7. What is the nutrition test?

The purpose of the test is to ensure that anyone wanting to be registered in the nutrition base knows about the most important rules for being entitled to operate a food business.

• 7.1 Who has to pass the nutrition test?
• 7.2 What is the nutrition test all about?
• 7.3 Where is the nutrition test held and how do I sign up?
• 7.4 How much does the nutrition test cost?
• 7.5 How does the nutrition test proceed?
• 7.6 In which language can I take the test?
• 7.7 Can I get help for the nutrition test?

7.1 Who has to pass the nutrition test?

People with relevant educational qualifications do not have to take the nutrition test, see chapter 5.

For owner-operated undertakings, the owner of the undertaking must be registered in the Nutrition Base and must pass the nutrition test. You cannot have someone else take the test for you, even an employee.

For partnerships (I/S and K/S), all liable partners (interessenter and komplementarer) must be registered in the Nutrition Base. They must also meet the test requirements.

For companies (A/S and ApS), the company should be registered in the Nutrition Base. This is done by a member of management who registers as the person responsible for the nutrition letter. Therefore, this person must pass the test. This does not necessarily have to be a member of the registered management.

For associations, only one person from the management of the association has to register in the Nutrition Base and pass the nutrition test.

7.2 What is the nutrition test all about?

The nutrition test contains a number of questions on important areas relating to operating a food business.

The questions deal with rules about

• tax and duties and deposits on packaging
• health and safety
• food legislation.

NB!
There are 25 questions in the test and you have to answer at least 20 correctly.

Note that the course run by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevaredirektoratet) for a certificate in food hygiene, and the basic training course in food hygiene, are not the same as the nutrition test and therefore they do not exempt you from taking the test.

7.3 Where is the nutrition test held and how do I sign up?

The test is held at test centres approved by the Commerce and Companies Agency. There are test centres throughout Denmark and you can find information about the nearest test centre at www.virk.dk/naeringsproeven.

At www.virk.dk/naeringsproeven there are links to the websites of the test centres. These include information on applications and on time and place for the tests.

Of course you can also apply to take the test at the test centre itself.

Once you have applied to take the test, you will receive a confirmation from the test centre as well as notification of when and where the test is to take place.

Find your way at www.virk.dk!

Click onto www.virk.dk/naeringsbasen.

There's information here about:

• The test
• The nearest test centre
• Times and places for the test
• Applications
• Links to test centres' own websites
• Courses to prepare you for the test, with links to the schools' own websites.

The direct link is www.virk.dk/naeringsproeven > Start indberetning > For ansøgere til næringsprøven > Kursus- og prøver.

There is also teaching material for self-study at www.virk.dk/naeringsproeven > Start indberetning > For ansøgere til næringsprøven > Selv-studie.

7.4 How much does the nutrition test cost?

The test costs DKK 600. This amount covers the costs of holding the test.

You pay direct at the test centre and not to the Commerce and Companies Agency. You should pay when you arrive at the centre to take the test, unless you have made other arrangements with the centre.

NB!
The DKK 600 payment only covers the test you have applied for. If you do not pass the test, or if you do not show up for the test, you have to apply and pay again.

You will only be entitled to have your money refunded if you cancel no less than five days before the test, or if you are ill and have a doctor’s certificate or other documentation.

There is no limit on the number of attempts you can have at the test.

7.5 How does the nutrition test proceed?

You should take valid ID with your picture and CPR number or other identification number with you to the test. This is usually your passport, driving license or similar. It is important that the ID carries your picture. The test centre is entitled to disqualify you from the test if you fail to show a valid ID.

Before the test starts, you will be told how the test is organised. You can ask questions if you are in doubt. Once the test is underway, it is too late to ask questions, so remember to ask before the test starts!

The test is on a computer at the test centre. You will be asked a number of questions with several answer options. The questions are designed so that you answer each question with a cross in the box by the answer you think is correct. It is possible to have questions and answer options read aloud by the computer.

Once the time for the test has elapsed, the test will be corrected automatically by a computer programme and you receive your result immediately.

If you have passed the test you will receive a slip which shows that you have passed the test. You will always be informed which questions you have answered incorrectly. You cannot redo the test, but you can take a new test.

As soon as you have passed the test, you can be registered in the Nutrition Base from the computer at the test centre. This requires that you know the CVR no. (business registration number) of your business. You can open your food business immediately after registration. The test centre is obligated to help you register in the Nutrition Base.

7.6 In which language can I take the test?

The test can be taken in Danish or English and it is now possible to have the test read aloud in Danish and English. When you take the test you can have the questions translated by an interpreter to German or French. However, this requires written notification (email or letter) to the Commerce and Companies Agency no less than two weeks prior to the test. After this, the Agency will choose an interpreter. The Agency will also pay the interpreter.

NB!
You cannot bring your own interpreter!

7.7 Can I get help for the nutrition test?

What can I bring with me?

You can take dictionaries (not electronic) in all languages to the test. No other aids are permitted.

Can I have practical help?

In general you cannot have practical help for the test.

However, there may be exceptional circumstances which mean that you need practical help during the test. For example a physical or mental disability. In these circumstances you may be permitted to take the test under special conditions such as practical help or more time to answer the questions.

The Commerce and Companies Agency decides whether you can take the test under special conditions, and what those conditions should be.

No later than two weeks prior to the test, you can send your application to take the test under special conditions to naeringsret@eogs.dk or to the Commerce and Companies Agency, Kampmannsgade 1, 1780 Copenhagen V, Denmark.

The application should include your name, CPR no. or other identification number, as well as the circumstances which mean you need to take the test under special conditions.

You should take your permit to the test. The test centre should also be notified about the permit when you apply to take the test, so that the necessary preparations can be made.