21 U.S.C. § 374 (2024) — Title 21: FOOD AND DRUGS / Chapter 9: FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT / Subchapter VII: GENERAL AUTHORITY / Section 374: Inspection
Inspection
Status: in_force

(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.
21 U.S.C. § 379j (2024) — Title 21: FOOD AND DRUGS / Chapter 9: FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT / Subchapter VII: GENERAL AUTHORITY / Section 379j: Authority to assess and use device fees
Authority to assess and use device fees
Status: in_force

(a) Types of fees

(1) In general

Beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Secretary shall assess and collect fees in accordance with this section.

(2) Premarket application, premarket report, supplement, and submission fee, and annual fee for periodic reporting concerning a class III device

(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and subsections (d) and (e), each person who submits any of the following, on or after October 1, 2022, shall be subject to a fee established under subsection (c) for the fiscal year involved in accordance with the following:

(i) A premarket application.

(ii) For a premarket report, a fee equal to the fee that applies under clause (i).

(iii) For a panel track supplement, a fee equal to 80 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(iv) For a 180-day supplement, a fee equal to 15 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(v) For a real-time supplement, a fee equal to 7 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(vi) For a 30-day notice, a fee equal to 1.6 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(vii) For an efficacy supplement, a fee equal to the fee that applies under clause (i).

(viii) For a premarket notification submission, a fee equal to 4.5 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(ix) For a request for classification information, a fee equal to 1.35 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(x) For periodic reporting concerning a class III device, an annual fee equal to 3.5 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(xi) For a de novo classification request, a fee equal to 30 percent of the fee that applies under clause (i).

(B) Exceptions

(i) Humanitarian device exemption

An application under section 360j(m) of this title is not subject to any fee under subparagraph (A).

(ii) Further manufacturing use

No fee shall be required under subparagraph (A) for the submission of a premarket application under section 262 of title 42 for a product licensed for further manufacturing use only.

(iii) State or Federal Government sponsors

No fee shall be required under subparagraph (A) for a premarket application, premarket report, supplement, premarket notification submission, or de novo classification request submitted by a State or Federal Government entity unless the device involved is to be distributed commercially.

(iv) Premarket notifications by third parties

No fee shall be required under subparagraph (A) for a premarket notification submission reviewed by an accredited person pursuant to section 360m of this title.

(v) Pediatric conditions of use

(I) In general

No fee shall be required under subparagraph (A) for a premarket application, premarket report, premarket notification submission, or de novo classification request if the proposed conditions of use for the device involved are solely for a pediatric population. No fee shall be required under such subparagraph for a supplement if the sole purpose of the supplement is to propose conditions of use for a pediatric population.

(II) Subsequent proposal of adult conditions of use

In the case of a person who submits a premarket application or premarket report for which, under subclause (I), a fee under subparagraph (A) is not required, any supplement to such application that proposes conditions of use for any adult population is subject to the fee that applies under such subparagraph for a premarket application.

(C) Payment

The fee required by subparagraph (A) shall be due upon submission of the premarket application, premarket report, supplement, premarket notification submission, 30-day notice, request for classification information, periodic reporting concerning a class III device, or de novo classification request. Applicants submitting portions of applications pursuant to section 360e(c)(4) of this title shall pay such fees upon submission of the first portion of such applications.

(D) Refunds

(i) Application refused for filing

The Secretary shall refund 75 percent of the fee paid under subparagraph (A) for any application, report, or supplement that is refused for filing.

(ii) Application withdrawn before filing

The Secretary shall refund 75 percent of the fee paid under subparagraph (A) for any application, report, or supplement that is withdrawn prior to the filing decision of the Secretary.

(iii) Application withdrawn before first action

After receipt of a request for a refund of the fee paid under subparagraph (A) for a premarket application, premarket report, or supplement that is withdrawn after filing but before a first action, the Secretary may return some or all of the fee. The amount of refund, if any, shall be based on the level of effort already expended on the review of such application, report, or supplement.

(iv) Modular applications withdrawn before first action

The Secretary shall refund 75 percent of the application fee paid for an application submitted under section 360e(c)(4) of this title that is withdrawn before a second portion is submitted and before a first action on the first portion.

(v) Later withdrawn modular applications

If an application submitted under section 360e(c)(4) of this title is withdrawn after a second or subsequent portion is submitted but before any first action, the Secretary may return a portion of the fee. The amount of refund, if any, shall be based on the level of effort already expended on the review of the portions submitted.

(vi) Sole discretion to refund

The Secretary shall have sole discretion to refund a fee or portion of the fee under clause (iii) or (v). A determination by the Secretary concerning a refund under clause (iii) or (v) shall not be reviewable.

(3) Annual establishment registration fee

(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each establishment subject to a registration fee shall be subject to a fee for each initial or annual registration under section 360 of this title beginning with its registration for fiscal year 2008.

(B) Exception

(i) In general

No fee shall be required under subparagraph (A) for an establishment operated by a State or Federal governmental entity or an Indian tribe (as defined in the Indian Self Determination and Educational Assistance Act 1 [25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.]), unless a device manufactured by the establishment is to be distributed commercially.

(ii) Small businesses fee waiver

(I) Definition of small business

For purposes of this clause, the term "small business" means an entity that reported $1,000,000 or less of gross receipts or sales in its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, including such returns of all of its affiliates.

(II) Waiver

The Secretary may grant a waiver of the fee required under subparagraph (A) for the annual registration (excluding the initial registration) of an establishment for a year, beginning on October 1, 2024, if the Secretary finds that the establishment is a small business and paying the fee for such year represents a financial hardship to the establishment as determined by the Secretary.

(III) Firms submitting tax returns to the United States Internal Revenue Service

The establishment shall support its claim that it meets the definition under subclause (I) by submission of a copy of its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, and a copy of such returns of its affiliates, which show an amount of gross sales or receipts that is less than the maximum established in subclause (I). The establishment, and each of such affiliates, shall certify that the information provided is a true and accurate copy of the actual tax forms they submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. If no tax forms are submitted for any affiliate, the establishment shall certify that the establishment has no affiliates.

(IV) Firms not submitting tax returns to the United States Internal Revenue Service

In the case of an establishment that has not previously submitted a Federal income tax return, the establishment and each of its affiliates shall demonstrate that it meets the definition under subclause (I) by submission of a signed certification, in such form as the Secretary may direct through a notice published in the Federal Register, that the establishment or affiliate meets the criteria for a small business and a certification, in English, from the national taxing authority, if extant, of the country in which the establishment or, if applicable, affiliate is headquartered. The certification from such taxing authority shall bear the official seal of such taxing authority and shall provide the establishment's or affiliate's gross receipts or sales for the most recent year in both the local currency of such country and in United States dollars, the exchange rate used in converting such local currency to dollars, and the dates during which these receipts or sales were collected. The establishment shall also submit a statement signed by the head of the establishment's firm or by its chief financial officer that the establishment has submitted certifications for all of its affiliates, or that the establishment has no affiliates.

