The Canterbury based dairy company Synlait Milk expects it could be two to three months before it can re-start exporting infant formula to China.
New rules for companies that want to send infant formula to China come into place on 1 May.
Companies will have to show they comply with the new Chinese regulations before they can be registered and can resume exporting.
The Government says about 50 small formula brands will be severely impacted by the new rules that stipulate brands must have a close relationship with the company that manufacture their product.
And 12 out of 13 New Zealand infant formula manufacturers, including Synlait, have been told by China they need to make changes to their operations before they'll be registered.
Synlait Milk's managing director John Penno says the company has to make some minor changes.
Dr Penno says he's confident Synlait Milk will be able to keep working in China and with its three brand partners: Bright Dairy, New Hope and a2.
