Part A—General Administrative Provisions

§371. Regulations and hearings

(a) Authority to promulgate regulations

The authority to promulgate regulations for the efficient enforcement of this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this section, is vested in the Secretary.

(b) Regulations for imports and exports

The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall jointly prescribe regulations for the efficient enforcement of the provisions of section 381 of this title, except as otherwise provided therein. Such regulations shall be promulgated in such manner and take effect at such time, after due notice, as the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall determine.

(c) Conduct of hearings

Hearings authorized or required by this chapter shall be conducted by the Secretary or such officer or employee as he may designate for the purpose.

(d) Effectiveness of definitions and standards of identity

The definitions and standards of identity promulgated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be effective for the purposes of the enforcement of this chapter, notwithstanding such definitions and standards as may be contained in other laws of the United States and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(e) Procedure for establishment

(1) Any action for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of any regulation under section 343(j), 344(a), 346, 351(b), or 352(d) or (h) of this title, and any action for the amendment or repeal of any definition and standard of identity under section 341 of this title for any dairy product (including products regulated under parts 131, 133 and 135 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations) shall be begun by a proposal made (A) by the Secretary on his own initiative, or (B) by petition of any interested person, showing reasonable grounds therefor, filed with the Secretary. The Secretary shall publish such proposal and shall afford all interested persons an opportunity to present their views thereon, orally or in writing. As soon as practicable thereafter, the Secretary shall by order act upon such proposal and shall make such order public. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the order shall become effective at such time as may be specified therein, but not prior to the day following the last day on which objections may be filed under such paragraph.

(2) On or before the thirtieth day after the date on which an order entered under paragraph (1) is made public, any person who will be adversely affected by such order if placed in effect may file objections thereto with the Secretary, specifying with particularity the provisions of the order deemed objectionable, stating the grounds therefor, and requesting a public hearing upon such objections. Until final action upon such objections is taken by the Secretary under paragraph (3), the filing of such objections shall operate to stay the effectiveness of those provisions of the order to which the objections are made. As soon as practicable after the time for filing objections has expired the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register specifying those parts of the order which have been stayed by the filing of objections and, if no objections have been filed, stating that fact.

(3) As soon as practicable after such request for a public hearing, the Secretary, after due notice, shall hold such a public hearing for the purpose of receiving evidence relevant and material to the issues raised by such objections. At the hearing, any interested person may be heard in person or by representative. As soon as practicable after completion of the hearing, the Secretary shall by order act upon such objections and make such order public. Such order shall be based only on substantial evidence of record at such hearing and shall set forth, as part of the order, detailed findings of fact on which the order is based. The Secretary shall specify in the order the date on which it shall take effect, except that it shall not be made to take effect prior to the ninetieth day after its publication unless the Secretary finds that emergency conditions exist necessitating an earlier effective date, in which event the Secretary shall specify in the order his findings as to such conditions.

(f) Review of order

(1) In a case of actual controversy as to the validity of any order under subsection (e), any person who will be adversely affected by such order if placed in effect may at any time prior to the ninetieth day after such order is issued file a petition with the United States court of appeals for the circuit wherein such person resides or has his principal place of business, for a judicial review of such order. A copy of the petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Secretary or other officer designated by him for that purpose. The Secretary thereupon shall file in the court the record of the proceedings on which the Secretary based his order, as provided in section 2112 of title 28.

(2) If the petitioner applies to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, and shows to the satisfaction of the court that such additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to adduce such evidence in the proceeding before the Secretary, the court may order such additional evidence (and evidence in rebuttal thereof) to be taken before the Secretary, and to be adduced upon the hearing, in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as to the court may seem proper. The Secretary may modify his findings as to the facts, or make new findings, by reason of the additional evidence so taken, and he shall file such modified or new findings, and his recommendation, if any, for the modification or setting aside of his original order, with the return of such additional evidence.

(3) Upon the filing of the petition referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall have jurisdiction to affirm the order, or to set it aside in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently. If the order of the Secretary refuses to issue, amend, or repeal a regulation and such order is not in accordance with law the court shall by its judgment order the Secretary to take action, with respect to such regulation, in accordance with law. The findings of the Secretary as to the facts, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive.

(4) The judgment of the court affirming or setting aside, in whole or in part, any such order of the Secretary shall be final, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in section 1254 of title 28.

(5) Any action instituted under this subsection shall survive notwithstanding any change in the person occupying the office of Secretary or any vacancy in such office.

(6) The remedies provided for in this subsection shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any other remedies provided by law.

(g) Copies of records of hearings

A certified copy of the transcript of the record and proceedings under subsection (e) shall be furnished by the Secretary to any interested party at his request, and payment of the costs thereof, and shall be admissible in any criminal, libel for condemnation, exclusion of imports, or other proceeding arising under or in respect to this chapter, irrespective of whether proceedings with respect to the order have previously been instituted or become final under subsection (f).

(h) Guidance documents

(1)(A) The Secretary shall develop guidance documents with public participation and ensure that information identifying the existence of such documents and the documents themselves are made available to the public both in written form and, as feasible, through electronic means. Such documents shall not create or confer any rights for or on any person, although they present the views of the Secretary on matters under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration.

(B) Although guidance documents shall not be binding on the Secretary, the Secretary shall ensure that employees of the Food and Drug Administration do not deviate from such guidances without appropriate justification and supervisory concurrence. The Secretary shall provide training to employees in how to develop and use guidance documents and shall monitor the development and issuance of such documents.

(C)(i) For guidance documents that set forth initial interpretations of a statute or regulation, changes in interpretation or policy that are of more than a minor nature, complex scientific issues, or highly controversial issues, the Secretary shall ensure public participation prior to implementation of guidance documents, unless the Secretary determines that such prior public participation is not feasible or appropriate. In such cases, the Secretary shall provide for public comment upon implementation and take such comment into account.

(ii) With respect to devices, if a notice to industry guidance letter, a notice to industry advisory letter, or any similar notice sets forth initial interpretations of a regulation or policy or sets forth changes in interpretation or policy, such notice shall be treated as a guidance document for purposes of this subparagraph.

(D) For guidance documents that set forth existing practices or minor changes in policy, the Secretary shall provide for public comment upon implementation.

(2) In developing guidance documents, the Secretary shall ensure uniform nomenclature for such documents and uniform internal procedures for approval of such documents. The Secretary shall ensure that guidance documents and revisions of such documents are properly dated and indicate the nonbinding nature of the documents. The Secretary shall periodically review all guidance documents and, where appropriate, revise such documents.

(3) The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall maintain electronically and update and publish periodically in the Federal Register a list of guidance documents. All such documents shall be made available to the public.

(4) The Secretary shall ensure that an effective appeals mechanism is in place to address complaints that the Food and Drug Administration is not developing and using guidance documents in accordance with this subsection.

(5) Not later than July 1, 2000, the Secretary after evaluating the effectiveness of the Good Guidance Practices document, published in the Federal Register at 62 Fed. Reg. 8961, shall promulgate a regulation consistent with this subsection specifying the policies and procedures of the Food and Drug Administration for the development, issuance, and use of guidance documents.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §701, 52 Stat. 1055; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32, 62 Stat. 991; Apr. 15, 1954, ch. 143, §2, 68 Stat. 55; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 861, §2, 70 Stat. 919; Pub. L. 85–791, §21, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 948; Pub. L. 86–618, title I, §103(a)(4), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 398; Pub. L. 101–535, §8, Nov. 8, 1990, 104 Stat. 2365; Pub. L. 102–300, §6(b)(1), June 16, 1992, 106 Stat. 240; Pub. L. 103–80, §§3(y), (dd)(1), 4(c), Aug. 13, 1993, 107 Stat. 778, 779; Pub. L. 103–396, §3(b), Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4155; Pub. L. 105–115, title IV, §405, Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2368; Pub. L. 112–144, title VI, §619, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1063.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Subsec. (h)(1)(C). Pub. L. 112–144 designated existing provisions as cl. (i) and added cl. (ii).

1997—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–115 added subsec. (h).

1994—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 103–396 which directed the amendment of par. (1) by striking out "or maple syrup (regulated under section 168.140 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations).", was executed by striking out "or maple sirup (regulated under section 168.140 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations)" before "shall be begun by a proposal", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–80, §3(dd)(1), substituted "Health and Human Services" for "Agriculture" in two places.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 103–80, §4(c), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 101–535, §8. See 1990 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 103–80, §3(y)(1), struck out period after second reference to "Regulations)".

Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 103–80, §3(y)(2), substituted reference to section 1254 of title 28 for "sections 239 and 240 of the Judicial Code, as amended".

1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–300, which directed the substitution of "Health and Human Services" for "Health, Education, and Welfare", could not be executed because such words did not appear in the original statutory text. See 1993 Amendment note above and Transfer of Functions note below.

1990—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 101–535, §8, as amended by Pub. L. 103–80, §4(c), substituted "Any action for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of any regulation under section 343(j), 344(a), 346, 351(b), or 352(d) or (h) of this title, and any action for the amendment or repeal of any definition and standard of identity under section 341 of this title for any dairy product (including products regulated under parts 131, 133 and 135 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations) or maple sirup (regulated under section 168.140 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations)" for "Any action for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of any regulation under section 341, 343(j), 344(a), 346, 351(b), or 352(d) or (h) of this title".

1960—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 86–618 substituted "section 341, 343(j), 344(a), 346, 351(b), or 352(d) or (h), of this title" for "section 341, 343(j), 344(a), 346(a) or (b), 351(b), 352(d) or (h), 354 or 364 of this title".

1958—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 85–791, §21(a), substituted provisions requiring transmission of a copy of the petition by clerk to Secretary, and filing of the record by Secretary, for provisions which permitted service of summons and petition any place in United States and required Secretary to certify and file transcript of the proceedings and record upon service.

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 85–791, §21(b), inserted "Upon the filing of the petition referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection".

1956—Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 1, 1956, simplified procedures governing prescribing of regulations under certain provisions of this chapter.

1954—Subsec. (e). Act Apr. 15, 1954, struck out reference to section 341 of this title, before "343(j)", such section 341 now containing its own provisions with respect to hearings regarding the establishment of food standards.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States changed to United States court of appeals by act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–115 effective 90 days after Nov. 21, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–115, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Effective Date of 1960 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 86–618 effective July 12, 1960, subject to the provisions of section 203 of Pub. L. 86–618, see section 202 of Pub. L. 86–618, set out as a note under section 379e of this title.

Construction of Amendments by Pub. L. 101–535

Amendments by Pub. L. 101–535 not to be construed to alter the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.), see section 9 of Pub. L. 101–535, set out as a note under section 343 of this title.

Savings Provision

Savings clause of act Aug. 1, 1956, see note set out under section 341 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

Secretary and Department of Health, Education, and Welfare redesignated Secretary and Department of Health and Human Services by Pub. L. 96–88, title V, §509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

Notification of FDA Intent To Regulate Laboratory-Developed Tests

Pub. L. 112–144, title XI, §1143, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1130, provided that the Food and Drug Administration could not issue any draft or final guidance on the regulation of laboratory-developed tests under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) without, at least 60 days prior to such issuance, notifying the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate of the Administration's intent to take such action and including in such notification the anticipated details of such action, and that such provision ceased to have force or effect on the date that was 5 years after the date of enactment of Pub. L. 112–144, which was approved July 9, 2012.

Approval of Supplemental Applications for Approved Products

Pub. L. 105–115, title IV, §403, Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2367, provided that:

"(a) Standards.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 21, 1997], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish in the Federal Register standards for the prompt review of supplemental applications submitted for approved articles under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262).

"(b) Guidance to Industry.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 21, 1997], the Secretary shall issue final guidances to clarify the requirements for, and facilitate the submission of data to support, the approval of supplemental applications for the approved articles described in subsection (a). The guidances shall—

"(1) clarify circumstances in which published matter may be the basis for approval of a supplemental application;

"(2) specify data requirements that will avoid duplication of previously submitted data by recognizing the availability of data previously submitted in support of an original application; and

"(3) define supplemental applications that are eligible for priority review.

"(c) Responsibilities of Centers.—The Secretary shall designate an individual in each center within the Food and Drug Administration (except the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition) to be responsible for—

"(1) encouraging the prompt review of supplemental applications for approved articles; and

"(2) working with sponsors to facilitate the development and submission of data to support supplemental applications.