(V) Request for waiver

An establishment seeking a fee waiver for a year under this clause shall submit supporting information to the Secretary at least 60 days before the fee is required pursuant to subparagraph (C). The decision of the Secretary regarding whether an entity may receive the waiver for such year is not reviewable.

(C) Payment

The fee required under subparagraph (A) shall be due once each fiscal year, upon the later of—

(i) the initial or annual registration (as applicable) of the establishment under section 360 of this title; or

(ii) the first business day after the date of enactment of an appropriations Act providing for the collection and obligation of fees for such year under this section.

(b) Fee Amounts

(1) In general

Subject to subsections (c), (d), (e), and (h), for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, fees under subsection (a) shall be derived from the base fee amounts specified in paragraph (2), to generate the total revenue amounts specified in paragraph (3).

(2) Base fee amounts specified

For purposes of paragraph (1), the base fee amounts specified in this paragraph are as follows:

Fee TypeFiscal Year 2023Fiscal Year 2024Fiscal Year 2025Fiscal Year 2026Fiscal Year 2027

Premarket Application
$425,000
$435,000
$445,000
$455,000
$470,000

Establishment Registration
$6,250
$6,875
$7,100
$7,575
$8,465

(3) Total revenue amounts specified

For purposes of paragraph (1), the total revenue amounts specified in this paragraph are as follows:

(A) $312,606,000 for fiscal year 2023.

(B) $335,750,000 for fiscal year 2024.

(C) $350,746,400 for fiscal year 2025.

(D) $366,486,300 for fiscal year 2026.

(E) $418,343,000 for fiscal year 2027.

(c) Annual fee setting; adjustments

(1) In general

The Secretary shall, 60 days before the start of each fiscal year after September 30, 2022, establish fees under subsection (a), based on amounts specified under subsection (b) and the adjustments provided under this subsection, and publish such fees, and the rationale for any adjustments to such fees, in the Federal Register.

(2) Inflation adjustments

(A) Adjustment to total revenue amounts

For fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall adjust the total revenue amount specified in subsection (b)(3) for such fiscal year by multiplying such amount by the applicable inflation adjustment under subparagraph (B) for such year.

(B) Applicable inflation adjustment

The applicable inflation adjustment for fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year is the product of—

(i) the base inflation adjustment under subparagraph (C) for such fiscal year; and

(ii) the product of the base inflation adjustment under subparagraph (C) for each of the fiscal years preceding such fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 2022.

(C) Base inflation adjustment

(i) In general

Subject to further adjustment under clause (ii), the base inflation adjustment for a fiscal year is the sum of one plus—

(I) the average annual percent change in the cost, per full-time equivalent position of the Food and Drug Administration, of all personnel compensation and benefits paid with respect to such positions for the first 3 years of the preceding 4 fiscal years, multiplied by 0.60; and

(II) the average annual percent change that occurred in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV; Not Seasonally Adjusted; All items; Annual Index) for the first 3 years of the preceding 4 years of available data multiplied by 0.40.

(ii) Limitations

For purposes of subparagraph (B), if the base inflation adjustment for a fiscal year under clause (i)—

(I) is less than 1, such adjustment shall be considered to be equal to 1; or

(II) is greater than 1.04, such adjustment shall be considered to be equal to 1.04.

(D) Adjustment to base fee amounts

For each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, the Secretary shall—

(i) adjust the base fee amounts specified in subsection (b)(2) for such fiscal year by multiplying such amounts by the applicable inflation adjustment under subparagraph (B) for such year; and

(ii) if the Secretary determines necessary, increase (in addition to the adjustment under clause (i)) such base fee amounts, on a uniform proportionate basis, to generate the total revenue amounts under subsection (b)(3), as adjusted for inflation under subparagraph (A).

(3) Volume-based adjustments to establishment registration base fees

For each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, after the base fee amounts specified in subsection (b)(2) are adjusted under paragraph (2)(D), the base establishment registration fee amounts specified in such subsection shall be increased, as the Secretary estimates is necessary in order for total fee collections for such fiscal year to generate the total revenue amounts, as adjusted under paragraph (2).

(4) Performance improvement adjustment

(A) In general

For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2027, after the adjustments under paragraphs (2) and (3), the base establishment registration fee amounts for such fiscal year shall be increased to reflect changes in the resource needs of the Secretary due to improved review performance goals for the process for the review of device applications identified in the letters described in section 2001(b) of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2022, as the Secretary determines necessary to achieve an increase in total fee collections for such fiscal year equal to the following amounts, as applicable:

(i) For fiscal year 2025, the product of—

(I) the amount determined under subparagraph (B)(i)(I); and

(II) the applicable inflation adjustment under paragraph (2)(B) for such fiscal year.

(ii) For fiscal year 2026, the product of—

(I) the sum of the amounts determined under subparagraphs (B)(i)(II), (B)(ii)(I), and (B)(iii)(I); and

(II) the applicable inflation adjustment under paragraph (2)(B) for such fiscal year.

(iii) For fiscal year 2027, the product of—

(I) the sum of the amounts determined under subparagraphs (B)(i)(III), (B)(ii)(II), and (B)(iii)(II); and

(II) the applicable inflation adjustment under paragraph (2)(B) for such fiscal year.

(B) Amounts

(i) Presubmission amount

For purposes of subparagraph (A), with respect to the Presubmission Written Feedback goal, the amounts determined under this subparagraph are as follows:

(I) For fiscal year 2025, $15,396,600 if such goal for fiscal year 2023 is met.

(II) For fiscal year 2026:

(aa) $15,396,600 if such goal for fiscal year 2023 is met and such goal for fiscal year 2024 is not met.

(bb) $36,792,200 if such goal for fiscal year 2024 is met.

(III) For fiscal year 2027:

(aa) $15,396,600 if such goal for fiscal year 2023 is met and such goal for each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025 is not met.

(bb) $36,792,200 if such goal for fiscal year 2024 is met and such goal for fiscal year 2025 is not met.

(cc) $40,572,600 if such goal for fiscal year 2025 is met.

(ii) De novo classification request amount

For purposes of subparagraph (A), with respect to the De Novo Decision goal, the amounts determined under this subparagraph are as follows:

(I) For fiscal year 2026, $6,323,500 if such goal for fiscal year 2023 is met.

(II) For fiscal year 2027:

(aa) $6,323,500 if such goal for fiscal year 2023 is met and such goal for fiscal year 2024 is not met.

(bb) $11,765,400 if such goal for fiscal year 2024 is met.

(iii) Premarket notification and premarket approval amount

For purposes of subparagraph (A), with respect to the 510(k) decision goal, 510(k) Shared Outcome Total Time to Decision goal, PMA decision goal, and PMA Shared Outcome Total Time to Decision goal, the amounts determined under this subparagraph are as follows:

(I) For fiscal year 2026, $1,020,000 if the 4 goals for fiscal year 2023 are met.

(II) For fiscal year 2027:

(aa) $1,020,000 if the 4 goals for fiscal year 2023 are met and one or more of the 4 goals for fiscal year 2024 are not met.

(bb) $3,906,000 if the 4 goals for fiscal year 2024 are met.

