Factory Licence
Register and licence your food manufacturing factory under the Factories Act, 1948.
Factory Licence under the Factories Act, 1948 is mandatory for manufacturing establishments employing 10 or more workers with power, or 20 or more workers without power. Food processing units, beverage manufacturing plants, packaging facilities, and large-scale bakeries crossing these thresholds must obtain factory licence from the state Inspector of Factories before commencing operations. The licence ensures compliance with workplace safety, ventilation, lighting, machinery guarding, welfare provisions, and hazardous process regulations. Application requires submission of factory building plan approval, list of machinery, details of manufacturing process, and appointment of qualified safety officers for units with 500+ workers. Factory licence is distinct from FSSAI licence. Both are independently mandatory for licensed food manufacturing units. Complianceer handles factory plan approval, licence application, and annual return filing with state factory inspectorate.
At a glance
- Timeline: 30–60 working days (building plan approval adds time for new factories)
- Government fee: ₹500–₹10,000 (varies by state and factory size)
- Professional fee: Starting from ₹7,999
Who needs this
- Food processing and manufacturing units with 10+ power-operated workers
- Beverage, dairy, and packaged food factories crossing worker thresholds
- Large bakeries and confectionery manufacturing units
- Food packaging and bottling facilities
- Any manufacturing establishment covered under Factories Act definition
Benefits
- Legal authorisation to operate manufacturing facility with employed workers
- Compliance with workplace safety and welfare regulations
- Required for factory insurance and industrial accident claims
- Supports bank loan and credit applications for manufacturing units
- Foundation for compliance with PF, ESI, and labour law obligations
Eligibility
- Manufacturing unit with 10+ workers using power, or 20+ workers without power
- Factory building plan must be approved before licence application
- Pollution Control Board consent must be obtained before factory licence in most states
- Occupier must be a person responsible for management and control of factory affairs
Documents
- Factory licence application (Form 2 under Factories Rules)
- Factory building plan approved by Chief Inspector of Factories
- List of machinery and manufacturing process description
- Occupier and manager details with appointment letters
- Partnership deed / COI
- Pollution Control Board consent (NOC)
- Fire NOC for factory premises
- Layout plan showing machinery placement, exits, and ventilation
FAQs
Factory licence vs FSSAI licence: do I need both?
Yes. Factory licence is under Factories Act for workplace safety. FSSAI licence is under FSS Act for food safety. Food manufacturing units meeting worker thresholds need both independently.
What worker count triggers factory licence requirement?
10 or more workers where manufacturing process uses power, or 20 or more workers without power. Part-time and contract workers may be counted depending on state rules.
Is factory building plan approval mandatory?
Yes for new factories. Existing buildings converting to factory use also require plan approval. Plan must show machinery layout, ventilation, exits, and welfare facilities.