"(d) Collaboration.—The Secretary shall implement programs and policies that will foster collaboration between the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, professional medical and scientific societies, and other persons, to identify published and unpublished studies that may support a supplemental application, and to encourage sponsors to make supplemental applications or conduct further research in support of a supplemental application based, in whole or in part, on such studies."

Hearings Pending on April 15, 1954, With Respect to Food Standards

Provisions of this chapter in effect prior to Apr. 15, 1954, as applicable with respect to hearings begun prior to such date under subsection (e) of this section, regarding food standards, see Savings Provisions note set out under section 341 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under section 321 of this title.

§372. Examinations and investigations

(a) Authority to conduct

(1)(A) The Secretary is authorized to conduct examinations and investigations for the purposes of this chapter through officers and employees of the Department or through any health, food, or drug officer or employee of any State, Territory, or political subdivision thereof, duly commissioned by the Secretary as an officer of the Department.

(B)(i) For a tobacco product, to the extent feasible, the Secretary shall contract with the States in accordance with this paragraph to carry out inspections of retailers within that State in connection with the enforcement of this chapter.

(ii) The Secretary shall not enter into any contract under clause (i) with the government of any of the several States to exercise enforcement authority under this chapter on Indian country without the express written consent of the Indian tribe involved.

(2)(A) In addition to the authority established in paragraph (1), the Secretary, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary and the head of another Federal department or agency, is authorized to conduct examinations and investigations for the purposes of this chapter through the officers and employees of such other department or agency, subject to subparagraph (B). Such a memorandum shall include provisions to ensure adequate training of such officers and employees to conduct the examinations and investigations. The memorandum of understanding shall contain provisions regarding reimbursement. Such provisions may, at the sole discretion of the head of the other department or agency, require reimbursement, in whole or in part, from the Secretary for the examinations or investigations performed under this section by the officers or employees of the other department or agency.

(B) A memorandum of understanding under subparagraph (A) between the Secretary and another Federal department or agency is effective only in the case of examinations or inspections at facilities or other locations that are jointly regulated by the Secretary and such department or agency.

(C) For any fiscal year in which the Secretary and the head of another Federal department or agency carries out one or more examinations or inspections under a memorandum of understanding under subparagraph (A), the Secretary and the head of such department or agency shall with respect to their respective departments or agencies submit to the committees of jurisdiction (authorizing and appropriating) in the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that provides, for such year—

(i) the number of officers or employees that carried out one or more programs, projects, or activities under such memorandum;

(ii) the number of additional articles that were inspected or examined as a result of such memorandum; and

(iii) the number of additional examinations or investigations that were carried out pursuant to such memorandum.

(3) In the case of food packed in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a Territory the Secretary shall attempt to make inspection of such food at the first point of entry within the United States when, in his opinion and with due regard to the enforcement of all the provisions of this chapter, the facilities at his disposal will permit of such inspection.

(4) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "United States" means the States and the District of Columbia.

(b) Availability to owner of part of analysis samples

Where a sample of a food, drug, or cosmetic is collected for analysis under this chapter the Secretary shall, upon request, provide a part of such official sample for examination or analysis by any person named on the label of the article, or the owner thereof, or his attorney or agent; except that the Secretary is authorized, by regulations, to make such reasonable exceptions from, and impose such reasonable terms and conditions relating to, the operation of this subsection as he finds necessary for the proper administration of the provisions of this chapter.

(c) Records of other departments and agencies

For purposes of enforcement of this chapter, records of any department or independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government shall be open to inspection by any official of the Department duly authorized by the Secretary to make such inspection.

(d) Information on patents for drugs

The Secretary is authorized and directed, upon request from the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, to furnish full and complete information with respect to such questions relating to drugs as the Director may submit concerning any patent application. The Secretary is further authorized, upon receipt of any such request, to conduct or cause to be conducted, such research as may be required.

(e) Powers of enforcement personnel

Any officer or employee of the Department designated by the Secretary to conduct examinations, investigations, or inspections under this chapter relating to counterfeit drugs may, when so authorized by the Secretary—

(1) carry firearms;

(2) execute and serve search warrants and arrest warrants;

(3) execute seizure by process issued pursuant to libel under section 334 of this title;

(4) make arrests without warrant for offenses under this chapter with respect to such drugs if the offense is committed in his presence or, in the case of a felony, if he has probable cause to believe that the person so arrested has committed, or is committing, such offense; and

(5) make, prior to the institution of libel proceedings under section 334(a)(2) of this title, seizures of drugs or containers or of equipment, punches, dies, plates, stones, labeling, or other things, if they are, or he has reasonable grounds to believe that they are, subject to seizure and condemnation under such section 334(a)(2). In the event of seizure pursuant to this paragraph (5), libel proceedings under section 334(a)(2) of this title shall be instituted promptly and the property seized be placed under the jurisdiction of the court.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §702, 52 Stat. 1056; Pub. L. 87–781, title III, §§307(b), 308, Oct. 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 89–74, §8(a), July 15, 1965, 79 Stat. 234; Pub. L. 91–513, title II, §701(f), Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1282; Pub. L. 102–300, §6(b)(2), June 16, 1992, 106 Stat. 240; Pub. L. 103–80, §3(dd)(2), Aug. 13, 1993, 107 Stat. 779; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(b)(12)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-584; Pub. L. 107–188, title III, §314, June 12, 2002, 116 Stat. 674; Pub. L. 111–31, div. A, title I, §103(g), June 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1837.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–31 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–188 inserted "(1)" before "The Secretary is authorized to conduct", added par. (2), inserted "(3)" before "In the case of food packed", and substituted "(4) For the purposes of this subsection," for "For the purposes of this subsection".

1999—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–113, in first sentence, substituted "Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office" for "Commissioner of Patents" and "Director" for "Commissioner".

1993—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–80 struck out "of Agriculture" after "Department".

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–300, which directed the amendment of subsec. (c) by striking out "of Health, Education, and Welfare", could not be executed because such words did not appear in the original statutory text. See 1993 Amendment note above and Transfer of Functions note below.

1970—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 91–513 struck out reference to depressant or stimulant drugs.

1965—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 89–74 added subsec. (e).

1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–781, §307(b), inserted "the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or" before "a Territory the Secretary".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–781, §308, added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–513 effective on first day of seventh calendar month that begins after Oct. 26, 1970, see section 704 of Pub. L. 91–513, set out as an Effective Date note under section 801 of this title.

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 89–74 effective July 15, 1965, see section 11 of Pub. L. 89–74, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Savings Provision

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–513 not to affect or abate any prosecutions for any violation of law or any civil seizures or forfeitures and injunctive proceedings commenced prior to the effective date of such amendment, and all administrative proceedings pending before the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs [now Drug Enforcement Administration] on Oct. 27, 1970, to be continued and brought to final determination in accord with laws and regulations in effect prior to Oct. 27, 1970, see section 702 of Pub. L. 91–513, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see note set out under section 321 of this title.

§372a. Transferred

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §702A, formerly June 30, 1906, ch. 3915, §10A, as added June 22, 1934, ch. 712, 48 Stat. 1204, and amended, which related to examination of sea food, was renumbered section 706 of act June 25, 1938, by Pub. L. 102–571, title I, §106(3), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4498, and transferred to section 376 of this title.

§373. Records

(a) In general

For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, carriers engaged in interstate commerce, and persons receiving food, drugs, devices, tobacco products, or cosmetics in interstate commerce or holding such articles so received, shall, upon the request of an officer or employee duly designated by the Secretary, permit such officer or employee, at reasonable times, to have access to and to copy all records showing the movement in interstate commerce of any food, drug, device, tobacco product, or cosmetic, or the holding thereof during or after such movement, and the quantity, shipper, and consignee thereof; and it shall be unlawful for any such carrier or person to fail to permit such access to and copying of any such record so requested when such request is accompanied by a statement in writing specifying the nature or kind of food, drug, device, tobacco product, or cosmetic to which such request relates, except that evidence obtained under this section, or any evidence which is directly or indirectly derived from such evidence, shall not be used in a criminal prosecution of the person from whom obtained, and except that carriers shall not be subject to the other provisions of this chapter by reason of their receipt, carriage, holding, or delivery of food, drugs, devices, tobacco products, or cosmetics in the usual course of business as carriers, except as provided in subsection (b).

(b) Food transportation records

A shipper, carrier by motor vehicle or rail vehicle, receiver, or other person subject to section 350e of this title shall, on request of an officer or employee designated by the Secretary, permit the officer or employee, at reasonable times, to have access to and to copy all records that the Secretary requires to be kept under section 350e(c)(1)(E) of this title.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §703, 52 Stat. 1057; Pub. L. 91–452, title II, §230, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 930; Pub. L. 103–80, §3(z), Aug. 13, 1993, 107 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, §7202(c), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1913; Pub. L. 111–31, div. A, title I, §103(h), June 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1837.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–31 inserted "tobacco product," after "device," in two places and "tobacco products," after "devices," in two places.

2005—Pub. L. 109–59 struck out "of interstate shipment" after "Records" in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted subsec. heading, substituted "carriers, except as provided in subsection (b)" for "carriers" before period at end, and added subsec. (b).

1993—Pub. L. 103–80 substituted ", except that" for ": Provided, That" and ", and except that" for ": Provided further, That".

1970—Pub. L. 91–452 inserted ", or any evidence which is directly or indirectly derived from such evidence," after "under this section".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–59 effective Oct. 1, 2005, see section 7204 of Pub. L. 109–59, set out as a note under section 331 of this title.

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–452 effective on sixtieth day following Oct. 15, 1970, and not to affect any immunity to which any individual is entitled under this section by reason of any testimony given before sixtieth day following Oct. 15, 1970, see section 260 of Pub. L. 91–452, set out as an Effective Date; Savings Provision note under section 6001 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under section 321 of this title.

§374. Inspection

(a) Right of agents to enter; scope of inspection; notice; promptness; exclusions

(1) For purposes of enforcement of this chapter, officers or employees duly designated by the Secretary, upon presenting appropriate credentials and a written notice to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, are authorized (A) to enter, at reasonable times, any factory, warehouse, or establishment in which food, drugs, devices, tobacco products, or cosmetics are manufactured, processed, packed, or held, for introduction into interstate commerce or after such introduction, or to enter any vehicle being used to transport or hold such food, drugs, devices, tobacco products, or cosmetics in interstate commerce; and (B) to inspect, at reasonable times and within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, such factory, warehouse, establishment, or vehicle and all pertinent equipment, finished and unfinished materials, containers, and labeling therein. In the case of any person (excluding farms and restaurants) who manufactures, processes, packs, transports, distributes, holds, or imports foods, the inspection shall extend to all records and other information described in section 350c of this title, when the standard for records inspection under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 350c(a) of this title applies, subject to the limitations established in section 350c(d) of this title. In the case of a facility (as defined in section 364 of this title) that manufactures or processes cosmetic products, the inspection shall extend to all records and other information described in sections 364a, 364b, and 364f of this title, when the standard for records inspection under such section applies. In the case of any factory, warehouse, establishment, or consulting laboratory in which prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs intended for human use, devices, or tobacco products are manufactured, processed, packed, or held, the inspection shall extend to all things therein (including records, files, papers, processes, controls, and facilities) bearing on whether prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs intended for human use, devices, or tobacco products which are adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of this chapter, or which may not be manufactured, introduced into interstate commerce, or sold, or offered for sale by reason of any provision of this chapter, have been or are being manufactured, processed, packed, transported, or held in any such place, or otherwise bearing on violation of this chapter. No inspection authorized by the preceding sentence or by paragraph (3) shall extend to financial data, sales data other than shipment data, pricing data, personnel data (other than data as to qualification of technical and professional personnel performing functions subject to this chapter), and research data (other than data relating to new drugs, antibiotic drugs, devices, and tobacco products and subject to reporting and inspection under regulations lawfully issued pursuant to section 355(i) or (k) of this title, section 360i of this title, section 360j(g) of this title, or subchapter IX and data relating to other drugs, devices, or tobacco products which in the case of a new drug would be subject to reporting or inspection under lawful regulations issued pursuant to section 355(j) of this title). A separate notice shall be given for each such inspection, but a notice shall not be required for each entry made during the period covered by the inspection. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness.

