Authority for Justice and Consumer Protection

Apply for approval of a facility or facility for animal by-products

Companies need a license for certain activities when handling animal by-products.

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Handling animal by-products

Detailed description

If you wish to carry out any of the following activities, you will need authorisation from the relevant authority:

  • Processing of animal by-products by pressure sterilization
  • Processing methods or approved alternative methods
  • Incineration of animal by-products and derived products for waste disposal (except in plants with an operating permit)
  • Co-incineration of animal by-products and derived products as waste (except in plants with an operating permit)
  • Use of animal by-products and derived products as fuel
  • Production of pet food
  • Production of organic fertilizers and soil improvers
  • Conversion of animal by-products or derived products into biogas or compost (biogas plants and composting plants)
  • Treatment of collected animal by-products by sorting, cutting, cooling, freezing, salting, removal of hides and skins or specified risk material
  • Storage of derived products
 

Information

Prerequisites

The systems meet the relevant requirements.


The plants meet the requirements for the processing, treatment and disposal of animal by-products.

Documents required

  • Copy of identification document
  • Site plan of the facility or operation
    • In the case of biogas plants and composting plants, the use of external liquid manure must demonstrate sufficient separation between the livestock and the plant.
  • Floor plan of the building or buildings. For biogas and composting plants, only a site plan is required.
  • Pest control plan
  • HACCP concept (pet food establishments or treatment or storage of several categories of animal by-products/derived products)
  • Description of the company

Please note

All animal residues that are not suitable or intended for human consumption are animal by-products. These should be recycled and disposed of safely in such a way that neither the health of humans or animals nor the environment are endangered. For this purpose, animal by-products are divided into three risk categories based on the degree of danger they pose to human and animal health, which must be processed and disposed of differently (Articles 7-10 of Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009).

Deadlines

Apply for authorization before you start your activity.

Procedure

  • You submit the application with the required documents to the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application and documents. If necessary, it will request further documents or information from you.
  • The responsible authority checks on site whether the requirements relevant in each individual case are met.
  • Where appropriate, the competent authority shall consult veterinarians or other experts to assess the authorisation requirements.
  • The responsible authority will decide on your application.
  • You will receive approval and a public approval number for ABT (animal by-products) establishments, which is used for identification in the commercial documents and the mandatory records in commercial transactions.
  • You will receive a fee notice.
  • You pay the fees.

Processing time

There is no statutory processing period.

Fees

Fees apply. The amount of the fees depends on the effort required for processing.

Legal remedies


  • contradiction

  • Administrative lawsuit

Legal basis

Article 24 of Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Authority for Justice and Consumer Protection

Veterinary Affairs

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Keywords: Animal by-products Commercial handling of animal by-products Animal by-products and derived products

Last updated: 04.10.2026