Home Authority Principle

Businesses operating in Aberdeenshire need to comply with a wide range of food legislation and local authorities, who are responsible for enforcing such legislation, provide advice, guidance and information to businesses in order to aid their compliance.

Businesses will, generally, build up a relationship with one particular local authority which will usually be the authority where the business is based. This authority is normally referred to as the "Home Authority".

The Home Authority Principle is a scheme developed by local authorities to help businesses by:

• Providing contact points for advice and guidance in order to maintain high standards of public protection
• Encouraging fair trade
• Ensuring an effective and consistent approach to enforcement
• Reducing duplication of effort by Local Authorities

Contact

If any business wishes to discuss the Home Authority Principle they should contact

John Bell
Environmental Health Specialist Officer (Food)
Gordon House
Blackhall Road
Inverurie
AB51 3WA
email: food.safety@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Please be aware that the Home Authority Principle does not remove the obligation on any business to ensure compliance with relevant food legislation, nor does it remove the primary responsibility for enforcement from the local authority in whose area any specific incident takes place.