(2) The provisions of the third sentence of paragraph (1) shall not apply to—

(A) pharmacies which maintain establishments in conformance with any applicable local laws regulating the practice of pharmacy and medicine and which are regularly engaged in dispensing prescription drugs or devices, upon prescriptions of practitioners licensed to administer such drugs or devices to patients under the care of such practitioners in the course of their professional practice, and which do not, either through a subsidiary or otherwise, manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process drugs or devices for sale other than in the regular course of their business of dispensing or selling drugs or devices at retail;

(B) practitioners licensed by law to prescribe or administer drugs, or prescribe or use devices, as the case may be, and who manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process drugs, or manufacture or process devices, solely for use in the course of their professional practice;

(C) persons who manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process drugs or manufacture or process devices, solely for use in research, teaching, or chemical analysis and not for sale;

(D) such other classes of persons as the Secretary may by regulation exempt from the application of this section upon a finding that inspection as applied to such classes of persons in accordance with this section is not necessary for the protection of the public health.

(3) An officer or employee making an inspection under paragraph (1) for purposes of enforcing the requirements of section 350a of this title applicable to infant formulas shall be permitted, at all reasonable times, to have access to and to copy and verify any records—

(A) bearing on whether the infant formula manufactured or held in the facility inspected meets the requirements of section 350a of this title, or

(B) required to be maintained under section 350a of this title.

(4)(A) Any records or other information that the Secretary may inspect under this section from a person that owns or operates an establishment that is engaged in the manufacture, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of a drug or device, or a site or facility that is subject to inspection under paragraph (5)(C), shall, upon the request of the Secretary, be provided to the Secretary by such person, in advance of or in lieu of an inspection, within a reasonable timeframe, within reasonable limits, and in a reasonable manner, and in either electronic or physical form, at the expense of such person. The Secretary's request shall include a sufficient description of the records or other information requested and a rationale for requesting such records or other information in advance of, or in lieu of, an inspection.

(B) Upon receipt of the records requested under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide to the person confirmation of receipt.

(C) The Secretary may rely on any records or other information that the Secretary may inspect under this section to satisfy requirements that may pertain to a preapproval or risk-based surveillance inspection, or to resolve deficiencies identified during such inspections, if applicable and appropriate.

(D) Nothing in this paragraph supplants the authority of the Secretary to conduct inspections otherwise permitted under this chapter in order to ensure compliance with this chapter.

(5)(A) The Secretary may, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of studies and records or other information described in subparagraph (B) and to assess compliance with applicable requirements under this chapter or the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.], enter sites and facilities specified in subparagraph (C) in order to inspect such records or other information.

(B) An inspection under this paragraph shall extend to all records and other information related to the studies and submissions described in subparagraph (E), including records and information related to the conduct, results, and analyses of, and the protection of human and animal trial participants participating in, such studies.

(C)(i) The sites and facilities subject to inspection by the Secretary under this paragraph are those owned or operated by a person described in clause (ii) and which are (or were) utilized by such person in connection with—

(I) developing an application or other submission to the Secretary under this chapter or the Public Health Service Act related to marketing authorization for a product described in paragraph (1);

(II) preparing, conducting, or analyzing the results of a study described in subparagraph (E); or

(III) holding any records or other information described in subparagraph (B).

(ii) A person described in this clause is—

(I) the sponsor of an application or submission specified in subparagraph (E);

(II) a person engaged in any activity described in clause (i) on behalf of such a sponsor, through a contract, grant, or other business arrangement with such sponsor;

(III) an institutional review board, or other individual or entity, engaged by contract, grant, or other business arrangement with a nonsponsor in preparing, collecting, or analyzing records or other information described in subparagraph (B); or

(IV) any person not otherwise described in this clause that conducts, or has conducted, a study described in subparagraph (E) yielding records or other information described in subparagraph (B).

(D)(i) Subject to clause (ii), an entity that owns or operates any site or facility subject to inspection under this paragraph shall provide the Secretary with access to records and other information described in subparagraph (B) that is held by or under the control of such entity, including—

(I) permitting the Secretary to record or copy such information for purposes of this paragraph;

(II) providing the Secretary with access to any electronic information system utilized by such entity to hold, process, analyze, or transfer any records or other information described in subparagraph (B); and

(III) permitting the Secretary to inspect the facilities, equipment, written procedures, processes, and conditions through which records or other information described in subparagraph (B) is or was generated, held, processed, analyzed, or transferred.

(ii) Nothing in clause (i) shall negate, supersede, or otherwise affect the applicability of provisions, under this or any other Act, preventing or limiting the disclosure of confidential commercial information or other information considered proprietary or trade secret.

(iii) An inspection under this paragraph shall be conducted at reasonable times and within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner.

(E) The studies and submissions described in this subparagraph are each of the following:

(i) Clinical and nonclinical studies submitted to the Secretary in support of, or otherwise related to, applications and other submissions to the Secretary under this chapter or the Public Health Service Act for marketing authorization of a product described in paragraph (1).

(ii) Postmarket safety activities conducted under this chapter or the Public Health Service Act.

(iii) Any other clinical investigation of—

(I) a drug subject to section 355 or 360b of this title or section 262 of title 42; or

(II) a device subject to section 360j(g) of this title.

(iv) Any other submissions made under this chapter or the Public Health Service Act with respect to which the Secretary determines an inspection under this paragraph is warranted in the interest of public health.

(F) This paragraph clarifies the authority of the Secretary to conduct inspections of the type described in this paragraph and shall not be construed as a basis for inferring that, prior to December 29, 2022, the Secretary lacked the authority to conduct such inspections, including under this chapter or the Public Health Service Act.

(b) Written report to owner; copy to Secretary

(1) Upon completion of any such inspection of a factory, warehouse, consulting laboratory, or other establishment, and prior to leaving the premises, the officer or employee making the inspection shall give to the owner, operator, or agent in charge a report in writing setting forth any conditions or practices observed by him which, in his judgment, indicate that any food, drug, device, tobacco product, or cosmetic in such establishment (A) consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or (B) has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health. A copy of such report shall be sent promptly to the Secretary.

(2) In carrying out this subsection with respect to any establishment manufacturing a drug approved under subsection (c) or (j) of section 355 of this title for which a notification has been submitted in accordance with section 356c of this title is, or has been in the last 5 years, listed on the drug shortage list under section 356e of this title, or that is described in section 355(j)(11)(A) of this title, a copy of the report shall be sent promptly to the appropriate offices of the Food and Drug Administration with expertise regarding drug shortages.

(c) Receipt for samples taken

If the officer or employee making any such inspection of a factory, warehouse, or other establishment has obtained any sample in the course of the inspection, upon completion of the inspection and prior to leaving the premises he shall give to the owner, operator, or agent in charge a receipt describing the samples obtained.

(d) Analysis of samples furnished owner

Whenever in the course of any such inspection of a factory or other establishment where food is manufactured, processed, or packed, the officer or employee making the inspection obtains a sample of any such food, and an analysis is made of such sample for the purpose of ascertaining whether such food consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or is otherwise unfit for food, a copy of the results of such analysis shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator, or agent in charge.

(e) Accessibility of records

Every person required under section 360i or 360j(g) of this title to maintain records and every person who is in charge or custody of such records shall, upon request of an officer or employee designated by the Secretary, permit such officer or employee at all reasonable times to have access to, and to copy and verify, such records.

(f) Recordkeeping

(1) An accredited person described in paragraph (3) shall maintain records documenting the training qualifications of the person and the employees of the person, the procedures used by the person for handling confidential information, the compensation arrangements made by the person, and the procedures used by the person to identify and avoid conflicts of interest. Upon the request of an officer or employee designated by the Secretary, the person shall permit the officer or employee, at all reasonable times, to have access to, to copy, and to verify, the records.

(2) Within 15 days after the receipt of a written request from the Secretary to an accredited person described in paragraph (3) for copies of records described in paragraph (1), the person shall produce the copies of the records at the place designated by the Secretary.

(3) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), an accredited person described in this paragraph is a person who—

(A) is accredited under subsection (g); or

(B) is accredited under section 360m of this title.

(g) Inspections by accredited persons

(1) The Secretary shall, subject to the provisions of this subsection, accredit persons for the purpose of conducting inspections of establishments that manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process class II or class III devices, which inspections are required under section 360(h) of this title or are inspections of such establishments required to register under section 360(i) of this title. The owner or operator of such an establishment that is eligible under paragraph (6) may, from the list published under paragraph (4), select an accredited person to conduct such inspections.

(2) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register criteria to accredit or deny accreditation to persons who request to perform the duties specified in paragraph (1). Thereafter, the Secretary shall inform those requesting accreditation, within 60 days after the receipt of such request, whether the request for accreditation is adequate for review, and the Secretary shall promptly act on the request for accreditation. Any resulting accreditation shall state that such person is accredited to conduct inspections at device establishments identified in paragraph (1). The accreditation of such person shall specify the particular activities under this subsection for which such person is accredited.

(3) An accredited person shall, at a minimum, meet the following requirements:

(A) Such person may not be an employee of the Federal Government.

(B) Such person shall be an independent organization which is not owned or controlled by a manufacturer, supplier, or vendor of articles regulated under this chapter and which has no organizational, material, or financial affiliation (including a consultative affiliation) with such a manufacturer, supplier, or vendor.

(C) Such person shall be a legally constituted entity permitted to conduct the activities for which it seeks accreditation.

(D) Such person shall not engage in the design, manufacture, promotion, or sale of articles regulated under this chapter.

(E) The operations of such person shall be in accordance with generally accepted professional and ethical business practices, and such person shall agree in writing that at a minimum the person will—

(i) certify that reported information accurately reflects data reviewed, inspection observations made, other matters that relate to or may influence compliance with this chapter, and recommendations made during an inspection or at an inspection's closing meeting;

(ii) limit work to that for which competence and capacity are available;

(iii) treat information received, records, reports, and recommendations as confidential commercial or financial information or trade secret information, except such information may be made available to the Secretary;

(iv) promptly respond and attempt to resolve complaints regarding its activities for which it is accredited; and

(v) protect against the use, in carrying out paragraph (1), of any officer or employee of the accredited person who has a financial conflict of interest regarding any product regulated under this chapter, and annually make available to the public disclosures of the extent to which the accredited person, and the officers and employees of the person, have maintained compliance with requirements under this clause relating to financial conflicts of interest.

(F) Such person shall notify the Secretary of any withdrawal, suspension, restriction, or expiration of certificate of conformance with the quality systems standard referred to in paragraph (7) for any device establishment that such person inspects under this subsection not later than 30 days after such withdrawal, suspension, restriction, or expiration.

(G) Such person may conduct audits to establish conformance with the quality systems standard referred to in paragraph (7).

(4) The Secretary shall publish on the Internet site of the Food and Drug Administration a list of persons who are accredited under paragraph (2). Such list shall be updated to ensure that the identity of each accredited person, and the particular activities for which the person is accredited, is known to the public. The updating of such list shall be no later than one month after the accreditation of a person under this subsection or the suspension or withdrawal of accreditation, or the modification of the particular activities for which the person is accredited.

(5)(A) To ensure that persons accredited under this subsection continue to meet the standards of accreditation, the Secretary shall (i) audit the performance of such persons on a periodic basis through the review of inspection reports and inspections by persons designated by the Secretary to evaluate the compliance status of a device establishment and the performance of accredited persons, and (ii) take such additional measures as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(B) The Secretary may withdraw accreditation of any person accredited under paragraph (2), after providing notice and an opportunity for an informal hearing, when such person is substantially not in compliance with the standards of accreditation, poses a threat to public health, fails to act in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this subsection, or where the Secretary determines that there is a financial conflict of interest in the relationship between the accredited person and the owner or operator of a device establishment that the accredited person has inspected under this subsection. The Secretary may suspend the accreditation of such person during the pendency of the process under the preceding sentence.

(6)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), a device establishment is eligible for inspection by persons accredited under paragraph (2) if the following conditions are met:

(i) The Secretary classified the results of the most recent inspection of the establishment as "no action indicated" or "voluntary action indicated".

(ii) With respect to inspections of the establishment to be conducted by an accredited person, the owner or operator of the establishment submits to the Secretary a notice that—

(I) provides the date of the last inspection of the establishment by the Secretary and the classification of that inspection;

(II) states the intention of the owner or operator to use an accredited person to conduct inspections of the establishment;

(III) identifies the particular accredited person the owner or operator intends to select to conduct such inspections; and

(IV) includes a certification that, with respect to the devices that are manufactured, prepared, propagated, compounded, or processed in the establishment—

(aa) at least 1 of such devices is marketed in the United States; and

(bb) at least 1 of such devices is marketed, or is intended to be marketed, in 1 or more foreign countries, 1 of which countries certifies, accredits, or otherwise recognizes the person accredited under paragraph (2) and identified under subclause (III) as a person authorized to conduct inspections of device establishments.

