Question:
My company is planning to invest in an industrial alcohol production plant with a projected capacity of 3 million liters per year. I would like to understand the current legal regulations regarding the application for a license for this scale. Specifically, what conditions must the enterprise meet in terms of facilities and personnel? What documents are included in the license application file and which authority has the power to process it? What is the sequence of implementation and the appraisal timeframe according to the latest regulations?
Answer:
Concept:
Industrial alcohol production refers to the activity of producing alcohol using industrial machinery lines, equipment, and technological processes. For a scale of 03 million liters per year or more, this is a conditional business activity requiring traders to be granted an Industrial Alcohol Production License by a competent state authority to ensure standards for food safety, environmental protection, and product quality.
1.Conditions for industrial alcohol production
To be licensed for industrial alcohol production, enterprises must satisfy the conditions stipulated in Article 8 of Decree 105/2017/ND-CP (amended by Decree 17/2020/ND-CP). The conditions include:
- Being an enterprise established under the law;
- Having machinery lines, equipment, and technological processes suitable for the projected production scale;
- Ensuring food safety and environmental protection conditions;
- Complying with regulations on alcohol product labeling and having a team of technical staff with professional qualifications suitable for the production industry.
Legal basis: Article 8 of Decree 105/2017/ND-CP (amended by Decree 17/2020/ND-CP).
2.Application file for the Industrial Alcohol Production License
The dossier includes:
- An application form using Form No. 01 (Decree 105/2017/ND-CP);
- A copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate;
- A copy of the product self-declaration or equivalent food safety documents;
- A copy of the Certificate of food safety eligibility or international certificates such as ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, BRC, FSSC 22000; a copy of environmental protection documents;
- A list of goods names and product labels;
- Copies of diplomas, professional certificates, and the appointment decision or labor contract of technical staff.
Legal basis: Clause 1 and Clause 2, Section I, Part B of Appendix IV issued with Decree 146/2025/ND-CP
3.Licensing authority and procedures
- Regarding authority:according to Article 20 of Decree 146/2025/ND-CP and Point a, Clause 1, Article 25 of Decree 105/2017/ND-CP, the licensing for a scale of 03 million liters per year or more is performed by the Provincial People's Committee.
Regarding procedures: according to Clause 2, Section I, Part B of Appendix IV of Decree 146/2025/ND-CP, traders submit applications directly, by post, or online. Within 03 working days, the licensing authority must request supplements if the file is invalid. Within 15 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid file, the competent authority shall appraise and issue the license. In case of refusal, a written response stating the reasons must be provided.
Consultation reference: Investment consulting services