(C) Performance calculation

For purposes of this paragraph, performance of the following goals shall be determined as specified in the letters described in section 2001(b) of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2022 and based on data available, as follows:

(i) The performance of the Presubmission Written Feedback goal shall be based on data available as of—

(I) for fiscal year 2023, March 31, 2024;

(II) for fiscal year 2024, March 31, 2025; and

(III) for fiscal year 2025, March 31, 2026.

(ii) The performance of the De Novo Decision goal, 510(k) decision goal, 510(k) Shared Outcome Total Time to Decision goal, PMA decision goal, and PMA Shared Outcome Total Time to Decision goal shall be based on data available as of—

(I) for fiscal year 2023, March 31, 2025; and

(II) for fiscal year 2024, March 31, 2026.

(D) Goals defined

For purposes of this paragraph, the terms "Presubmission Written Feedback goal", "De Novo Decision goal", "510(k) decision goal", "510(k) Shared Outcome Total Time to Decision goal", "PMA decision goal", and "PMA Shared Outcome Total Time to Decision goal" refer to the goals identified by the same names in the letters described in section 2001(b) of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2022.

(5) Hiring adjustment

(A) In general

For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2027, after the adjustments under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), if applicable, if the number of hires to support the process for the review of device applications falls below the thresholds specified in subparagraph (B) for the applicable fiscal years, the base establishment registration fee amounts shall be decreased as the Secretary determines necessary to achieve a reduction in total fee collections equal to the hiring adjustment amount under subparagraph (C).

(B) Thresholds

The thresholds specified in this subparagraph are as follows:

(i) For fiscal year 2025, the threshold is 123 hires for fiscal year 2023.

(ii) For fiscal year 2026, the threshold is 38 hires for fiscal year 2024.

(iii) For fiscal year 2027, the threshold is—

(I) 22 hires for fiscal year 2025 if the base establishment registration fees are not increased by the amount determined under paragraph (4)(A)(i); or

(II) 75 hires for fiscal year 2025 if such fees are so increased.

(C) Hiring adjustment amount

The hiring adjustment amount for fiscal year 2025 and each subsequent fiscal year is the product of—

(i) the number of hires by which the hiring goal specified in subparagraph (D) for the fiscal year before the prior fiscal year was not met;

(ii) $72,877; and

(iii) the applicable inflation adjustment under paragraph (2)(B) for the fiscal year for which the hiring goal was not met.

(D) Hiring goals

The hiring goals for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025 are as follows:

(i) For fiscal year 2023, 144 hires.

(ii) For fiscal year 2024, 42 hires.

(iii) For fiscal year 2025:

(I) 24 hires if the base establishment registration fees are not increased by the amount determined under paragraph (4)(A)(i).

(II) 83 hires if the base establishment registration fees are increased by the amount determined under paragraph (4)(A)(i).

(E) Number of hires

For purposes of this paragraph, the number of hires for a fiscal year shall be determined by the Secretary as set forth in the letters described in section 2001(b) of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2022.

(6) Operating reserve adjustment

(A) In general

For each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, after the adjustments under paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5), if applicable, if the Secretary has operating reserves of carryover user fees for the process for the review of device applications in excess of the designated amount in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall decrease the base establishment registration fee amounts to provide for not more than such designated amount of operating reserves.

(B) Designated amount

Subject to subparagraph (C), for each fiscal year, the designated amount in this subparagraph is equal to the sum of—

(i) 13 weeks of operating reserves of carryover user fees; and

(ii) 1 month of operating reserves maintained pursuant to paragraph (8).

(C) Excluded amount

For the period of fiscal years 2023 through 2026, a total amount equal to $118,000,000 shall not be considered part of the designated amount under subparagraph (B) and shall not be subject to the decrease under subparagraph (A).

(7) Limit

The total amount of fees charged, as adjusted under this subsection, for a fiscal year may not exceed the total costs for such fiscal year for the resources allocated for the process for the review of device applications.

(8) Supplement

(A) In general

The Secretary may use unobligated carryover balances from fees collected in previous fiscal years to ensure that sufficient fee revenues are available in that fiscal year, so long as the Secretary maintains unobligated carryover balances of not less than 1 month of operating reserves for the first month of the next fiscal year.

(B) Notice to Congress

Not later than 14 days before the Secretary anticipates the use of funds described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide notice to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(d) Small businesses; fee waiver and fee reduction regarding premarket approval fees

(1) In general

The Secretary shall grant a waiver of the fee required under subsection (a) for one premarket application, or one premarket report, where the Secretary finds that the applicant involved is a small business submitting its first premarket application to the Secretary, or its first premarket report, respectively, for review. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "small business" means an entity that reported $30,000,000 or less of gross receipts or sales in its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, including such returns of all of its affiliates. In addition, for subsequent premarket applications, premarket reports, and supplements where the Secretary finds that the applicant involved is a small business, the fees specified in clauses (i) through (vii) and clauses (ix), (x), and (xi) of subsection (a)(2)(A) may be paid at a reduced rate in accordance with paragraph (2)(C).

(2) Rules relating to premarket approval fees

(A) Definition

For purposes of this paragraph, the term "small business" means an entity that reported $100,000,000 or less of gross receipts or sales in its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, including such returns of all of its affiliates.

(B) Evidence of qualification

(i) In general

An applicant shall pay the higher fees established by the Secretary each year unless the applicant submits evidence that it qualifies for a waiver of the fee or the lower fee rate.

(ii) Firms submitting tax returns to the United States Internal Revenue Service

The applicant shall support its claim that it meets the definition under subparagraph (A) by submission of a copy of its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, and a copy of such returns of its affiliates, which show an amount of gross sales or receipts that is less than the maximum established in subparagraph (A). The applicant, and each of such affiliates, shall certify that the information provided is a true and accurate copy of the actual tax forms they submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. If no tax forms are submitted for any affiliate, the applicant shall certify that the applicant has no affiliates.

(iii) Firms not submitting tax returns to the United States Internal Revenue Service

In the case of an applicant that has not previously submitted a Federal income tax return, the applicant and each of its affiliates shall demonstrate that it meets the definition under subparagraph (A) by submission of a signed certification, in such form as the Secretary may direct through a notice published in the Federal Register, that the applicant or affiliate meets the criteria for a small business and a certification, in English, from the national taxing authority, if extant, of the country in which the applicant or, if applicable, affiliate is headquartered. The certification from such taxing authority shall bear the official seal of such taxing authority and shall provide the applicant's or affiliate's gross receipts or sales for the most recent year in both the local currency of such country and in United States dollars, the exchange rate used in converting such local currency to dollars, and the dates during which these receipts or sales were collected. The applicant shall also submit a statement signed by the head of the applicant's firm or by its chief financial officer that the applicant has submitted certifications for all of its affiliates, or that the applicant has no affiliates.

(C) Reduced fees

Where the Secretary finds that the applicant involved meets the definition under subparagraph (A), the fees established under subsection (c)(1) may be paid at a reduced rate of—

(i) 25 percent of the fee established under such subsection for a premarket application, a premarket report, a supplement, periodic reporting concerning a class III device, or a de novo classification request; and

(ii) 50 percent of the fee established under such subsection for a 30-day notice or a request for classification information.