(B)(i) Except with respect to the requirement of subparagraph (A)(i), a device establishment is deemed to have clearance to participate in the program and to use the accredited person identified in the notice under subparagraph (A)(ii) for inspections of the establishment unless the Secretary, not later than 30 days after receiving such notice, issues a response that—

(I) denies clearance to participate as provided under subparagraph (C); or

(II) makes a request under clause (ii).

(ii) The Secretary may request from the owner or operator of a device establishment in response to the notice under subparagraph (A)(ii) with respect to the establishment, or from the particular accredited person identified in such notice—

(I) compliance data for the establishment in accordance with clause (iii)(I); or

(II) information concerning the relationship between the owner or operator of the establishment and the accredited person identified in such notice in accordance with clause (iii)(II).

The owner or operator of the establishment, or such accredited person, as the case may be, shall respond to such a request not later than 60 days after receiving such request.

(iii)(I) The compliance data to be submitted by the owner or operator of a device establishment in response to a request under clause (ii)(I) are data describing whether the quality controls of the establishment have been sufficient for ensuring consistent compliance with current good manufacturing practice within the meaning of section 351(h) of this title and with other applicable provisions of this chapter. Such data shall include complete reports of inspectional findings regarding good manufacturing practice or other quality control audits that, during the preceding 2-year period, were conducted at the establishment by persons other than the owner or operator of the establishment, together with all other compliance data the Secretary deems necessary. Data under the preceding sentence shall demonstrate to the Secretary whether the establishment has facilitated consistent compliance by promptly correcting any compliance problems identified in such inspections.

(II) A request to an accredited person under clause (ii)(II) may not seek any information that is not required to be maintained by such person in records under subsection (f)(1).

(iv) A device establishment is deemed to have clearance to participate in the program and to use the accredited person identified in the notice under subparagraph (A)(ii) for inspections of the establishment unless the Secretary, not later than 60 days after receiving the information requested under clause (ii), issues a response that denies clearance to participate as provided under subparagraph (C).

(C)(i) The Secretary may deny clearance to a device establishment if the Secretary has evidence that the certification under subparagraph (A)(ii)(IV) is untrue and the Secretary provides to the owner or operator of the establishment a statement summarizing such evidence.

(ii) The Secretary may deny clearance to a device establishment if the Secretary determines that the establishment has failed to demonstrate consistent compliance for purposes of subparagraph (B)(iii)(I) and the Secretary provides to the owner or operator of the establishment a statement of the reasons for such determination.

(iii)(I) The Secretary may reject the selection of the accredited person identified in the notice under subparagraph (A)(ii) if the Secretary provides to the owner or operator of the establishment a statement of the reasons for such rejection. Reasons for the rejection may include that the establishment or the accredited person, as the case may be, has failed to fully respond to the request, or that the Secretary has concerns regarding the relationship between the establishment and such accredited person.

(II) If the Secretary rejects the selection of an accredited person by the owner or operator of a device establishment, the owner or operator may make an additional selection of an accredited person by submitting to the Secretary a notice that identifies the additional selection. Clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B), and subclause (I) of this clause, apply to the selection of an accredited person through a notice under the preceding sentence in the same manner and to the same extent as such provisions apply to a selection of an accredited person through a notice under subparagraph (A)(ii).

(iv) In the case of a device establishment that is denied clearance under clause (i) or (ii) or with respect to which the selection of the accredited person is rejected under clause (iii), the Secretary shall designate a person to review the statement of reasons, or statement summarizing such evidence, as the case may be, of the Secretary under such clause if, during the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the owner or operator of the establishment receives such statement, the owner or operator requests the review. The review shall commence not later than 30 days after the owner or operator requests the review, unless the Secretary and the owner or operator otherwise agree.

(7)(A) Persons accredited under paragraph (2) to conduct inspections shall record in writing their inspection observations and shall present the observations to the device establishment's designated representative and describe each observation. Additionally, such accredited person shall prepare an inspection report in a form and manner designated by the Secretary to conduct inspections, taking into consideration the goals of international harmonization of quality systems standards. Any official classification of the inspection shall be determined by the Secretary.

(B) At a minimum, an inspection report under subparagraph (A) shall identify the persons responsible for good manufacturing practice compliance at the inspected device establishment, the dates of the inspection, the scope of the inspection, and shall describe in detail each observation identified by the accredited person, identify other matters that relate to or may influence compliance with this chapter, and describe any recommendations during the inspection or at the inspection's closing meeting.

(C) An inspection report under subparagraph (A) shall be sent to the Secretary and to the designated representative of the inspected device establishment at the same time, but under no circumstances later than three weeks after the last day of the inspection. The report to the Secretary shall be accompanied by all written inspection observations previously provided to the designated representative of the establishment.

(D) Any statement or representation made by an employee or agent of a device establishment to a person accredited under paragraph (2) to conduct inspections shall be subject to section 1001 of title 18.

(E) If at any time during an inspection by an accredited person the accredited person discovers a condition that could cause or contribute to an unreasonable risk to the public health, the accredited person shall immediately notify the Secretary of the identification of the device establishment subject to inspection and such condition.

(F) For the purpose of setting risk-based inspectional priorities, the Secretary shall accept voluntary submissions of reports of audits assessing conformance with appropriate quality systems standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and identified by the Secretary in public notice. If the owner or operator of an establishment elects to submit audit reports under this subparagraph, the owner or operator shall submit all such audit reports with respect to the establishment during the preceding 2-year periods.

(8) Compensation for an accredited person shall be determined by agreement between the accredited person and the person who engages the services of the accredited person, and shall be paid by the person who engages such services.

(9) Nothing in this subsection affects the authority of the Secretary to inspect any device establishment pursuant to this chapter.

(10)(A) For fiscal year 2005 and each subsequent fiscal year, no device establishment may be inspected during the fiscal year involved by a person accredited under paragraph (2) if—

(i) of the amounts appropriated for salaries and expenses of the Food and Drug Administration for the preceding fiscal year (referred to in this subparagraph as the "first prior fiscal year"), the amount obligated by the Secretary for inspections of device establishments by the Secretary was less than the adjusted base amount applicable to such first prior fiscal year; and

(ii) of the amounts appropriated for salaries and expenses of the Food and Drug Administration for the fiscal year preceding the first prior fiscal year (referred to in this subparagraph as the "second prior fiscal year"), the amount obligated by the Secretary for inspections of device establishments by the Secretary was less than the adjusted base amount applicable to such second prior fiscal year.

(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the Comptroller General of the United States shall determine the amount that was obligated by the Secretary for fiscal year 2002 for compliance activities of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to devices (referred to in this subparagraph as the "compliance budget"), and of such amount, the amount that was obligated for inspections by the Secretary of device establishments (referred to in this subparagraph as the "inspection budget").

(ii) For purposes of determinations under clause (i), the Comptroller General shall not include in the compliance budget or the inspection budget any amounts obligated for inspections of device establishments conducted as part of the process of reviewing applications under section 360e of this title.

(iii) Not later than March 31, 2003, the Comptroller General shall complete the determinations required in this subparagraph and submit to the Secretary and the Congress a report describing the findings made through such determinations.

(C) For purposes of this paragraph:

(i) The term "base amount" means the inspection budget determined under subparagraph (B) for fiscal year 2002.

(ii) The term "adjusted base amount", in the case of applicability to fiscal year 2003, means an amount equal to the base amount increased by 5 percent.

(iii) The term "adjusted base amount", with respect to applicability to fiscal year 2004 or any subsequent fiscal year, means the adjusted base amount applicable to the preceding year increased by 5 percent.

(11) The authority provided by this subsection terminates on October 1, 2027.

(12) No later than four years after October 26, 2002, the Comptroller General shall report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate—

(A) the number of inspections conducted by accredited persons pursuant to this subsection and the number of inspections conducted by Federal employees pursuant to section 360(h) of this title and of device establishments required to register under section 360(i) of this title;

(B) the number of persons who sought accreditation under this subsection, as well as the number of persons who were accredited under this subsection;

(C) the reasons why persons who sought accreditation, but were denied accreditation, were denied;

(D) the number of audits conducted by the Secretary of accredited persons, the quality of inspections conducted by accredited persons, whether accredited persons are meeting their obligations under this chapter, and whether the number of audits conducted is sufficient to permit these assessments;

(E) whether this subsection is achieving the goal of ensuring more information about device establishment compliance is being presented to the Secretary, and whether that information is of a quality consistent with information obtained by the Secretary pursuant to inspections conducted by Federal employees;

(F) whether this subsection is advancing efforts to allow device establishments to rely upon third-party inspections for purposes of compliance with the laws of foreign governments; and

(G) whether the Congress should continue, modify, or terminate the program under this subsection.

(13) The Secretary shall include in the annual report required under section 393(g) of this title the names of all accredited persons and the particular activities under this subsection for which each such person is accredited and the name of each accredited person whose accreditation has been withdrawn during the year.

(14) Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection, this subsection does not have any legal effect on any agreement described in section 383(b) of this title between the Secretary and a foreign country.

(15)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary may recognize auditing organizations that are recognized by organizations established by governments to facilitate international harmonization for purposes of conducting inspections of—

(i) establishments that manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process devices (other than types of devices licensed under section 262 of title 42), as required under section 360(h) of this title; or

(ii) establishments required to register pursuant to section 360(i) of this title.

(B) Nothing in this paragraph affects—

(i) the authority of the Secretary to inspect any device establishment pursuant to this chapter; or

(ii) the authority of the Secretary to determine the official classification of an inspection.

(h) Improvements to inspections process for device establishments

(1) In the case of inspections other than for-cause inspections, the Secretary shall review processes and standards applicable to inspections of domestic and foreign device establishments in effect as of August 18, 2017, and update such processes and standards through the adoption of uniform processes and standards applicable to such inspections. Such uniform processes and standards shall provide for—

(A) exceptions to such processes and standards, as appropriate;

(B) announcing the inspection of the establishment within a reasonable time before such inspection occurs, including by providing to the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the establishment a notification regarding the type and nature of the inspection;

(C) a reasonable estimate of the timeframe for the inspection, an opportunity for advance communications between the officers or employees carrying out the inspection under subsection (a)(1) and the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the establishment concerning appropriate working hours during the inspection, and, to the extent feasible, advance notice of some records that will be requested; and

(D) regular communications during the inspection with the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the establishment regarding inspection status, which may be recorded by either party with advance notice and mutual consent.

(2)(A) The Secretary shall, with respect to a request described in subparagraph (B), provide nonbinding feedback with respect to such request not later than 45 days after the Secretary receives such request.

(B) A request described in this subparagraph is a request for feedback—

(i) that is made by the owner, operator, or agent in charge of such establishment in a timely manner; and

(ii) with respect to actions proposed to be taken by a device establishment in a response to a report received by such establishment pursuant to subsection (b) that involve a public health priority, that implicate systemic or major actions, or relate to emerging safety issues (as determined by the Secretary).

(3) Nothing in this subsection affects the authority of the Secretary to conduct inspections otherwise permitted under this chapter in order to ensure compliance with this chapter.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §704, 52 Stat. 1057; Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 350, §1, 67 Stat. 476; Pub. L. 87–781, title II, §201(a), (b), Oct. 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 792, 793; Pub. L. 94–295, §6, May 28, 1976, 90 Stat. 581; Pub. L. 96–359, §4, Sept. 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 1193; Pub. L. 103–80, §3(aa), Aug. 13, 1993, 107 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 105–115, title I, §125(b)(2)(L), title II, §210(b), title IV, §412(b), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2326, 2344, 2375; Pub. L. 107–188, title III, §306(b), June 12, 2002, 116 Stat. 670; Pub. L. 107–250, title II, §201(a), (b), Oct. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 1602, 1609; Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1), Apr. 1, 2004, 118 Stat. 573; Pub. L. 110–85, title II, §228, Sept. 27, 2007, 121 Stat. 855; Pub. L. 111–31, div. A, title I, §103(i), June 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1837; Pub. L. 111–353, title I, §101(b), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3887; Pub. L. 112–144, title VI, §612, title VII, §706, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1060, 1067; Pub. L. 115–52, title VII, §§702(a), 703, 705, Aug. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 1055–1057; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, §3112(d), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 362; Pub. L. 117–180, div. F, title V, §5007, Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2168; Pub. L. 117–229, div. C, title III, §306, Dec. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2312; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title II, §2515(a)(2), title III, §§3106, 3504, 3611(a), (b)(1), 3612(a), 3613(b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5806, 5807, 5859, 5869, 5872.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(5), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, 58 Stat. 682, which is classified generally to chapter 6A (§201 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 201 of Title 42 and Tables.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–328, §3611(a), substituted "devices" for "restricted devices" in two places.

