Dairy production

Dairy production is a craft trade (Annex No. 1 to the Trade Licensing Act, field No. 2) focused on the processing of milk and the production of dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt, curd, butter and cream. It requires proof of a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 and meeting the general conditions under Section 6 (in conjunction with Sections 7 and 8).

Examples of activities

• production of natural and ripened cheeses
• production of yoghurts and fermented milk drinks
• production of butter and cream
• production of curd and buttermilk
• pasteurisation and packaging of drinking milk
• production of dried and condensed milk

What the trade is and what it is for

Dairy production is a craft trade (Annex No. 1 to the Trade Licensing Act, field No. 2) that allows you to process milk and produce dairy products. This authorisation covers the production of cheese, yoghurt, curd, butter, cream, fermented dairy products and the treatment and packaging of drinking milk itself. It is a classic food trade for which the law insists on proof of a professional qualification, because the quality and health safety of dairy products directly affects the consumer’s health.

The authorisation is needed by a farmer who wants to process their own milk into cheese and sell it, by a small craft dairy and by a larger production operation. If, on the other hand, you only produce milk as a farmer and supply it raw for further processing, this is primary agricultural production, not a trade.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

Dairy production covers in particular:

• the production of natural, processed and ripened cheeses,
• the production of yoghurts, kefirs and fermented milk drinks,
• the production of butter, cream, curd and buttermilk,
• the treatment, pasteurisation, homogenisation and packaging of drinking milk,
• the production of dried and condensed milk and dairy semi-products.

Where the boundaries lie. The mere primary production of milk (milking and supplying raw milk) is an agricultural activity, not a trade. The production of ice cream or confectionery creams based on milk falls rather under the Bakery and confectionery trade (a craft trade). The production of food that does not contain milk as the main raw material belongs to the unqualified trade Production of food and starch products. If you are unsure about the classification, verify the specific content with your Trade Licensing Office.

Note: in addition to the trade authorisation, as a food producer you must also meet hygiene and veterinary regulations and, as a rule, register with the State Veterinary Administration. These obligations exist over and above the Trade Licensing Act.

Statutory conditions for obtaining the trade

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. For a Czech citizen, the office verifies the clean criminal record itself by an extract from the Criminal Records Register; it is undermined by a final conviction for an intentional criminal offence to an unconditional custodial sentence, or for an intentional criminal offence committed in connection with business activity. In addition, you must not be barred from carrying on the trade by any of the obstacles under Section 8 (for example a ban on activity imposed by a court or administrative authority, or the ongoing effects of a decision on bankruptcy).

Because this is a craft trade, you additionally prove a professional qualification as a special condition for carrying on a trade (Section 7). You prove it by one of the routes under Section 21:

• an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education,
• a school-leaving (maturita) certificate in the relevant field,
• a diploma from a higher vocational school in the relevant field,
• a university diploma in the relevant area of study programmes,
• a document on the recognition of professional qualification, or
• verification of attainment of full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

If you do not have exactly matching education, you will use the substitute documents under Section 22: education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving certificate or higher vocational education) supplemented by one year of practice in the field; university education in a related area does not require practice; retraining at an accredited facility supplemented by one year of practice; or six years of practice in the field even without a document on education.

You do not necessarily have to have the qualification in person. Under Section 11 you may carry on the trade through a responsible representative – a natural person in a contractual relationship who meets the general and professional conditions on your behalf. One person may be a representative for no more than four entrepreneurs, and you notify their appointment (and the termination of the office) to the office within 15 days.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

1. Prepare the documents – identity document, proof of professional qualification (Section 21 or Section 22) and proof of the legal title to use the registered office.
2. Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF). On it you simultaneously arrange registration for income tax, notification to the social security administration and to the health insurance company.
3. Submit the notification. In person at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or via a Czech POINT contact point.
4. Pay the administrative fee – CZK 1,000 for the first notification of the trade, or CZK 800 for electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz.
5. Start doing business. The trade authorisation arises as early as the day of notification (Section 10). The office issues the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days of the date of delivery of a flawless notification.

You will find the detailed universal procedure in the guide how to start a trade.

Documents and fees

• Identity document (identity card or passport).
• Proof of professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving certificate, diploma, recognition of qualification, professional qualification, or proof of practice).
• Proof of the registered office (consent of the property owner).
• Where applicable, the declaration of the responsible representative, if you prove the qualification through them.
• Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (notification in person) / CZK 800 (electronically via rzp.gov.cz).
• Deadline: registration and extract within 5 working days.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an apprenticeship directly in the field for dairy production?

You do not have to. An apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving certificate or diploma in the relevant field is enough (Section 21), but a related field with one year of practice, retraining with a year of practice, or six years of practice in the field without a document on education is also recognised (Section 22).

Can I produce cheese if I do not have the qualification at all?

Yes, if you appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification and the general conditions on your behalf and is in a contractual relationship with you.

Is a health certificate or liability insurance needed?

The Trade Licensing Act does not require medical fitness or liability insurance for dairy production. However, hygiene regulations separately impose a health certificate for workers when working with food – verify them with the regional public health authority.

Is the trade authorisation enough for me to start production?

Not entirely. In addition to the trade, as a producer of dairy products you must, as a rule, register with the State Veterinary Administration and meet the hygiene and veterinary requirements for the establishment.

How much will I pay and how long does it take?

The fee is CZK 1,000 in person, or CZK 800 electronically. The authorisation arises on the day of notification and you receive the extract within 5 working days.

Sources

• Database of regulated activities of the Ministry of Education – Dairy production
• Act No. 455/1991 Coll., the Trade Licensing Act
• Ministry of Industry and Trade