(D) Request for fee waiver or reduction

An applicant seeking a fee waiver or reduction under this subsection shall submit supporting information to the Secretary at least 60 days before the fee is required pursuant to subsection (a). The decision of the Secretary regarding whether an entity qualifies for such a waiver or reduction is not reviewable.

(e) Small businesses; fee reduction regarding premarket notification submissions

(1) In general

For fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year, where the Secretary finds that the applicant involved is a small business, the fee specified in subsection (a)(2)(A)(viii) may be paid at a reduced rate in accordance with paragraph (2)(C).

(2) Rules relating to premarket notification submissions

(A) Definition

For purposes of this subsection, the term "small business" means an entity that reported $100,000,000 or less of gross receipts or sales in its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, including such returns of all of its affiliates.

(B) Evidence of qualification

(i) In general

An applicant shall pay the higher fees established by the Secretary each year unless the applicant submits evidence that it qualifies for the lower fee rate.

(ii) Firms submitting tax returns to the United States Internal Revenue Service

The applicant shall support its claim that it meets the definition under subparagraph (A) by submission of a copy of its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, and a copy of such returns of its affiliates, which show an amount of gross sales or receipts that is less than the maximum established in subparagraph (A). The applicant, and each of such affiliates, shall certify that the information provided is a true and accurate copy of the actual tax forms they submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. If no tax forms are submitted for any affiliate, the applicant shall certify that the applicant has no affiliates.

(iii) Firms not submitting tax returns to the United States Internal Revenue Service

In the case of an applicant that has not previously submitted a Federal income tax return, the applicant and each of its affiliates shall demonstrate that it meets the definition under subparagraph (A) by submission of a signed certification, in such form as the Secretary may direct through a notice published in the Federal Register, that the applicant or affiliate meets the criteria for a small business and a certification, in English, from the national taxing authority, if extant, of the country in which the applicant or, if applicable, affiliate is headquartered. The certification from such taxing authority shall bear the official seal of such taxing authority and shall provide the applicant's or affiliate's gross receipts or sales for the most recent year in both the local currency of such country and in United States dollars, the exchange rate used in converting such local currency to dollars, and the dates during which these receipts or sales were collected. The applicant shall also submit a statement signed by the head of the applicant's firm or by its chief financial officer that the applicant has submitted certifications for all of its affiliates, or that the applicant has no affiliates.

(C) Reduced fees

For fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year, where the Secretary finds that the applicant involved meets the definition under subparagraph (A), the fee for a premarket notification submission may be paid at 25 percent of the fee that applies under subsection (a)(2)(A)(viii), and as established under subsection (c)(1).

(D) Request for reduction

An applicant seeking a fee reduction under this subsection shall submit supporting information to the Secretary at least 60 days before the fee is required pursuant to subsection (a). The decision of the Secretary regarding whether an entity qualifies for such a reduction is not reviewable.

(f) Effect of failure to pay fees

(1) No acceptance of submissions

A premarket application, premarket report, supplement, premarket notification submission, 30-day notice, request for classification information, periodic reporting concerning a class III device, or de novo classification request submitted by a person subject to fees under subsections (a)(2) and (a)(3) shall be considered incomplete and shall not be accepted by the Secretary until all such fees owed by such person have been paid.

(2) No registration

Registration information submitted under section 360 of this title by an establishment subject to a registration fee shall be considered incomplete and shall not be accepted by the Secretary until the registration fee under subsection (a)(3) owed for the establishment has been paid. Until the fee is paid and the registration is complete, the establishment is deemed to have failed to register in accordance with section 360 of this title.

(g) Conditions

(1) Performance goals; termination of program

With respect to the amount that, under the salaries and expenses account of the Food and Drug Administration, is appropriated for a fiscal year for devices and radiological products, fees may not be assessed under subsection (a) for the fiscal year, and the Secretary is not expected to meet any performance goals identified for the fiscal year, if—

(A) the amount so appropriated for the fiscal year, excluding the amount of fees appropriated for the fiscal year, is more than 1 percent less than $398,566,000 multiplied by the adjustment factor applicable to such fiscal year; or

(B) fees were not assessed under subsection (a) for the previous fiscal year.

(2) Authority

If the Secretary does not assess fees under subsection (a) during any portion of a fiscal year because of paragraph (1) and if at a later date in such fiscal year the Secretary may assess such fees, the Secretary may assess and collect such fees, without any modification in the rate for premarket applications, supplements, premarket reports, premarket notification submissions, 30-day notices, requests for classification information, periodic reporting concerning a class III device, de novo classification requests, and establishment registrations at any time in such fiscal year, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) relating to the date fees are to be paid.

(3) Limitation

Beginning on October 1, 2023, the authorities under section 379i(10)(C) of this title shall include only leasing and necessary scientific equipment.

(h) Crediting and availability of fees

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (2)(C), fees authorized under subsection (a) shall be collected and available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Such fees are authorized to be appropriated to remain available until expended. Such sums as may be necessary may be transferred from the Food and Drug Administration salaries and expenses appropriation account without fiscal year limitation to such appropriation account for salaries and expenses with such fiscal year limitation. The sums transferred shall be available solely for the process for the review of device applications.

(2) Collections and appropriation acts

(A) In general

The fees authorized by this section—

(i) subject to subparagraph (C), shall be collected and available in each fiscal year in an amount not to exceed the amount specified in appropriation Acts, or otherwise made available for obligation, for such fiscal year, and

(ii) shall be available—

(I) for fiscal year 2023, to defray increases in the costs of the resources allocated for the process for the review of device applications (including increases in such costs for an additional number of full-time equivalent positions in the Department of Health and Human Services to be engaged in such process) over such costs, excluding costs paid from fees collected under this section, for fiscal year 2009 multiplied by the adjustment factor; and

(II) for fiscal year 2024 and each subsequent fiscal year, to defray the costs of the resources allocated for the process for the review of device applications (including such costs for an additional number of full-time equivalent positions in the Department of Health and Human Services to be engaged in such process), only if the sum of the amounts allocated by the Secretary for such costs, excluding costs paid from fees collected under this section, plus other costs for the maintenance, renovation, and repair of facilities and acquisition, maintenance, and repair of fixtures, furniture and other necessary materials and supplies in connection with the process for the review of device applications, is no less than the amount allocated for such costs, excluding any such costs paid from fees collected under this section, for fiscal year 2009 multiplied by the adjustment factor.

(B) Compliance

(i) In general

The Secretary shall be considered to have met the requirements of subparagraph (A)(ii) in any fiscal year if the costs funded by appropriations and allocated as described in subclause (I) or (II) of such subparagraph, as applicable—

(I) are not more than 3 percent below the level specified in subparagraph (A)(ii); or

(II)(aa) are more than 3 percent below the level specified in subparagraph (A)(ii), and fees assessed for a subsequent fiscal year are decreased by the amount in excess of 3 percent by which such costs fell below the level specified in such subparagraph; and

(bb) such costs are not more than 5 percent below the level specified in such subparagraph.