Pub. L. 117–328, §3504, inserted "In the case of a facility (as defined in section 364 of this title) that manufactures or processes cosmetic products, the inspection shall extend to all records and other information described in sections 364a, 364b, and 364f of this title, when the standard for records inspection under such section applies." after "limitations established in section 350c(d) of this title."

Subsec. (a)(4)(A). Pub. L. 117–328, §3611(b)(1), substituted "an establishment that is engaged in the manufacture, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of a drug or device, or a site or facility that is subject to inspection under paragraph (5)(C)," for "an establishment that is engaged in the manufacture, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of a drug" and "records or other information requested and a rationale for requesting such records or other information in advance of, or in lieu of, an inspection." for "records requested."

Subsec. (a)(4)(C), (D). Pub. L. 117–328, §3613(b), added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 117–328, §3612(a), added par. (5).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–328, §2515(a)(2), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 116–136, §3112(d)(1). See 2020 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (g)(11). Pub. L. 117–328, §3106, substituted "October 1, 2027" for "December 24, 2022".

Pub. L. 117–229 substituted "December 24, 2022" for "December 17, 2022".

Pub. L. 117–180 substituted "December 17" for "October 1".

2020—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–136, §3112(d)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–328, §2515(a)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (1), and added par. (2).

2017—Subsec. (g)(11). Pub. L. 115–52, §703, substituted "October 1, 2022" for "October 1, 2017".

Subsec. (g)(15). Pub. L. 115–52, §705, added par. (15).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–52, §702(a), added subsec. (h).

2012—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 112–144, §706, added par. (4).

Subsec. (g)(11). Pub. L. 112–144, §612, substituted "October 1, 2017" for "October 1, 2012".

2011—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–353, which directed the amendment of subsec. (a)(1)(B) by substituting "section 350c of this title, when the standard for records inspection under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 350c(a) of this title applies, subject to" for "section 350c of this title when" and all that follows through "subject to", was executed by making the substitution for "section 350c of this title when the Secretary has a reasonable belief that an article of food is adulterated and presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals, subject to" in the sentence following subpar. (B) of subsec. (a)(1), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

2009—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–31, §103(i)(1)(C), substituted "devices, and tobacco products and subject to reporting and inspection under regulations lawfully issued pursuant to section 355(i) or (k) of this title, section 360i of this title, section 360j(g) of this title, or subchapter IX and data relating to other drugs, devices, or tobacco products" for "and devices and subject to reporting and inspection under regulations lawfully issued pursuant to section 355(i) or (k) section 360i, or 360j(g) of this title, and data relating to other drugs or devices".

Pub. L. 111–31, §103(i)(1)(B), substituted "restricted devices, or tobacco products" for "or restricted devices" in two places.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–31, §103(i)(1)(A), substituted "devices, tobacco products, or cosmetics" for "devices, or cosmetics" in two places.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–31, §103(i)(2), inserted "tobacco product," after "device,".

Subsec. (g)(13). Pub. L. 111–31, §103(i)(3), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 393(g) of this title.

2007—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 110–85, §228(1), substituted "The Secretary" for "Not later than one year after October 26, 2002, the Secretary".

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 110–85, §228(2), substituted "The Secretary" for "Not later than 180 days after October 26, 2002, the Secretary" and struck out at end "In the first year following the publication in the Federal Register of criteria to accredit or deny accreditation to persons who request to perform the duties specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall accredit no more than 15 persons who request to perform duties specified in paragraph (1)."

Subsec. (g)(3)(F), (G). Pub. L. 110–85, §228(3), added subpars. (F) and (G).

Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 110–85, §228(4), amended par. (6) generally, revising and restating provisions of former subpars. (A) to (C).

Subsec. (g)(7)(A). Pub. L. 110–85, §228(5)(A), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "Persons accredited under paragraph (2) to conduct inspections shall record in writing their inspection observations and shall present the observations to the device establishment's designated representative and describe each observation. Additionally, such accredited person shall prepare an inspection report (including for inspections classified as 'no action indicated') in a form and manner consistent with such reports prepared by employees and officials designated by the Secretary to conduct inspections."

Subsec. (g)(7)(F). Pub. L. 110–85, §228(5)(B), added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (g)(10)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 110–85, §228(6), substituted "base amount applicable" for "based amount applicable".

2004—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(A), in first sentence, substituted "conducting inspections of establishments that manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process class II or class III devices, which inspections are required under section 360(h) of this title or are inspections of such establishments required to register under section 360(i) of this title." for "conducting inspections of establishments that manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process class II or class III devices that are required in section 360(h) of this title, or inspections of such establishments required to register pursuant to section 360(i) of this title."

Subsec. (g)(5)(B). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(B), in first sentence, substituted "poses a threat to public health, fails to act in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this subsection, or where the Secretary determines that there is a financial conflict of interest in the relationship between the accredited person and the owner or operator of a device establishment that the accredited person has inspected under this subsection." for "or poses a threat to public health or fails to act in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this subsection."

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(i). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(i), substituted "described in paragraph (1)" for "of the establishment pursuant to subsection (h) or (i) of section 360 of this title".

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(ii)(I), substituted "inspections" for "each inspection" and inserted "during a 2-year period" after "person" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(ii)(II), substituted "an accredited person" for "such a person".

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(iii)(I), substituted "and 1 or both of the following additional conditions are met:" for "and the following additional conditions are met:" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(iii)(I). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(iii)(II), substituted "(accredited under paragraph (2) and identified under clause (ii)(II)) as a person authorized to conduct such inspections of device establishments." for "accredited under paragraph (2) and identified under subclause (II) of this clause."

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(iii)(II). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(iii)(III), inserted "or by a person accredited under paragraph (2)" after "by the Secretary".

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(iv)(I). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(iv), in first sentence, inserted "section" after "pursuant to" and substituted "inspections of the establishment during the previous 4 years" for "the two immediately preceding inspections of the establishment", in third sentence, struck out "the petition states a commercial reason for the waiver;" after "granted only if" and inserted "not" after "the Secretary has not determined that the public health would", and, in last sentence, substituted "granted or deemed to be granted until" for "granted until".

Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(iv)(II). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(C)(v), inserted "of a device establishment required to register" after "to be conducted" and "section" after "pursuant to".

Subsec. (g)(6)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(D), in first sentence, substituted "and with other" for ", and data otherwise describing whether the establishment has consistently been in compliance with sections 351 and 352 of this title and other" and, in second sentence, substituted "inspectional findings" for "inspections" and inserted "relevant" after "together with all other".

Subsec. (g)(6)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(E), designated existing provisions as subcl. (I) and added subcl. (II).

Subsec. (g)(6)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(F), struck out "in accordance with section 360(h) of this title, or has not during such period been inspected pursuant to section 360(i) of this title, as applicable" after "inspected by the Secretary".

Subsec. (g)(10)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(G), substituted "a report" for "a reporting".

Subsec. (g)(12)(A). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(H)(i), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "the number of inspections pursuant to subsections (h) and (i) of section 360 of this title conducted by accredited persons and the number of inspections pursuant to such subsections conducted by Federal employees;".

Subsec. (g)(12)(E). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(b)(1)(H)(ii), substituted "obtained by the Secretary pursuant to inspections conducted by Federal employees;" for "obtained by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (h) or (i) of section 360 of this title;".

2002—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–188, §306(b)(1), inserted after first sentence "In the case of any person (excluding farms and restaurants) who manufactures, processes, packs, transports, distributes, holds, or imports foods, the inspection shall extend to all records and other information described in section 350c of this title when the Secretary has a reasonable belief that an article of food is adulterated and presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals, subject to the limitations established in section 350c(d) of this title."

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 107–188, §306(b)(2), substituted "third sentence" for "second sentence" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 107–250, §201(b)(1), in first sentence, substituted "An accredited person described in paragraph (3) shall maintain records" for "A person accredited under section 360m of this title to review reports made under section 360(k) of this title and make recommendations of initial classifications of devices to the Secretary shall maintain records".

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 107–250, §201(b)(2), substituted "an accredited person described in paragraph (3)" for "a person accredited under section 360m of this title".

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 107–250, §201(b)(3), added par. (3).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–250, §201(a), added subsec. (g).

1997—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–115, §412(b), substituted "prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs intended for human use," for "prescription drugs" in two places.

Pub. L. 105–115, §125(b)(2)(L), struck out ", section 357(d) or (g)," before "section 360i".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–115, §210(b), added subsec. (f).

1993—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 103–80 substituted a comma for semicolon after "finished and unfinished materials" and "section 355(i) or (k)" for "section 355(i) or (j)".

1980—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 96–359, §4(1), (2), restructured first five sentences of former subsec. (a) as par. (1) and, as so restructured, inserted reference to paragraph (3) and substituted "(A)" and "(B)" for "(1)" and "(2)", respectively.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 96–359, §4(3), redesignated sixth sentence of former subsec. (a) as par. (2) and, as so redesignated, substituted reference to second sentence of paragraph (1) for reference to former second sentence of this subsection, and "(A)", "(B)", "(C)", and "(D)", for "(1)", "(2)", "(3)", and "(4)", respectively.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 96–359, §4(4), added par. (3).

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–295, §6(a)–(c), expanded existing provisions to encompass medical devices by inserting references to factories, warehouses, establishments, and consulting laboratories in which restricted devices are manufactured, processed, packed, or held, inspections relating to devices, reporting and inspection regulations issued pursuant to sections 360i and 360j(g) of this title, and the manufacture and processing of devices.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–295, §6(d), added subsec. (e).

1962—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–781, §201(a), extended the inspection, where prescription drugs are manufactured, processed, packed, or held, to all things bearing on whether adulterated or misbranded drugs, or any which may not be manufactured, introduced in interstate commerce, or sold or offered for sale under any provision of this chapter, have been or are being manufactured, processed, packed, transported or held in any such place, or otherwise bearing on violation of this chapter, but excluded from such inspection, data concerning finance, sales other than shipment, pricing, personnel other than qualifications of technical and professional personnel, research other than relating to new drugs subject to reporting, provided that provisions of second sentence of this subsection shall be inapplicable to pharmacies, practitioners and other persons enumerated in pars. (1) to (4), and struck out "are held" before "after such introduction".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87–781, §201(b), inserted "consulting laboratory" after "warehouse".

1953—Act Aug. 7, 1953, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and amended them by substituting provisions permitting entry and inspection upon presentation of appropriate credentials and a written notice to the owner, operator, or agent in charge for provisions which authorized entry and inspection only after making a request and obtaining permission from the owner, operator, or custodian, and inserting provisions requiring a separate written notice for each inspection but not for each entry made during the period covered by the inspection, and directing that the inspection shall be conducted within reasonable limits, in a reasonable manner and completed with reasonable promptness, and added subsecs. (b) to (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2020 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–136 effective 180 days after Mar. 27, 2020, see section 3112(g) of Pub. L. 116–136, set out as a note under section 356c of this title.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by sections 210(b) and 412(b) of Pub. L. 105–115 effective 90 days after Nov. 21, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–115, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–781 effective Oct. 10, 1962, see section 203 of Pub. L. 87–781, set out as a note under section 332 of this title.

Construction of 2011 Amendment

Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 111–353 to be construed to apply to certain alcohol-related facilities, to alter jurisdiction and authorities established under certain other Acts, or in a manner inconsistent with international agreements to which the United States is a party, see sections 2206, 2251, and 2252 of this title.

Review of Processes and Practices; Guidance for Industry

Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §3612(b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5871, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Health and Human Services] shall—

"(A) review processes and practices in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022] applicable to inspections of foreign and domestic sites and facilities described in subparagraph (C)(i) of section 704(a)(5) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 374(a)(5)], as added by subsection (a); and

"(B) evaluate whether any updates are needed to facilitate the consistency of such processes and practices.

"(2) Guidance.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall issue guidance describing the processes and practices applicable to inspections of sites and facilities described in subparagraph (C)(i) of section 704(a)(5) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as added by subsection (a), including with respect to the types of records and information required to be provided, best practices for communication between the Food and Drug Administration and industry in advance of or during an inspection or request for records or other information, and other inspections-related conduct, to the extent not specified in existing publicly available Food and Drug Administration guides and manuals for such inspections.

"(B) Timing.—The Secretary shall—

"(i) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, issue draft guidance under subparagraph (A); and

"(ii) not later than 1 year after the close of the public comment period for such draft guidance, issue final guidance under subparagraph (A)."

