The Sanitary Regulation Agency (ARSA) has approved a new regulatory framework establishing recovery fees and requirements for obtaining the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certificate for the national processed food and beverage industry. This certificate is a key element in ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of products manufactured in the country.
Scope and Obligated Parties
The regulation applies to all industries, establishments, and processing plants of processed food and beverages operating in Honduras. Each establishment must obtain its own GMP certificate, even when a single owner operates multiple plants or facilities.
Businesses registered under the ARSA Entrepreneurs Program are exempt from this requirement and will continue to be regulated under the applicable sanitary framework.
Entry into Force and Implementation Timeline
The regulation enters into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette (La Gaceta). From that moment, several key deadlines apply:
- Deadlines for ARSA: ARSA has 60 days from publication to issue the protocols, guidelines, and internal regulations necessary to implement the GMP system.
- Already Licensed Establishments: Companies with an existing sanitary license must apply for their GMP certificate within a maximum period of 12 months.
- New Establishments: Businesses applying for a sanitary license for the first time will also have 12 months to obtain their initial GMP certificate.
- Consequences after 24 Months: After 24 months, ARSA will not renew sanitary licenses of establishments that have not submitted a GMP certification application.
Evaluation Criteria and Certificate Validity
The GMP certificate will be valid for two years. To obtain or renew it, establishments must meet minimum compliance thresholds:
- 60% compliance for initial certification
- 81% compliance for renewal
These thresholds support the gradual implementation of the regulatory framework.
Sanctions for Non-Compliance
If an establishment fails to obtain the certificate after exhausting the time granted to correct non-conformities and receives a negative resolution, ARSA will suspend the sanitary license. This results in the immediate cessation of operations and may trigger additional administrative sanctions.
Recovery Fees
| Category | Resolution Time (Business Days) | Recovery Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | 60 | 7/16 of average minimum wages |
| Category I | 90 | 3/18 of average minimum wages |
| Category II | 60 | 1 1/8 of average minimum wages |
| Category II | 90 | 1 average minimum wage |
| Category III | 60 | 1 2/3 of average minimum wages |
| Category III | 90 | 1 1/2 of average minimum wages |
| Category IV | 60 | 2 3/4 of average minimum wages |
| Category IV | 90 | 2 1/2 of average minimum wages |
Note: The categories listed above are subject to future guidelines to be issued by ARSA, as the criteria for their determination have not yet been defined.
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