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Selling kitchenware and food contact articles in Singapore

In Singapore, food contact articles that need no electricity, such as plates, cups, pots, pans and water bottles, are regulated by the Singapore Food Agency under the Sale of Food Act 1973 and the Food Regulations. Importers register with SFA and take a permit per consignment. Electric kitchen appliances fall to the Consumer Product Safety Office instead.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Food contact articles
Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Main texts
Sale of Food Act 1973; Food Regulations
Import
SFA registration plus a permit for each consignment
Electric appliances
CPSO: Controlled Goods such as kettles and rice cookers
Packaging
Yearly NEA report above S$10 million turnover

Before a product goes on sale

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Does it touch food or drink, and does it need electricity? Read more
  2. 2Is the importer registered with SFA, with a permit for each consignment? Read more
  3. 3Does the article meet the Food Regulations for what it may pass into food? Read more
  4. 4If electric, is it a Controlled Good needing the SAFETY Mark? Read more
  5. 5Does the business report its packaging to NEA? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Which regime applies

Food contact articles under SFA, appliances under the CPSO.

  • SFA treats as food contact articles items that come into contact with food or beverages and do not need electricity, such as plates, bowls, cups, straws, pots, pans, water bottles, chopsticks and spoons.
  • Food appliances that need electricity to function are not regulated by SFA.
  • The Consumer Goods Safety Requirements Regulations exclude products in contact with food, which come under SFA.

How we help: Compliant Always records which regime each product falls under, and why, so the right documents are gathered from the start. Ask about this

Import registration and permits

What an importer of food contact articles needs.

  • Importers of food contact articles hold the Registration to Import Processed Food Products and Food Appliances from SFA.
  • Each consignment needs an import permit under the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the SFA registration and the permit for each consignment with the products they cover. Ask about this

Electric kitchen appliances

Kettles, rice cookers, toasters and other appliances.

  • Electric kettles, rice cookers, microwave ovens, toasters and kitchen machines are among the Controlled Goods under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations.
  • Controlled Goods are tested, registered with the CPSO by a Registered Supplier and marked with the SAFETY Mark before sale.
  • Supplying unregistered Controlled Goods carries a fine of up to $10,000 or up to two years' imprisonment.
  • Refrigerators are regulated goods under NEA's energy labelling scheme, and suppliers and models are registered with NEA before supply.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each appliance's certificate, registration and renewal date with the model, and shows which expire soon. Ask about this

Quantity and packaging

Rules that apply to the pack whatever is inside it.

  • It is an offence to supply pre-packaged goods with less than the quantity stated on the package or label.
  • Companies with annual turnover above S$10 million that supply goods in Singapore and import or use packaging report packaging data and 3R plans to NEA each year under the Resource Sustainability Act.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps your packaging data with each product, ready for the yearly report to NEA. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
ImporterSFA registration, a permit for each consignment, and the safety of what it brings in.Registration, permits and supplier test reports kept by consignment.
Registered SupplierSAFETY Mark registration of electric kitchen appliances that are Controlled Goods.Certificates and renewal dates kept by model.
Brand ownerMaterials, specifications and any claims made about them.Specifications and test reports kept with each product.
RetailerSelling articles that came in legally and appliances that carry the SAFETY Mark.Product documents shown when a buyer asks.

Questions businesses ask

Who regulates kitchenware in Singapore?
SFA regulates food contact articles that need no electricity, such as plates, cups, pots and pans. Electric kitchen appliances come under the Consumer Product Safety Office.
Do I need a licence to import tableware into Singapore?
Importers of food contact articles hold SFA's Registration to Import Processed Food Products and Food Appliances, and take an import permit for each consignment.
Which law governs food contact articles in Singapore?
The Sale of Food Act 1973 and the Food Regulations.
Does SFA regulate rice cookers and kettles?
No. Food appliances that need electricity are not regulated by SFA. Kettles and rice cookers are Controlled Goods under the CPSO and carry the SAFETY Mark.
Do kitchen appliances need the SAFETY Mark?
Those that are Controlled Goods do, including electric kettles, rice cookers, microwave ovens and kitchen machines. They are registered with the CPSO before sale.
Are water bottles and straws food contact articles?
Yes. SFA lists water bottles, straws, chopsticks and spoons among food contact articles, along with plates, bowls, cups, pots and pans.
Do I need to report packaging to NEA?
If your company supplies goods in Singapore, imports or uses packaging, and has annual turnover above S$10 million, it reports packaging data and 3R plans to NEA each year.
How does Compliant Always help with selling in Singapore?
Our team reads the rules for the markets you sell in. Compliant Always shows which apply to your product, keeps the documents behind each one ready, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Singapore and what your paperwork needs to show.

Get in touch

No card, no account, and no call to book. Tell us what you make and where you sell it, and we will come back to you.

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