Unannounced Foreign Facility Inspections Pilot Program

Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §3615, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5873, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Health and Human Services] shall conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary increases the conduct of unannounced surveillance inspections of foreign human drug establishments and evaluates the differences between such inspections of domestic and foreign human drug establishments, including the impact of announcing inspections to persons who own or operate foreign human drug establishments in advance of an inspection. Such pilot program shall evaluate—

"(1) differences in the number and type of violations of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B)) identified as a result of unannounced and announced inspections of foreign human drug establishments and any other significant differences between each type of inspection;

"(2) costs and benefits associated with conducting announced and unannounced inspections of foreign human drug establishments;

"(3) barriers to conducting unannounced inspections of foreign human drug establishments and any challenges to achieving parity between domestic and foreign human drug establishment inspections; and

"(4) approaches for mitigating any negative effects of conducting announced inspections of foreign human drug establishments.

"(b) Pilot Program Scope.—The inspections evaluated under the pilot program under this section shall be routine surveillance inspections and shall not include inspections conducted as part of the Secretary's evaluation of a request for approval to market a drug submitted under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.).

"(c) Pilot Program Initiation.—The Secretary shall initiate the pilot program under this section not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022].

"(d) Report.—The Secretary shall, not later than 180 days following the completion of the pilot program under this section, make available on the website of the Food and Drug Administration a final report on the pilot program under this section, including—

"(1) findings and any associated recommendations with respect to the evaluation under subsection (a), including any recommendations to address identified barriers to conducting unannounced inspections of foreign human drug establishments;

"(2) findings and any associated recommendations regarding how the Secretary may achieve parity between domestic and foreign human drug inspections; and

"(3) the number of unannounced inspections during the pilot program that would not be unannounced under practices in use as of the date of the enactment of this Act."

Guidance

Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §3611(b)(2), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5869, provided that:

"(A) In general.—The Secretary [of Health and Human Services] shall issue or update guidance describing—

"(i) circumstances in which the Secretary intends to issue requests for records or other information in advance of, or in lieu of, an inspection under section 704(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 374(a)(4)], as amended by paragraph (1);

"(ii) processes for responding to such requests electronically or in physical form; and

"(iii) factors the Secretary intends to consider in evaluating whether such records and other information are provided within a reasonable timeframe, within reasonable limits, and in a reasonable manner, accounting for resource and other limitations that may exist, including for small businesses.

"(B) Timing.—The Secretary shall—

"(i) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], issue draft guidance under subparagraph (A); and

"(ii) not later than 1 year after the close of the comment period for such draft guidance, issue final guidance under subparagraph (A)."

Pub. L. 115–52, title VII, §702(b), Aug. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 1055, provided that:

"(1) Draft guidance.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 18, 2017], the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall issue draft guidance that—

"(A) specifies how the Food and Drug Administration will implement the processes and standards described in paragraph (1) of subsection (h) of section 704 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 374), as added by subsection (a), and the requirements described in paragraph (2) of such subsection (h);

"(B) provides for standardized methods for communications described in such paragraphs;

"(C) establishes, with respect to inspections of both domestic and foreign device establishments (as referred to in section 510(h)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 360(h)(2)], as amended by subsection (a) [of section 701 of Pub. L. 115–52]), a standard timeframe for such inspections—

"(i) that occurs over consecutive days; and

"(ii) to which each investigator conducting such an inspection shall adhere unless the investigator identifies to the establishment involved a reason that more time is needed to conduct such investigation; and

"(D) identifies practices for investigators and device establishments to facilitate the continuity of inspections of such establishments.

"(2) Final guidance.—Not later than 1 year after providing notice and opportunity for public comment on the draft guidance issued under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue final guidance to implement subsection (h) of section 704 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 374), as added by subsection (a)."

Inspections

Pub. L. 115–52, title VIII, §806, Aug. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 1073, provided that:

"Within 6 months of the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 18, 2017], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop and implement a protocol for expediting review of timely responses to reports of observations from an inspection under section 704 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 374). Such protocol shall—

"(1) apply to responses to such reports pertaining to applications submitted under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355)—

"(A) for which the approval is dependent upon remediation of conditions identified in the report;

"(B) for which concerns related to observations from an inspection under such section 704 are the only barrier to approval; and

"(C) where the drug that is the subject of the application is a drug—

"(i) for which there are not more than 3 other approved applications under section 505(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(j)) that reference the same listed drug and for which there are less than 6 abbreviated new drug applications tentatively approved; or

"(ii) that is included on the list under section 506E of such Act (21 U.S.C. 356e);

"(2) address expedited re-inspection of facilities, as appropriate; and

"(3) establish a 6-month timeline for completion of review of such responses to such reports."

Authority of Secretary Prior to October 10, 1962

Pub. L. 87–781, title II, §201(d), Oct. 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 793, provided that: "Nothing in the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this section [amending this section] shall be construed to negate or derogate from any authority of the Secretary existing prior to the enactment of this Act [Oct. 10, 1962]."

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under section 321 of this title.

§374a. Inspections relating to food allergens

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct inspections consistent with the authority under section 374 of this title of facilities in which foods are manufactured, processed, packed, or held—

(1) to ensure that the entities operating the facilities comply with practices to reduce or eliminate cross-contact of a food with residues of major food allergens that are not intentional ingredients of the food; and

(2) to ensure that major food allergens are properly labeled on foods.

(Pub. L. 108–282, title II, §205, Aug. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 909.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as a part of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, and not as part of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which comprises this chapter.

§375. Publicity

(a) Reports

The Secretary shall cause to be published from time to time reports summarizing all judgments, decrees, and court orders which have been rendered under this chapter, including the nature of the charge and the disposition thereof.

(b) Information regarding certain goods

The Secretary may also cause to be disseminated information regarding food, drugs, devices, tobacco products, or cosmetics in situations involving, in the opinion of the Secretary, imminent danger to health or gross deception of the consumer. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from collecting, reporting, and illustrating the results of the investigations of the Department.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §705, 52 Stat. 1057; Pub. L. 111–31, div. A, title I, §103(j), June 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1837.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–31 inserted "tobacco products," after "devices,".

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under section 321 of this title.

§376. Examination of sea food on request of packer; marking food with results; fees; penalties

The Secretary, upon application of any packer of any sea food for shipment or sale within the jurisdiction of this chapter, may, at his discretion, designate inspectors to examine and inspect such food and the production, packing, and labeling thereof. If on such examination and inspection compliance is found with the provisions of this chapter and regulations promulgated thereunder, the applicant shall be authorized or required to mark the food as provided by regulation to show such compliance. Services under this section shall be rendered only upon payment by the applicant of fees fixed by regulation in such amounts as may be necessary to provide, equip, and maintain an adequate and efficient inspection service. Receipts from such fees shall be covered into the Treasury and shall be available to the Secretary for expenditures incurred in carrying out the purposes of this section, including expenditures for salaries of additional inspectors when necessary to supplement the number of inspectors for whose salaries Congress has appropriated. The Secretary is authorized to promulgate regulations governing the sanitary and other conditions under which the service herein provided shall be granted and maintained, and for otherwise carrying out the purposes of this section. Any person who forges, counterfeits, simulates, or falsely represents, or without proper authority uses any mark, stamp, tag, label, or other identification devices authorized or required by the provisions of this section or regulations thereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall on conviction thereof be subject to imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, or both such imprisonment and fine.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §706, formerly §702A, formerly June 30, 1906, ch. 3915, §10A, as added June 22, 1934, ch. 712, 48 Stat. 1204; amended Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 739, 49 Stat. 871; June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §1002(a), formerly §902(a), 52 Stat. 1059, renumbered §1002(a), Pub. L. 111–31, div. A, title I, §101(b)(2), June 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1784; renumbered §702A of act June 25, 1938, July 12, 1943, ch. 221, title II, 57 Stat. 500; Pub. L. 102–300, §6(b)(2), June 16, 1992, 106 Stat. 240; renumbered §706, Pub. L. 102–571, title I, §106(3), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4498; Pub. L. 103–80, §3(dd)(2), Aug. 13, 1993, 107 Stat. 779.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 372a of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 102–571.

Section, which formerly was not a part of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, originally was classified to section 14a of this title. Section 1002(a) of act June 25, 1938, set out as an Effective Date note under section 301 of this title, provided that the section should remain in force and effect and be applicable to the provisions of this chapter. Act July 12, 1943, renumbered this section as 702A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 376, act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §706, 52 Stat. 1058, as amended, which related to listing and certification of color additives for foods, drugs, devices, and cosmetics, was renumbered section 721 of act June 25, 1938, by Pub. L. 102–571, title I, §106(4), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4498, and transferred to section 379e of this title.

Amendments

1993—Pub. L. 103–80 struck out "of Agriculture" after "Secretary" in two places.

1992—Pub. L. 102–300, which directed the amendment of the section by striking out "of Health, Education, and Welfare" wherever appearing, could not be executed because such words did not appear in the original statutory text. See 1993 Amendment note above and Transfer of Functions note below.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

Secretary and Department of Health, Education, and Welfare redesignated Secretary and Department of Health and Human Services by Pub. L. 96–88, title V, §509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under section 321 of this title.

§377. Revision of United States Pharmacopoeia; development of analysis and mechanical and physical tests

The Secretary, in carrying into effect the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], is authorized on and after July 12, 1943, to cooperate with associations and scientific societies in the revision of the United States Pharmacopoeia and in the development of methods of analysis and mechanical and physical tests necessary to carry out the work of the Food and Drug Administration.

(July 12, 1943, ch. 221, title II, 57 Stat. 500; 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 1, §5, eff. Apr. 11, 1953, 18 F.R. 2053, 67 Stat. 631.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in text, is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, 52 Stat. 1040, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 301 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Labor-Federal Security Appropriation Act, 1944, and not as part of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which comprises this chapter.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under section 321 of this title.

§378. Advertising of foods

(a) Determination of misbranding; notification of Federal Trade Commission by Secretary; contents

(1) Except as provided in subsection (c), before the Secretary may initiate any action under subchapter III—

(A) with respect to any food which the Secretary determines is misbranded under section 343(a)(2) of this title because of its advertising, or

(B) with respect to a food's advertising which the Secretary determines causes the food to be so misbranded,

the Secretary shall, in accordance with paragraph (2), notify in writing the Federal Trade Commission of the action the Secretary proposes to take respecting such food or advertising.

(2) The notice required by paragraph (1) shall—

(A) contain (i) a description of the action the Secretary proposes to take and of the advertising which the Secretary has determined causes a food to be misbranded, (ii) a statement of the reasons for the Secretary's determination that such advertising has caused such food to be misbranded, and

(B) be accompanied by the records, documents, and other written materials which the Secretary determines supports his determination that such food is misbranded because of such advertising.

(b) Action by Federal Trade Commission precluding action by Secretary; exception

(1) If the Secretary notifies the Federal Trade Commission under subsection (a) of action proposed to be taken under subchapter III with respect to a food or food advertising and the Commission notifies the Secretary in writing, within the 30-day period beginning on the date of the receipt of such notice, that—

(A) it has initiated under the Federal Trade Commission Act [15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.] an investigation of such advertising to determine if it is prohibited by such Act or any order or rule under such Act,

(B) it has commenced (or intends to commence) a civil action under section 5, 13, or 19 [15 U.S.C. 45, 53, or 57b] with respect to such advertising or the Attorney General has commenced (or intends to commence) a civil action under section 5 [15 U.S.C. 45] with respect to such advertising,

(C) it has issued and served (or intends to issue and serve) a complaint under section 5(b) of such Act [15 U.S.C. 45(b)] respecting such advertising, or

(D) pursuant to section 16(b) of such Act [15 U.S.C. 56(b)] it has made a certification to the Attorney General respecting such advertising,

the Secretary may not, except as provided by paragraph (2), initiate the action described in the Secretary's notice to the Federal Trade Commission.

(2) If, before the expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date the Secretary receives a notice described in paragraph (1) from the Federal Trade Commission in response to a notice of the Secretary under subsection (a)—

(A) the Commission or the Attorney General does not commence a civil action described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection respecting the advertising described in the Secretary's notice,

(B) the Commission does not issue and serve a complaint described in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph respecting such advertising, or

(C) the Commission does not (as described in subparagraph (D) of such paragraph) make a certification to the Attorney General respecting such advertising, or, if the Commission does make such a certification to the Attorney General respecting such advertising, the Attorney General, before the expiration of such period, does not cause appropriate criminal proceedings to be brought against such advertising,

the Secretary may, after the expiration of such period, initiate the action described in the notice to the Commission pursuant to subsection (a). The Commission shall promptly notify the Secretary of the commencement by the Commission of such a civil action, the issuance and service by it of such a complaint, or the causing by the Attorney General of criminal proceedings to be brought against such advertising.

