Apply for a Certificate of Acceptability
If you intend to manufacture, store, distribute, prepare, transport or sell any kind of foodstuff intended for public consumption then you must apply for a Certificate of Acceptability (CoA).
How to apply
Please note
The certificate must be in the name of the owner of the business, or the premises on which the business is being conducted. You will still need to
apply for a business licence if you prepare meals.
To apply for a CoA you need to register as a Business Partner. A business partner (BP) number is a 10 digit number that is used by the City to identify an individual or an organisation. The number is located in the top right corner of a City rates account, under the tax invoice and account numbers.
You can create a BP Number for yourself or for an organisation
online via e-Services.
To apply for a CoA, follow the steps below:
Step 1: If you have not done so already, you will need to
register for e-Services.
Step 2: Once you have registered, select Service Activation and activate the Environmental Health option. It will take ±5 hours for the service to be activated on your profile, after which you will be able to apply for a CoA.
Download the
FAQs document for more information.
You will need to upload the following documents:
- A copy of the identity document of the person in charge of the premises; or
- in the case of a proxy, their ID and a letter of authorisation.
- Where food is prepared or sold from a brick and mortar structure, you will need to submit the following documents during your application process:
A simple hand drawn layout plan or a copy of the approved building plan of the premises, drawn to 1: 50 scale (mandatory requirement for all formal food premises). Please indicate the designation of various areas and position of all equipment.
Step 3: The standard processing time is ten working days provided that all required documentation has been provided to the City. If your application is accepted, your certificate will be emailed to you and original certificates can be collected. Collection of certification is by appointment with the case processor that handled your application.
Your application will be assessed to see if special zoning permission is required, if so, your application will be rejected and you will be required to present the proof of zoning when you apply again.
If your zoning is in order an Environmental Health Practitioner will visit the premises to assess, among others:
- structural design and construction of the premises
- food safety practices
- waste disposal / pest control management and overall hygiene as specified in the regulations.
Dogs in restaurants
The National Department of Health has published Regulation R638 that governs General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, which indicates that, except for a guide or service dog, an animal may not be permitted in a room or area where food is handled. However, a person in charge of a food premises may
apply for an exemption from the regulation to allow dogs on the premises.
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