punishable by a fine of up to 200 fine units.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(2) The same act, if committed in a manner that endangers human health or the environment, is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(3) The act specified in subsection (1) of this section, if committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 2600 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 – entry into force 01.01.2011]
(4) The act specified in subsection (2) of this section, if committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 3200 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 – entry into force 01.01.2011]
(1) Violation of the requirements for handling food and materials and articles intended to come into contact with food is punishable by a fine of up to 200 fine units.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(2) The same act, if committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 2000 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 – entry into force 01.01.2011]
(1) Violation of the requirements for provision of food information is punishable by a fine of up to 150 fine units.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(2) The same act if, committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 1300 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 – entry into force 01.01.2011]
(1) Presentation of false information about the composition or properties of food, the content of food additives, contaminants or micro-organisms in food, or other requirements, or presentation of false information in accompanying documents, sales documents or other certification documents is punishable by a fine of up to 250 fine units.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
(2) The same act, if committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 2600 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 – entry into force 01.01.2011]
(1) [Repealed - RT I, 12.07.2014, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2015]
(2) The Veterinary and Food Board or a court may, in accordance with the provisions of § 83 of the Penal Code, apply confiscation of a substance or an object which was the direct object of the commission of a misdemeanour provided for in subsections 532 (2) and (4).
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
(3) The extrajudicial proceedings of the misdemeanours provided for in §§ 531–536 of this Act are conducted by:
1) the Veterinary and Food Board;
2) [Repealed – RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.07.2007]
3) the Consumer Protection Board.
§ 57. – § 62. [Omitted from this text.]
(1) In accordance with § 7 of this Act, a competent supervisory authority will be notified, not later than by 1 November 2006, of an establishment or business where food is handled on 1 July 2006 and which, as of this date is subject to notification and which has not been approved.
(2) An establishment or business that is subject to notification as of 1 July 2006 but has been approved before such date is deemed to be notified in accordance with § 7 of this Act.
(3) An establishment or business which is subject to approval as of 1 July 2006 which has been approved on the basis of and in accordance with the procedure provided by legislation in force until 1 January 2006 is deemed to be approved on the basis of and in accordance with the procedure provided by legislation in force as of 1 January 2006.
(4) A decision of temporary approval made before 1 July 2006 is deemed to be the decision of conditional approval within the meaning of subsection 10 (2) of this Act.
[RT I 2006, 28, 211 – entry into force 01.07.2006]
In the event of an establishment or business specified in Article 2(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the undertaking, whose respective activities have been registered in the register of economic activities on the basis of the Trading Act as of 1 January 2010, will submit information about the group of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food so that it could be registered in the register of economic activities by 1 June 2010.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
A border inspection post or a place of supervision included in the list of border inspection posts and places of supervision over imported food before 1 January 2010 will remain in the list until the Veterinary and Food Board has made a decision to exclude the border inspection post or the place of supervision from the list.
[RT I 2009, 64, 423 – entry into force 01.01.2010]
[RT I, 13.03.2014, 4 – entry into force 01.07.2014]
Places of exercises supervision included in the list of border inspection posts and places of exercising supervision over imported food are considered points of performance of official control.
(1) The Government of the Republic will complete the reorganisation of the work of supervisory authorities under this Act by 1 January 2001.
(2) Until reorganisation, supervisory authorities will perform their current duties, unless otherwise provided by other Acts.
The authority to analyse samples taken in course of supervision granted to a laboratory by a directive of the minister responsible for the field before 1 July 2007 will be valid until granting new authority or refusal to grant it by the Veterinary and Food Board, but not longer than until 1 January 2008.
[RT I 2007, 22, 114 – entry into force 01.04.2007]
The special requirements and procedure for labelling food for particular nutritional uses, including for medical purposes, and for provision of information in another manner, which were established on the basis of the wording of subsection 38 (5) of this Act in force until 13 December 2014 will remain in force until 20 July 2016.
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 – entry into force 13.12.2014]
(1) This Act will enter into force on 1 January 2000, except the provisions delegating authority, which will enter into force at the time provided for in subsection (2) of this section, and § 34 and subsection 52 (2) which will enter into force on 1 January 2002, and subsection 52 (1) which will enter into force on 1 July 2000.
(2) The provisions which delegate authority to issue regulations of the Government of the Republic or ministers and which are contained in this Act will enter into force on the tenth day after the publication of the Act in the Riigi Teataja. A regulation issued on the basis of provisions delegating authority will not be enforced before the entry into force of this Act.
1 Commission Directive 1999/21/EC on dietary foods for special medical purposes (OJ L 91, 07.04.1999, pp. 29–36), amended by Directives 2006/82/EC (OJ L 362, 20.12.2006, pp. 94–96) and 2006/141/EC (OJ L 401, 30.12.2006, pp. 1–33); Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements (OJ L 183, 12.07.2002, pp. 51–57), amended by Directive 2006/37/EC (OJ L 94, 01.04.2006, pp. 32–33) and Regulations (EC) No 1137/2008 (OJ L 311, 21.11.2008, pp. 1–54), No 1170/2009 (OJ L 314, 01.12.2009, pp. 36–42) and No 1161/2011 (OJ L 296, 15.11.2011, pp. 29–30); Commission Directive 2006/141/EC of 22 December 2006 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae and amending Directive 1999/21/EC (OJ L 401, 30.12.2006, pp. 1–33), amended by Regulation (EC) No 1243/2008 (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, pp. 25–27); Directive 2009/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses (OJ L 124, 20.05.2009, pp. 21–29); Directive 2011/91/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on indications or marks identifying the lot to which a foodstuff belongs (OJ L 334, 16.12.2011, pp. 1–5).
[RT I, 09.10.2014, 1 - entry into force 13.12.2014]