(c) Secretary's determination of imminent hazard to health as suspending applicability of provisions

The requirements of subsections (a) and (b) do not apply with respect to action under subchapter III with respect to any food or food advertising if the Secretary determines that such action is required to eliminate an imminent hazard to health.

(d) Coordination of action by Secretary with Federal Trade Commission

For the purpose of avoiding unnecessary duplication, the Secretary shall coordinate any action taken under subchapter III because of advertising which the Secretary determines causes a food to be misbranded with any action of the Federal Trade Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act [15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.] with respect to such advertising.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §707, as added Pub. L. 94–278, title V, §502(b), Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 412.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Trade Commission Act, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (d), is act Sept. 26, 1914, ch. 311, 38 Stat. 717, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§41 et seq.) of chapter 2 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 58 of Title 15 and Tables.

§379. Confidential information

(a) Contractors

The Secretary may provide any information which is exempt from disclosure pursuant to subsection (a) of section 552 of title 5 by reason of subsection (b)(4) of such section to a person other than an officer or employee of the Department if the Secretary determines such other person requires the information in connection with an activity which is undertaken under contract with the Secretary, which relates to the administration of this chapter, and with respect to which the Secretary (or an officer or employee of the Department) is not prohibited from using such information. The Secretary shall require as a condition to the provision of information under this section that the person receiving it take such security precautions respecting the information as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.

(b) Ability to receive and protect confidential information obtained from foreign governments

(1) In general

The Secretary shall not be required to disclose under section 552 of title 5 (commonly referred to as the "Freedom of Information Act"), or any other provision of law, any information relating to drugs obtained from a foreign government agency, if—

(A) the information concerns the inspection of a facility, is part of an investigation, alerts the United States to the potential need for an investigation, or concerns a drug that has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals;

(B) the information is provided or made available to the United States Government voluntarily on the condition that it not be released to the public; and

(C) the information is covered by, and subject to, a written agreement between the Secretary and the foreign government.

(2) Time limitations

The written agreement described in paragraph (1)(C) shall specify the time period for which paragraph (1) shall apply to the voluntarily disclosed information. Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to such information after the date specified in such agreement, but all other applicable legal protections, including the provisions of section 552 of title 5 and section 247d–7e(e)(1) of title 42, as applicable, shall continue to apply to such information. If no date is specified in the written agreement, paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to such information for a period of more than 36 months.

(3) Disclosures not affected

Nothing in this section authorizes any official to withhold, or to authorize the withholding of, information from Congress or information required to be disclosed pursuant to an order of a court of the United States.

(4) Relation to other law

For purposes of section 552 of title 5, this subsection shall be considered a statute described in subsection (b)(3)(B) of such section 552.

(c) Authority to enter into memoranda of understanding for purposes of information exchange

The Secretary may enter into written agreements to provide information referenced in section 331(j) of this title to foreign governments subject to the following criteria:

(1) Certification

The Secretary may enter into a written agreement to provide information under this subsection to a foreign government only if the Secretary has certified such government as having the authority and demonstrated ability to protect trade secret information from disclosure. Responsibility for this certification shall not be delegated to any officer or employee other than the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

(2) Written agreement

The written agreement to provide information to the foreign government under this subsection shall include a commitment by the foreign government to protect information exchanged under this subsection from disclosure unless and until the sponsor gives written permission for disclosure or the Secretary makes a declaration of a public health emergency pursuant to section 247d of title 42 that is relevant to the information.

(3) Information exchange

The Secretary may provide to a foreign government that has been certified under paragraph (1) and that has executed a written agreement under paragraph (2) information referenced in section 331(j) of this title in only the following circumstances:

(A) Information concerning the inspection of a facility may be provided to a foreign government if—

(i) the Secretary reasonably believes, or the written agreement described in paragraph (2) establishes, that the government has authority to otherwise obtain such information; and

(ii) the written agreement executed under paragraph (2) limits the recipient's use of the information to the recipient's civil regulatory purposes.

(B) Information not described in subparagraph (A) may be provided as part of an investigation, or to alert the foreign government to the potential need for an investigation, if the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that a drug has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.

(4) Effect of subsection

Nothing in this subsection affects the ability of the Secretary to enter into any written agreement authorized by other provisions of law to share confidential information.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §708, as added Pub. L. 94–295, §8, May 28, 1976, 90 Stat. 582; amended Pub. L. 112–144, title VII, §710, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1070.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–144 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsecs. (b) and (c).

§379a. Presumption of existence of jurisdiction

In any action to enforce the requirements of this chapter respecting a device, tobacco product, food, drug, or cosmetic the connection with interstate commerce required for jurisdiction in such action shall be presumed to exist.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §709, as added Pub. L. 94–295, §8, May 28, 1976, 90 Stat. 583; amended Pub. L. 105–115, title IV, §419, Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2379; Pub. L. 111–31, div. A, title I, §103(k), June 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1837.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2009—Pub. L. 111–31 inserted "tobacco product," after "device,".

1997—Pub. L. 105–115 substituted "a device, food, drug, or cosmetic" for "a device".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–115 effective 90 days after Nov. 21, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–115, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

§379b. Consolidated administrative and laboratory facility

(a) Authority

The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the General Services Administration, shall enter into contracts for the design, construction, and operation of a consolidated Food and Drug Administration administrative and laboratory facility.

(b) Awarding of contract

The Secretary shall solicit contract proposals under subsection (a) from interested parties. In awarding contracts under such subsection, the Secretary shall review such proposals and give priority to those alternatives that are the most cost effective for the Federal Government and that allow for the use of donated land, federally owned property, or lease-purchase arrangements. A contract under this subsection shall not be entered into unless such contract results in a net cost savings to the Federal Government over the duration of the contract, as compared to the Government purchase price including borrowing by the Secretary of the Treasury.

(c) Donations

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall have the power, in connection with real property, buildings, and facilities, to accept on behalf of the Food and Drug Administration gifts or donations of services or property, real or personal, as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the subsequent fiscal years, to remain available until expended.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §710, as added Pub. L. 101–635, title I, §101, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4583.)

§379c. Transferred

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §711, as added Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–635, title II, §201, 104 Stat. 4584, which related to recovery and retention of fees for freedom of information requests, was renumbered section 731 of act June 25, 1938, by Pub. L. 102–571, title I, §106(6), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4499, and transferred to section 379f of this title.

§379d. Automation of Food and Drug Administration

(a) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall automate appropriate activities of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure timely review of activities regulated under this chapter.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated each fiscal year such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §711, formerly §712, as added Pub. L. 101–635, title IV, §401, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4585; renumbered §711, Pub. L. 102–571, title I, §106(3), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4498.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 711 of act June 25, 1938, was renumbered section 731 by Pub. L. 102–571 and is classified to section 379f of this title.

§379d–1. Conflicts of interest

(a) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1) Advisory committee

The term "advisory committee" means an advisory committee under chapter 10 of title 5 that provides advice or recommendations to the Secretary regarding activities of the Food and Drug Administration.

(2) Financial interest

The term "financial interest" means a financial interest under section 208(a) of title 18.

(b) Recruitment for advisory committees

(1) In general

The Secretary shall—

(A) develop and implement strategies on effective outreach to potential members of advisory committees at universities, colleges, other academic research centers, professional and medical societies, and patient and consumer groups;

(B) seek input from professional medical and scientific societies to determine the most effective informational and recruitment activities;

(C) at least every 180 days, request referrals for potential members of advisory committees from a variety of stakeholders, including—

(i) product developers, patient groups, and disease advocacy organizations; and

(ii) relevant—

(I) professional societies;

(II) medical societies;

(III) academic organizations; and

(IV) governmental organizations; and

(D) in carrying out subparagraphs (A) and (B), take into account the levels of activity (including the numbers of annual meetings) and the numbers of vacancies of the advisory committees.

(2) Recruitment activities

The recruitment activities under paragraph (1) may include—

(A) advertising the process for becoming an advisory committee member at medical and scientific society conferences;

(B) making widely available, including by using existing electronic communications channels, the contact information for the Food and Drug Administration point of contact regarding advisory committee nominations; and

(C) developing a method through which an entity receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Veterans Health Administration can identify a person whom the Food and Drug Administration can contact regarding the nomination of individuals to serve on advisory committees.

(3) Expertise

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall seek to ensure that the Secretary has access to the most current expert advice.

(c) Disclosure of determinations and certifications

Notwithstanding section 13109(a)(2) of title 5, the following shall apply:

(1) 15 or more days in advance

As soon as practicable, but (except as provided in paragraph (2)) not later than 15 days prior to a meeting of an advisory committee to which a written determination as referred to in section 208(b)(1) of title 18 or a written certification as referred to in section 208(b)(3) of such title, applies, the Secretary shall disclose (other than information exempted from disclosure under section 552 or section 552a of title 5 (popularly known as the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, respectively)) on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration—

(A) the type, nature, and magnitude of the financial interests of the advisory committee member to which such determination or certification applies; and

(B) the reasons of the Secretary for such determination or certification, including, as appropriate, the public health interest in having the expertise of the member with respect to the particular matter before the advisory committee.

(2) Less than 30 days in advance

In the case of a financial interest that becomes known to the Secretary less than 30 days prior to a meeting of an advisory committee to which a written determination as referred to in section 208(b)(1) of title 18 or a written certification as referred to in section 208(b)(3) of such title applies, the Secretary shall disclose (other than information exempted from disclosure under section 552 or 552a of title 5) on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration, the information described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) as soon as practicable after the Secretary makes such determination or certification, but in no case later than the date of such meeting.

(d) Public record

The Secretary shall ensure that the public record and transcript of each meeting of an advisory committee includes the disclosure required under subsection (c) (other than information exempted from disclosure under section 552 of title 5 and section 552a of title 5).

(e) Annual report

(1) In general

Not later than February 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report that describes—

(A) with respect to the fiscal year that ended on September 30 of the previous year, the number of persons nominated for participation at meetings for each advisory committee, the number of persons so nominated, and willing to serve, the number of vacancies on each advisory committee, and the number of persons contacted for service as members on each advisory committee meeting for each advisory committee who did not participate because of the potential for such participation to constitute a disqualifying financial interest under section 208 of title 18;

(B) with respect to such year, the number of persons contacted for service as members for each advisory committee meeting for each advisory committee who did not participate because of reasons other than the potential for such participation to constitute a disqualifying financial interest under section 208 of title 18;

(C) with respect to such year, the number of members attending meetings for each advisory committee; and

(D) with respect to such year, the aggregate number of disclosures required under subsection (d) and the percentage of individuals to whom such disclosures did not apply who served on such committee.

(2) Public availability

Not later than 30 days after submitting any report under paragraph (1) to the committees specified in such paragraph, the Secretary shall make each such report available to the public.

(f) Periodic review of guidance

Not less than once every 5 years, the Secretary shall—

(1) review guidance of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to advisory committees regarding disclosure of conflicts of interest and the application of section 208 of title 18; and

(2) update such guidance as necessary to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration receives appropriate access to needed scientific expertise, with due consideration of the requirements of such section 208.

(g) Guidance on reported disclosed financial interest or involvement

The Secretary shall issue guidance that describes how the Secretary reviews the financial interests and involvement of advisory committee members that are disclosed under subsection (c) but that the Secretary determines not to meet the definition of a disqualifying interest under section 208 of title 18 for the purposes of participating in a particular matter.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §712, as added Pub. L. 110–85, title VII, §701(a), Sept. 27, 2007, 121 Stat. 900; amended Pub. L. 112–144, title XI, §1142(a), July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1127; Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title III, §3101(a)(2)(U), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1155; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(159), (c)(29), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4323, 4357.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Privacy Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(A), is Pub. L. 93–579, Dec. 31, 1974, 88 Stat. 1896, which enacted section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and provisions set out as notes under section 552a of Title 5. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1974 Amendment note set out under section 552a of Title 5 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 712 of act June 25, 1938, was renumbered section 711 by Pub. L. 102–571 and is classified to section 379d of this title.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(159), substituted "chapter 10 of title 5" for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–286, §4(c)(29), substituted "section 13109(a)(2) of title 5," for "section 107(a)(2) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978,".

2016—Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 114–255 substituted "service as members" for "services as members".