(ii) More than 5 percent

To the extent such costs are more than 5 percent below the specified level in subparagraph (A)(ii), fees may not be collected under this section for that fiscal year.

(C) Provision for early payments

Payment of fees authorized under this section for a fiscal year, prior to the due date for such fees, may be accepted by the Secretary in accordance with authority provided in advance in a prior year appropriations Act.

(3) Authorization of appropriations

(A) In general

For each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, there is authorized to be appropriated for fees under this section an amount equal to the revenue amount determined under subparagraph (B), less the amount of reductions determined under subparagraph (C).

(B) Revenue amount

For purposes of this paragraph, the revenue amount for each fiscal year is the sum of—

(i) the total revenue amount under subsection (b)(3) for the fiscal year, as adjusted under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c); and

(ii) the performance improvement adjustment amount for the fiscal year under subsection (c)(4), if applicable.

(C) Amount of reductions

For purposes of this paragraph, the amount of reductions for each fiscal year is the sum of—

(i) the hiring adjustment amount for the fiscal year under subsection (c)(5), if applicable; and

(ii) the operating reserve adjustment amount for the fiscal year under subsection (c)(6), if applicable.

(i) Collection of unpaid fees

In any case where the Secretary does not receive payment of a fee assessed under subsection (a) within 30 days after it is due, such fee shall be treated as a claim of the United States Government subject to subchapter II of chapter 37 of title 31.

(j) Written requests for refunds

To qualify for consideration for a refund under subsection (a)(2)(D), a person shall submit to the Secretary a written request for such refund not later than 180 days after such fee is due.

(k) Construction

This section may not be construed to require that the number of full-time equivalent positions in the Department of Health and Human Services, for officers, employees, and advisory committees not engaged in the process of the review of device applications, be reduced to offset the number of officers, employees, and advisory committees so engaged.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §738, as added Pub. L. 107–250, title I, §102(a), Oct. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 1591; amended Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2), (d)(2)(A), (B), (3)(A), Apr. 1, 2004, 118 Stat. 572, 576, 577; Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a), Aug. 1, 2005, 119 Stat. 439; Pub. L. 110–85, title II, §212, Sept. 27, 2007, 121 Stat. 844; Pub. L. 112–144, title II, §203(a)–(f), July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 112–193, §2(b)(1), Oct. 5, 2012, 126 Stat. 1443; Pub. L. 115–52, title II, §203(a)–(f)(1), (2)(B)–(i), title IX, §905(b)(2), Aug. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 1013–1016, 1090; Pub. L. 117–180, div. F, title II, §2003, Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2148; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §§3309, 3625(d), (e)(1), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5836, 5882.)

Termination of Section

For termination of section by section 2007(a) of Pub. L. 117–180, see Effective and Termination Dates note below.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Indian Self Determination and Educational Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i), probably means the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2203, which is classified principally to chapter 46 (§5301 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of Title 25 and Tables.

Section 2001(b) of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2022, referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(A), (C), (D), (5)(E), is section 2001(b) of title II of div. F of Pub. L. 117–180, which is set out as a note under section 379i of this title.

510(k), referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(B)(iii), (C)(ii), (D), means section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, which is classified to section 360(k) of this title.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(a)(1), substituted "fiscal year 2023" for "fiscal year 2018".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(a)(2)(A)(i), substituted "October 1, 2022" for "October 1, 2017" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(a)(2)(A)(ii), substituted "80 percent" for "75 percent".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(viii). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(a)(2)(A)(iii), substituted "4.5 percent" for "3.4 percent".

Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(a)(2)(B), substituted "premarket notification submission, or de novo classification request" for "or premarket notification submission".

Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(a)(2)(C), substituted "periodic reporting concerning a class III device, or de novo classification request" for "or periodic reporting concerning a class III device".

Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 117–328, §3309(a), designated existing provisions as cl. (i), inserted heading, and added cl. (ii).

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(b)(1), substituted "2023 through 2027" for "2018 through 2022".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(b)(2), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) specified base fee amounts for fiscal years 2018 to 2022.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(b)(3), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) specified total revenue amounts for fiscal years 2018 to 2022.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(1), substituted "2022" for "2017".

Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(2)(A), substituted "2023" for "2018".

Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(2)(B)(i), substituted "fiscal year 2023" for "fiscal year 2018" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(2)(B)(ii), substituted "fiscal year 2022" for "fiscal year 2016".

Subsec. (c)(2)(C)(i)(II). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(2)(C), substituted "Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV" for "Washington-Baltimore, DC–MD–VA–WV".

Subsec. (c)(2)(D). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(2)(D), substituted "fiscal years 2023 through 2027" for "fiscal years 2018 through 2022" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(3), substituted "2023 through 2027" for "2018 through 2022".

Subsec. (c)(4) to (8). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(c)(4), (5), added pars. (4) to (6) and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (7) and (8), respectively.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–328, §3309(b), inserted ", if extant," after "national taxing authority".

Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 117–328, §3625(d)(1), inserted ", if extant," after "national taxing authority".

Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(d)(1), substituted "$398,566,000" for "$320,825,000".

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(d)(2), inserted "de novo classification requests," after "class III device,".

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 117–328, §3625(e)(1), which directed technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 115–52, §905(b)(2), was executed by making technical correction to that section as if the amendment were retroactive to the effective date of the amendment by Pub. L. 115–52 to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2017 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 117–328, §3625(d)(3), substituted "379i(10)(C) of this title" for "section 379i(9)(C) of this title".

Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–328, §3625(d)(2)(A), substituted "shall be available—" for "shall be available to defray", designated remainder of existing provisions as subcl. (I), inserted "for fiscal year 2023, to defray" before "increases in the costs", and added subcl. (II).

Subsec. (h)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 117–328, §3625(d)(2)(B), substituted "as described in subclause (I) or (II) of such subparagraph, as applicable" for "for the process for the review of device applications" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 117–180, §2003(e), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For each of the fiscal years 2018 through 2022, there is authorized to be appropriated for fees under this section an amount equal to the total revenue amount specified under subsection (b)(3) for the fiscal year, as adjusted under subsection (c)."

2017—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(a)(1), substituted "fiscal year 2018" for "fiscal year 2013".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(f)(2)(B)(ii), substituted "(d) and (e)" for "(d), (e), and (f)" in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 115–52, §203(a)(2)(A)(i), substituted "October 1, 2017" for "October 1, 2012" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(viii). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(a)(2)(A)(ii), substituted "3.4 percent" for "2 percent".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(xi). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(a)(2)(A)(iii), added cl. (xi).

Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(v)(I). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(a)(2)(B), substituted "premarket notification submission, or de novo classification request" for "or premarket notification submission".

Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(f)(2)(B)(iii), struck out "and subsection (f)" after "subparagraph (B)".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) listed fee amounts for fiscal years 2013 to 2017.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(c)(1), substituted "2017" for "2012".

Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(c)(2)(A), substituted "2018" for "2014".

Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(c)(2)(B), added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The applicable inflation adjustment for a fiscal year is—

"(i) for fiscal year 2014, the base inflation adjustment under subparagraph (C) for such fiscal year; and

"(ii) for fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent fiscal year, the product of—

"(I) the base inflation adjustment under subparagraph (C) for such fiscal year; and

"(II) the product of the base inflation adjustment under subparagraph (C) for each of the fiscal years preceding such fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 2014."

Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(c)(2)(C), struck out "to total revenue amounts" after "adjustment" in heading.

Subsec. (c)(2)(D). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(c)(2)(D), amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For each of fiscal years 2014 through 2017, the base fee amounts specified in subsection (b)(2) shall be adjusted as needed, on a uniform proportionate basis, to generate the total revenue amounts under subsection (b)(3), as adjusted for inflation under subparagraph (A)."

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(c)(3), substituted "2018 through 2022" for "2014 through 2017" and "increased" for "further adjusted".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(d)(1), substituted "specified in clauses (i) through (vii) and clauses (ix), (x), and (xi)" for "specified in clauses (i) through (v) and clauses (vii), (ix), and (x)".

Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(d)(2), substituted "supplement," for "supplement, or" and inserted ", or a de novo classification request" after "class III device".

Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(e), substituted "25 percent" for "50 percent".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(f)(1), (2)(B)(i), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f) and struck out former subsec. (f) which authorized the Secretary to grant waivers or reductions of fees under subsec. (a)(2) or (3) until Oct. 1, 2017.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(g), substituted "periodic reporting concerning a class III device, or de novo classification request" for "or periodic reporting concerning a class III device" and "all such fees" for "all fees".

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(f)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(h), substituted "$320,825,000" for "$280,587,000".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(f)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subsec. (i) as (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(i)(1), substituted "2018 through 2022" for "2013 through 2017" and "subsection (c)." for "subsection (c) and, for fiscal year 2017 only, as further adjusted under paragraph (4)."

Pub. L. 115–52, §905(b)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 117–328, §3625(e)(1), added par. (3), effective Aug. 18, 2017. Subsec. (h) subsequently redesignated (g) effective Oct. 1, 2017, by Pub. L. 115–52, §203(f)(2)(B)(i). See Amendment note above.

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(i)(2), struck out par. (4). Text read as follows: "If the cumulative amount of fees collected during fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015, added to the amount estimated to be collected for fiscal year 2016, which estimate shall be based upon the amount of fees received by the Secretary through June 30, 2016, exceeds the cumulative amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (3) for these four fiscal years, the excess shall be credited to the appropriation account of the Food and Drug Administration as provided in paragraph (1), and shall be subtracted from the amount of fees that would otherwise be authorized to be collected under this section pursuant to appropriation Acts for fiscal year 2017."

Subsecs. (i) to (l). Pub. L. 115–52, §203(f)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subsecs. (j) to (l) as (i) to (k), respectively. Former subsec. (i) redesignated (h).

2012—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(a)(1), substituted "fiscal year 2013" for "fiscal year 2008".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(a)(2)(A), substituted "subsections (d), (e), and (f)" for "subsections (d) and (e)", "October 1, 2012" for "October 1, 2002", and "subsection (c)" for "subsection (c)(1)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(viii). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(a)(2)(B), substituted "2" for "1.84".

Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(a)(3)(A), inserted "and subsection (f)" after "subparagraph (B)".

Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(a)(3)(B), substituted "later of—" for "initial registration of the establishment or upon the annual registration under section 360 of this title." and added cls. (i) and (ii).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) listed fee amounts for fiscal years 2008 to 2012.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(c), inserted "; adjustments" after "setting" in heading, added pars. (1) to (3), redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively, and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which related to annual publication and adjustment of fees.

Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(d), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsecs. (f) and (g) as (g) and (h), respectively. Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (h)(1)(A). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(e), substituted "$280,587,000" for "$205,720,000".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(d)(1), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).

Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(f)(1), substituted "Subject to paragraph (2)(C), fees authorized" for "Fees authorized".

Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(f)(2)(A)(i), substituted "subject to subparagraph (C), shall be collected and available" for "shall be retained".

Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 112–193 substituted "shall be available" for "shall only be available".

Pub. L. 112–144, §203(f)(2)(A)(ii), substituted "shall only be available" for "shall only be collected and available" and "fiscal year 2009" for "fiscal year 2002".

Subsec. (i)(2)(C). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(f)(2)(B), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(f)(3), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2008 to 2012.

Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(f)(4), substituted "fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015" for "fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010", "fiscal year 2016" for "fiscal year 2011", "June 30, 2016" for "June 30, 2011", "the cumulative amount appropriated pursuant to" for "the amount of fees specified in aggregate in", and "fiscal year 2017" for "fiscal year 2012" and struck out "aggregate amount in" before "excess shall be credited".

Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 112–144, §203(d)(1), redesignated subsecs. (i) to (k) as (j) to (l), respectively.

2007—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(1)(A), substituted "Beginning in fiscal year 2008" for "Beginning on October 26, 2002".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(1)(B), amended heading generally. Prior to amendment, heading read as follows: "Premarket application, premarket report, supplement, and submission fee".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(2)(A), substituted "a fee equal to 75 percent of the fee that applies" for "a fee equal to the fee that applies".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(2)(B), substituted "15 percent" for "21.5 percent".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(v). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(2)(C), substituted "7 percent" for "7.2 percent".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(vi), (vii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(2)(D), (E), added cl. (vi) and redesignated former cl. (vi) as (vii). Former cl. (vii) redesignated (viii).

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(viii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(2)(D), (F), redesignated cl. (vii) as (viii), substituted "1.84 percent" for "1.42 percent", and struck out ", subject to any adjustment under subsection (e)(2)(C)(ii) of this section" before period at end.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ix), (x). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(2)(G), added cls. (ix) and (x).

Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(3), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The fee required by subparagraph (A) shall be due upon submission of the premarket application, premarket report, supplement, or premarket notification submission except that invoices for applications submitted between October 1, 2002, and October 26, 2002, shall be payable on October 30, 2002. Applicants submitting portions of applications pursuant to section 360e(c)(3) of this title shall pay such fees upon submission of the first portion of such applications. The fees credited to fiscal year 2003 under this section shall include all fees payable from October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003."

Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(iii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(4)(A), struck out at end "The Secretary shall have sole discretion to refund a fee or portion of the fee under this subparagraph. A determination by the Secretary concerning a refund under this paragraph shall not be reviewable."

Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(iv) to (vi). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(4)(B), added cls. (iv) to (vi).

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(a)(5), added par. (3).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Except as provided in subsections (c), (d), (e), (g), and (h) of this section, the fees under subsection (a) of this section shall be established to generate the following revenue amounts: $25,125,000 in fiscal year 2003; $27,255,000 in fiscal year 2004; and $29,785,000 in fiscal year 2005. If legislation is enacted after October 26, 2002, requiring the Secretary to fund additional costs of the retirement of Federal personnel, fee revenue amounts under this subsection shall be increased in each year by the amount necessary to fully fund the portion of such additional costs that are attributable to the process for the review of device applications."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(c)(1)(A), made technical amendment to heading.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(c)(1)(B), struck out at end "The fees established for fiscal year 2006 shall be based on a premarket application fee of $259,600, and the fees established for fiscal year 2007 shall be based on a premarket application fee of $281,600."

Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(c)(2)(A), (B), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(c)(2)(A), (C), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and substituted in subpar. (A) "The Secretary" for "For fiscal years 2006 and 2007, the Secretary" and "for the first month of the next fiscal year" for "for the first month of fiscal year 2008".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(d)(1), struck out ", partners, and parent firms" after "affiliates" and substituted "clauses (i) through (v) and clauses (vii), (ix), and (x) of subsection (a)(2)(A)" for "clauses (i) through (vi) of subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section".

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(d)(2)(A), struck out ", partners, and parent firms" before period at end.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(d)(2)(B)(i), (ii), designated first sentence as cl. (i) and second to fourth sentences as cl. (ii) and inserted cl. headings.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(d)(2)(B)(iii), (iv), struck out ", partners, and parent firms" after "its affiliates" and after "such affiliates" and substituted "If no tax forms are submitted for any affiliate, the applicant shall certify that the applicant has no affiliates." for "If no tax forms are submitted for affiliates, partners, or parent firms, the applicant shall certify that the applicant has no affiliates, partners, or parent firms, respectively."

Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(d)(2)(B)(v), added cl. (iii).

Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(d)(3), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Where the Secretary finds that the applicant involved meets the definition under subparagraph (A), the fees established under subsection (c)(1) of this section may be paid at a reduced rate of 38 percent of the fee established under such subsection for a premarket application, a premarket report, or a supplement."

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(e)(1), substituted "2008" for "2004" and "(a)(2)(A)(viii)" for "(a)(2)(A)(vii)".

Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(e)(2)(A), struck out ", partners, and parent firms" before period at end.

Subsec. (e)(2)(B). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(e)(2)(B)(i), (ii), inserted cl. headings and designated first sentence as cl. (i) and second to fourth sentences as cl. (ii).

Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(e)(2)(B)(iii), (iv), struck out ", partners, and parent firms" after "its affiliates" and after "such affiliates" and substituted "If no tax forms are submitted for any affiliate, the applicant shall certify that the applicant has no affiliates." for "If no tax forms are submitted for affiliates, partners, or parent firms, the applicant shall certify that the applicant has no affiliates, partners, or parent firms, respectively."

Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(e)(2)(B)(v), added cl. (iii).

Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(e)(3), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) contained provisions, for fiscal year 2004 and each subsequent fiscal year, authorizing in cl. (i) a reduced fee for a premarket notification submission, and directing in cl. (ii) the Secretary how to determine an adjustment per fee revenue amount.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(f), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "A premarket application, premarket report, supplement, or premarket notification submission submitted by a person subject to fees under subsection (a) of this section shall be considered incomplete and shall not be accepted by the Secretary until all fees owed by such person have been paid."

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(g)(1), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, par. (1) related to performance goals for fiscal years 2003 through 2005, with respect to the amount appropriated under the salaries and expenses account of the Food and Drug Administration, for devices and radiological products, and termination of the program after fiscal year 2005.

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(g)(2), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "If the Secretary does not assess fees under subsection (a) of this section during any portion of a fiscal year because of subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1) and if at a later date in such fiscal year the Secretary may assess such fees, the Secretary may assess and collect such fees, without any modification in the rate for premarket applications, supplements, premarket reports, and premarket notification submissions, and at any time in such fiscal year, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section relating to the date fees are to be paid."

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(h)(1), amended par. (3) generally, substituting provisions authorizing appropriations for fiscal years 2008 to 2012 for provisions authorizing appropriations for fiscal years 2003 to 2007.

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 110–85, §212(h)(2), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any amount of fees collected for a fiscal year under this section that exceeds the amount of fees specified in appropriation Acts for such fiscal year shall be credited to the appropriation account of the Food and Drug Administration as provided in paragraph (1), and shall be subtracted from the amount of fees that would otherwise be authorized to be collected under this section pursuant to appropriation Acts for a subsequent fiscal year."

2005—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(7), substituted "subsection (c)(1)" for "subsection (c)(5)".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(1), inserted "and" after "2004;" and substituted "2005" for "2005; $32,615,000 in fiscal year 2006, and $35,000,000 in fiscal year 2007".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(2)(A), substituted "Annual fee setting" for "Adjustments" in heading.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(2)(B)–(D), redesignated par. (5) as (1), substituted "In general" for "Annual fee setting" in heading, "publish in the Federal Register fees under subsection (a) of this section. The fees" for "establish, for the next fiscal year, and publish in the Federal Register, fees under subsection (a) of this section, based on the revenue amounts established under subsection (b) of this section and the adjustment provided under this subsection and subsection (e)(2)(C)(ii) of this section, except that the fees", "2006" for "2003", and "$259,600, and the fees established for fiscal year 2007 shall be based on a premarket application fee of $281,600." for "$154,000." in text, and struck out former par. (1) which required an annual inflation adjustment of the revenues established in subsec. (b).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(2)(B), (C), redesignated par. (6) as (2) and struck out former par. (2) which required an annual adjustment of the fee revenues established in subsec. (b) to reflect changes in the workload of the Secretary for the process for the review of device applications.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(2)(B), (E), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which required an annual compensating adjustment of the fee revenues established in subsec. (b).

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(2)(B), struck out par. (4) which provided for a fiscal year 2007 adjustment of the fee revenues established in subsec. (b) to provide for operating reserves of carryover user fees.

Subsec. (c)(5), (6). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(2)(C), redesignated pars. (5) and (6) as (1) and (2), respectively.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(3)(A), inserted after first sentence "For the purposes of this paragraph, the term 'small business' means an entity that reported $30,000,000 or less of gross receipts or sales in its most recent Federal income tax return for a taxable year, including such returns of all of its affiliates, partners, and parent firms."

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(3)(B), struck out cl. (i) designation and heading before "For purposes", substituted "paragraph," for "subsection," and "$100,000,000" for "$30,000,000", and struck out heading and text of clause (ii). Text read as follows: "The Secretary may adjust the $30,000,000 threshold established in clause (i) if the Secretary has evidence from actual experience that this threshold results in a reduction in revenues from premarket applications, premarket reports, and supplements that is 16 percent or more than would occur without small business exemptions and lower fee rates. To adjust this threshold, the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register setting out the rationale for the adjustment, and the new threshold."

Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(7), substituted "subsection (c)(1)" for "subsection (c)(5)".

Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(4), substituted "$100,000,000" for "$30,000,000".

Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(7), substituted "subsection (c)(1)" for "subsection (c)(5)" in cls. (i) and (ii).

Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(5)(A)(i), added cl. (i) and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: "For fiscal year 2005, the Secretary is expected to meet all of the performance goals identified for the fiscal year if the total of the amounts so appropriated for fiscal years 2003 through 2005, excluding the amount of fees appropriated for such fiscal years, is equal to or greater than the sum of—

"(I) $205,720,000 multiplied by the adjustment factor applicable to fiscal year 2003;

"(II) $205,720,000 multiplied by the adjustment factor applicable to fiscal year 2004; and

"(III) $205,720,000 multiplied by the adjustment factor applicable to fiscal year 2005."

Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(5)(A)(ii), added introductory provisions and struck out former introductory provisions which read as follows: "For fiscal year 2005, if the total of the amounts so appropriated for fiscal years 2003 through 2005, excluding the amount of fees appropriated for such fiscal years, is less than the sum that applies under clause (i) for fiscal year 2005, the following applies:".

Subsec. (g)(1)(C). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(5)(B)(i), substituted "2005 and" for "2003 through" and inserted "more than 1 percent" after "years, is".

Subsec. (g)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(5)(B)(ii), substituted "amount that applies" for "sum that applies".

Subsec. (g)(1)(D)(i). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(5)(C), inserted "more than 1 percent" after "year, is".

Subsec. (h)(3)(D), (E). Pub. L. 109–43, §2(a)(6), added subpar. (D) and struck out former subpars. (D) and (E) which read as follows:

"(D) $32,615,000 for fiscal year 2006; and

"(E) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,".

2004—Pub. L. 108–214, §2(d)(3)(A), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 107–250, §102(a), which enacted this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(d)(2)(A), designated introductory provisions of subsec. (a) as par. (1), inserted heading, substituted "this section." for "this section as follows:", and redesignated former par. (1) as (2).

Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(A)(i), substituted, in introductory provisions, "subsections (d) and (e)" for "subsection (d)", in cl. (iv), "clause (i)" for "clause (i), subject to any adjustment under subsection (c)(3) of this section", and, in cl. (vii), "clause (i), subject to any adjustment under subsection (e)(2)(C)(ii)" for "clause (i), subject to any adjustment under subsection (c)(3) of this section and any adjustment under subsection (e)(2)(C)(ii)".

Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(i), (ii). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(A)(ii), substituted "application, report," for "application".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(d)(2)(B)(i), substituted "subsection (a)(2)(A)" for "subsection (a)(1)(A)" in last sentence.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(B), substituted "firms, which show" for "firms. which show" in second sentence.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(C)(i), (d)(2)(B)(ii), substituted "For fiscal year 2004 and each subsequent fiscal year, where" for "Where" and "subsection (a)(2)(A)(vii)" for "subsection (a)(1)(A)(vii)".

Subsec. (e)(2)(B). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(C)(ii)(I), substituted "firms, which show" for "firms. which show".

Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(C)(ii)(II), (d)(2)(B)(iii), substituted "For fiscal year 2004 and each subsequent fiscal year, where" for "Where" in cl. (i), "subsection (a)(2)(A)(vii)" for "subsection (a)(1)(A)(vii)" in cls. (i) and (ii), and "subsection (a)(2)(A)(i)" for "subsection (a)(1)(A)(i)" in cl. (ii).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(D), struck out "for filing" after "accepted".

Subsec. (h)(2)(B). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(a)(2)(E), designated existing provisions as cl. (i), inserted heading, redesignated former cls. (i) and (ii) as subcls. (I) and (II), respectively, of cl. (i), redesignated former subcls. (I) and (II) of cl. (i) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively, of cl. (i)(II), and added cl. (ii).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 108–214, §2(d)(2)(B)(iv), substituted "subsection (a)(2)(D)" for "subsection (a)(1)(D)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2022 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §3625(e)(2), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5882, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as though included in the enactment of section 905 of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–52) [Aug. 18, 2017]."

Amendments by Pub. L. 117–180 effective Oct. 1, 2022, with fees under this subpart to be assessed for all submissions listed in subsec. (a)(2)(A) of this section received on or after Oct. 1, 2022, see section 2008 of Pub. L. 117–180, set out as a note under section 360d of this title.

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Amendment by section 203 of Pub. L. 115–52 effective Oct. 1, 2017, with fees under this subpart to be assessed for all submissions listed in subsec. (a)(2)(A) of this section 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 Pub. L. 112–144 effective Oct. 1, 2012, with fees under this subpart to be assessed for all submissions listed in subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section received on or after Oct. 1, 2012, see section 206 of Pub. L. 112–144, set out as a note under section 379i of this title.

Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 110–85 effective Oct. 1, 2007, except for certain premarket fees under this subpart, see section 216 of Pub. L. 110–85, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2007 Amendment note under section 379i of this title.

Effective and Termination Dates

Section ceases to be effective Oct. 1, 2027, see section 2007(a) of Pub. L. 117–180, set out as a note under section 379i of this title.

Section effective Oct. 26, 2002, except for certain premarket fees, see section 106 of Pub. L. 107–250, set out as a note under section 379i of this title.

Fee Exemption for Certain Entities Submitting Premarket Reports

Pub. L. 107–250, title I, §102(b), Oct. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 1600, as amended by Pub. L. 108–214, §2(d)(2)(C), (3)(B), Apr. 1, 2004, 118 Stat. 577, provided that: "A person submitting a premarket report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services is exempt from the fee under section 738(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 379j(a)(2)(A)(ii)] (as added by subsection (a) of this section) if—

"(1) the premarket report is the first such report submitted to the Secretary by the person; and

"(2) before October 1, 2002, the person submitted a premarket application to the Secretary for the same device as the device for which the person is submitting the premarket report."

1 See References in Text note below.
21 U.S.C. § 364b (2024) — Title 21: FOOD AND DRUGS / Chapter 9: FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT / Subchapter VI: COSMETICS / Section 364b: Good manufacturing practice
Good manufacturing practice
Status: in_force

(a) In general

The Secretary shall by regulation establish good manufacturing practices for facilities that are consistent, to the extent practicable, and appropriate, with national and international standards, in accordance with section 361 of this title. Any such regulations shall be intended to protect the public health and ensure that cosmetic products are not adulterated. Such regulations may allow for the Secretary to inspect records necessary to demonstrate compliance with good manufacturing practices prescribed by the Secretary under this paragraph 1 during an inspection conducted under section 374 of this title.

(b) Considerations

In establishing regulations for good manufacturing practices under this section, the Secretary shall take into account the size and scope of the businesses engaged in the manufacture of cosmetics, and the risks to public health posed by such cosmetics, and provide sufficient flexibility to be practicable for all sizes and types of facilities to which such regulations will apply. Such regulations shall include simplified good manufacturing practice requirements for smaller businesses, as appropriate, to ensure that such regulations do not impose undue economic hardship for smaller businesses, and may include longer compliance times for smaller businesses. Before issuing regulations to implement subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with cosmetics manufacturers, including smaller businesses, consumer organizations, and other experts selected by the Secretary.

(c) Timeframe

The Secretary shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking not later than 2 years after December 29, 2022, and shall publish a final such rule not later than 3 years after December 29, 2022.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §606, as added Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, §3502, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5850.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Construction; Confidentiality

Nothing in section 3502 of Pub. L. 117–328, which enacted this section, to be construed to authorize the disclosure of information that is prohibited from disclosure under section 331(j) of this title or section 1905 of title 18 or that is subject to withholding under section 552(b)(4) of title 5, see section 3503(c)(2) of Pub. L. 117–328, set out as a note under section 364 of this title.

1 So in original. Probably should be "this subsection".