2012—Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 112–144, §1142(a)(1), added subsecs. (b) and (c) and struck out former subsecs. (b) and (c) which related to appointments to advisory committees and disclosures, prohibitions on participation, and waivers.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–144, §1142(a)(2), substituted "subsection (c)" for "subsection (c)(3)".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–144, §1142(a)(3), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) related to annual report.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–144, §1142(a)(4), substituted "shall—" for "shall review guidance of the Food and Drug Administration regarding conflict of interest waiver determinations with respect to advisory committees and update such guidance as necessary." and added pars. (1) and (2).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–144, §1142(a)(5), added subsec. (g).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–144, title XI, §1142(b), July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1130, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] apply beginning on October 1, 2012."

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2007, see section 701(c) of Pub. L. 110–85, set out as an Effective Date of 2007 Amendment note under section 355 of this title.

§379d–2. Policy on the review and clearance of scientific articles published by FDA employees

(a) Definition

In this section, the term "article" means a paper, poster, abstract, book, book chapter, or other published writing.

(b) Policies

The Secretary, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall establish and make publicly available clear written policies to implement this section and govern the timely submission, review, clearance, and disclaimer requirements for articles.

(c) Timing of submission for review

If an officer or employee, including a Staff Fellow and a contractor who performs staff work, of the Food and Drug Administration is directed by the policies established under subsection (b) to submit an article to the supervisor of such officer or employee, or to some other official of the Food and Drug Administration, for review and clearance before such officer or employee may seek to publish or present such an article at a conference, such officer or employee shall submit such article for such review and clearance not less than 30 days before submitting the article for publication or presentation.

(d) Timing for review and clearance

The supervisor or other reviewing official shall review such article and provide written clearance, or written clearance on the condition of specified changes being made, to such officer or employee not later than 30 days after such officer or employee submitted such article for review.

(e) Non-timely review

If, 31 days after such submission under subsection (c), the supervisor or other reviewing official has not cleared or has not reviewed such article and provided written clearance, such officer or employee may consider such article not to have been cleared and may submit the article for publication or presentation with an appropriate disclaimer as specified in the policies established under subsection (b).

(f) Effect

Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting any restrictions on such publication or presentation provided by other provisions of law.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §713, as added Pub. L. 110–85, title XI, §1101, Sept. 27, 2007, 121 Stat. 971.)

§379d–3. Streamlined hiring authority

(a) In general

In addition to any other personnel authorities under other provisions of law, the Secretary may, without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, appoint employees to positions in the Food and Drug Administration to perform, administer, or support activities described in subsection (b), if the Secretary determines that such appointments are needed to achieve the objectives specified in subsection (c).

(b) Activities described

The activities described in this subsection are—

(1) activities under this chapter related to the process for the review of device applications (as defined in section 379i(9) of this title); and

(2) activities under this chapter related to human generic drug activities (as defined in section 379j–41 of this title).

(c) Objectives specified

The objectives specified in this subsection are—

(1) with respect to the activities under subsection (b)(1), the goals referred to in section 379j–1(a)(1) of this title; and

(2) with respect to the activities under subsection (b)(2), the goals referred to in section 379j–43(a) of this title.

(d) Internal controls

The Secretary shall institute appropriate internal controls for appointments under this section.

(e) Sunset

The authority to appoint employees under this section shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after July 9, 2012.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §714, as added and amended Pub. L. 112–144, title II, §208, title III, §307, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1007, 1025; Pub. L. 115–52, title II, §202(b), Aug. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 1013.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–52 substituted "379i(9)" for "379i(8)".

2012—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–144, §307(1), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The activities described in this subsection are activities under this chapter related to the process for the review of device applications (as defined in section 379i(8) of this title)."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–144, §307(2), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The objectives specified in this subsection are with respect to the activities under subsection (b), the goals referred to in section 379j–1(a)(1) of this title."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–52 effective Oct. 1, 2017, with fees under subpart 3 of part C of this subchapter to be assessed for all submissions listed in section 379j(a)(2)(A) of this title received on or after Oct. 1, 2017, see section 209 of Pub. L. 115–52, set out as a note under section 379i of this title.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by section 307 of Pub. L. 112–144 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 305 of Pub. L. 112–144, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates note under section 379j–41 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 206 of Pub. L. 112–144, set out as an Effective Date of 2012 Amendment note under section 379i of this title.

§379d–3a. Hiring authority for scientific, technical, and professional personnel

(a) In general

The Secretary may, notwithstanding title 5, governing appointments in the competitive service, appoint outstanding and qualified candidates to scientific, technical, or professional positions, including cross-cutting operational positions, that support the development, review, and regulation of medical products and the regulation of food and cosmetics. Such positions shall be within the competitive service.

(b) Compensation

(1) In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any requirement with respect to General Schedule pay rates under subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, and consistent with the requirements of paragraph (2), the Commissioner of Food and Drugs may determine and set—

(A) the annual rate of pay of any individual appointed under subsection (a); and

(B) for purposes of retaining qualified employees, the annual rate of pay for any qualified scientific, technical, or professional personnel appointed to a position described in subsection (a) before December 13, 2016.

(2) Limitation

The annual rate of pay established pursuant to paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of annual compensation (excluding expenses) specified in section 102 of title 3.

(3) Public availability

The annual rate of pay provided to an individual in accordance with this section shall be publicly available information.

(c) Rule of construction

The authorities under this section shall not be construed to affect the authority provided under section 379d–3 of this title.

(d) Report on workforce planning

(1) In general

Not later than 18 months after December 29, 2022, the Secretary shall submit a report on workforce planning to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that includes—

(A) an updated analysis of the workforce needs at the Food and Drug Administration and the Secretary's strategic plan for addressing such needs, including through use of the authority under this section;

(B) an analysis of how the Secretary has used the authorities provided under this section, and a plan for how the Secretary will use the authority under this section, and other applicable hiring authorities, for employees of the Food and Drug Administration; and

(C) an updated recruitment and retention plan for hiring qualified scientific, technical, and professional candidates, which may include the use of—

(i) recruitment through nongovernmental recruitment or placement agencies;

(ii) recruitment through academic institutions;

(iii) recruitment or hiring bonuses, if applicable;

(iv) recruitment using targeted direct hiring authorities; and

(v) retention of qualified scientific, technical, and professional employees using the authority under this section, or other applicable authorities of the Secretary.

(2) Recommendations

The report under paragraph (1) may include the recommendations of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs that would help the Food and Drug Administration to better recruit and retain qualified individuals for scientific, technical, or professional positions at the agency.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §714A, as added Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title III, §3072(a), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1134; amended Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §3624, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5879.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–328, §3624(1), inserted ", including cross-cutting operational positions," after "professional positions" and "and the regulation of food and cosmetics" after "medical products".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 117–328, §3624(2)(A), in introductory provisions, substituted "December 29, 2022" for "December 13, 2016" and "that includes" for "that examines the extent to which the Food and Drug Administration has a critical need for qualified individuals for scientific, technical, or professional positions, including".

Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 117–328, §3624(2)(B), inserted "updated" before "analysis" and substituted semicolon for "; and".

Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 117–328, §3624(2)(D), added subpar. (B). Former subpar. (B) redesignated (C).

Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–328, §3624(2)(C), (E), redesignated subpar. (B) as (C) and substituted "an updated recruitment" for "a recruitment" in introductory provisions.

§379d–3b. Strategic Workforce Plan and report

(a) In general

Not later than September 30, 2023, and at least every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall develop, begin implementation of, and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and post on the website of the Food and Drug Administration, a coordinated strategy and report to provide direction for the activities and programs of the Secretary to recruit, hire, train, develop, and retain the workforce needed to fulfill the public health mission of the Food and Drug Administration, including to facilitate collaboration across centers, to keep pace with new biomedical, technological, and scientific advancements, and support the development, review, and regulation of medical products. Each such report shall be known as the "Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan".

(b) Use of the Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan

Each center within the Food and Drug Administration shall develop and update, as appropriate, a strategic plan that will be informed by the Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plans developed under subsection (a).

(c) Contents of the Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan

Each Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan under subsection (a) shall—

(1) include agency-wide human capital strategic goals and priorities for recruiting, hiring, training, developing, and retaining a qualified workforce for the Food and Drug Administration;

(2) establish specific actions the Secretary will take to achieve such strategic goals and priorities and address the workforce needs of the Food and Drug Administration in the forthcoming fiscal years;

(3) identify challenges and risks the Secretary will face in meeting its strategic goals and priorities, and the actions the Secretary will take to overcome those challenges and mitigate those risks;

(4) establish performance measures, benchmarks, or other elements that the Secretary will use to measure and evaluate progress in achieving such strategic goals and priorities and the effectiveness of such strategic goals and priorities; and

(5) define functions, capabilities, and gaps in such workforce and identify strategies to recruit, hire, train, develop, and retain such workforce.

(d) Considerations

In developing each Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—

(1) the number of employees (including senior leadership and non-senior leadership employees) eligible for retirement, the expertise of such employees, and the employing center of such employees;

(2) the vacancy and turnover rates for employees with different types of expertise and from different centers, including any changes or trends related to such rates;

(3) the results of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey for employees of the Food and Drug Administration, including any changes or trends related to such results;

(4) rates of pay for different types of positions, including rates for different types of expertise within the same field (such as differences in pay between different medical specialists), and how such rates of pay impact the ability of the Secretary to achieve the strategic goals and priorities described in subsection (c);

(5) the statutory hiring authorities used to hire Food and Drug Administration employees, and the time to hire across different hiring authorities; and

(6) any other timely and relevant information, as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(e) Evaluation of progress

Each Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan issued pursuant to subsection (a), with the exception of the first such Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan, shall include an evaluation of—

(1) the progress the Secretary has made, based on the performance measures, benchmarks, and other elements that measure successful recruitment, hiring, training, development, and retention activities; and

(2) whether actions taken in response to the Plan improved the capacity of the Food and Drug Administration to achieve the strategic goals and priorities described in subsection (c)(1).

(f) Additional considerations

The Food and Drug Administration Strategic Workforce Plan issued in fiscal year 2023 shall address the effect of the COVID–19 pandemic on hiring, retention, and other workforce challenges for the Food and Drug Administration, including protecting such workforce during public health emergencies.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §714B, as added Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §3623, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5878.)

§379d–4. Reporting requirements

(a) Generic drugs

Beginning with fiscal year 2013 and ending after fiscal year 2017, not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year for which fees are collected under subpart 7 of part C, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report concerning, for all applications for approval of a generic drug under section 355(j) of this title, amendments to such applications, and prior approval supplements with respect to such applications filed in the previous fiscal year—

(1) the number of such applications that met the goals identified for purposes of subpart 7 of part C, in the letters from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, as set forth in the Congressional Record;

(2) the average total time to decision by the Secretary for applications for approval of a generic drug under section 355(j) of this title, amendments to such applications, and prior approval supplements with respect to such applications filed in the previous fiscal year, including the number of calendar days spent during the review by the Food and Drug Administration and the number of calendar days spent by the sponsor responding to a complete response letter;

(3) the total number of applications under section 355(j) of this title, amendments to such applications, and prior approval supplements with respect to such applications that were pending with the Secretary for more than 10 months on July 9, 2012; and

(4) the number of applications described in paragraph (3) on which the Food and Drug Administration took final regulatory action in the previous fiscal year.

(b) Biosimilar biological products

(1) In general

Beginning with fiscal year 2014, not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year for which fees are collected under subpart 8 of part C, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report concerning—

(A) the number of applications for approval filed under section 262(k) of title 42; and

(B) the percentage of applications described in subparagraph (A) that were approved by the Secretary.

(2) Additional information

As part of the performance report described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include an explanation of how the Food and Drug Administration is managing the biological product review program to ensure that the user fees collected under subpart 2 ¹ are not used to review an application under section 262(k) of title 42.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §715, as added and amended Pub. L. 112–144, title III, §308, title IV, §408, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1025, 1039.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–144, §408, added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by section 408 of Pub. L. 112–144 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 405 of Pub. L. 112–144, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates note under section 379j–51 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 305 of Pub. L. 112–144, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates note under section 379j–41 of this title.

¹ So in original. Probably means subpart 2 of part C.

§379d–5. Guidance document regarding product promotion using the Internet

Not later than 2 years after July 9, 2012, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance that describes Food and Drug Administration policy regarding the promotion, using the Internet (including social media), of medical products that are regulated by such Administration.

(Pub. L. 112–144, title XI, §1121, July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1112.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, and not as part of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which comprises this chapter.