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                Tissue & Tissue Products

Tissue & Tissue Products

                        Exemptions and Alternatives
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          Exemptions and AlternativesTissue & Tissue Products Exemptions and Alternatives
  
  	
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On November 24, 2004, the Food and Drug Administration published a final rule that includes requirements in 21 CFR Part 1271.155 for requesting an exemption from or alternative to any requirement in subpart C (Donor Eligibility) or D (Current Good Tissue Practices) of 21 CFR Part 1271. This rule was effective on May 25, 2005 for Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/P) recovered on or after the effective date.

On June 22, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration published a final rule that codifies when use of an embryo would not require requesting an exemption according to the process in 21 CFR 1271.155. This most recent final rule, entitled “Revisions to Exceptions Applicable to Certain Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products, ” also clarifies when the use of an embryo for reproductive use would not be prohibited under § 1271.45(c). The Final Rule became effective August 22, 2016. The link can be found here: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-06-22/pdf/2016-14721.pdf.

Requests for exemptions or alternative should be submitted to the Director of the appropriate Center. CBER has re-delegated the authority to issue a response to the Director and Deputy Director, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies. If the HCT/P is regulated solely under 21 CFR Part 1271.10, as a biological product or as a medical device regulated by CBER, requests should be sent to:

Director, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Document Control Center
WO71-G112
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

If you have questions concerning these requests, or you need to orally request an exemption or alternative, or you wish to submit a request electronically, please contact the Division of Human Tissues, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies at 301-796-2570, or email HCTPExemptions@fda.hhs.gov

If the HCT/P is regulated as a medical device by CDRH, the request should be sent to:

Combination Product Jurisdiction Officer
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Document Control Center
WO66-G609
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

If you have questions concerning these requests or need to orally request an exemption or alternative, please contact a CDRH Product Jurisdiction Officer at 301-796-9588, or email CDRHProductJurisdiction@fda.hhs.gov.

Under §1271.155, the request must be accompanied by supporting documentation, including all relevant valid scientific data, and must contain either:

Information justifying the requested exemption from the requirement, or
	A description of a proposed alternative method of meeting the requirement**Criteria for granting an exemption or alternative:**The Director may grant an exemption or alternative if he or she finds that such action is consistent with the goals of protecting the public health and/or preventing the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases and that:

The information submitted justifies an exemption; or
	The proposed alternative satisfies the purpose of the requirement**Form of Request:**You must ordinarily make your request for an exemption or alternative in writing (hard copy or electronically). However, if circumstances make it difficult (e.g., there is inadequate time) to submit your request in writing, you may make the request orally, and the Director may orally grant an exemption or alternative. You must follow your oral request with an immediate written request, to which the Director will respond in writing.

Please also include the establishment's Field Establishment Identifier (FEI) number if your establishment is registered with FDA and/or any other FDA regulatory submission number relevant to the HCT/P such as for an IND, IDE, BLA, PMA or 510(k).

**Operation under exemption or alternative:**  You must not begin operating under the terms of a requested exemption or alternative until the exemption or alternative has been granted. You may apply for an extension of an exemption or alternative beyond its expiration date, if any.

**Documentation:** If you operate under the terms of an exemption or alternative, you must maintain documentation of:

FDA's grant of the exemption or alternative, and
	The date on which you began operating under the terms of the exemption or alternative.**Issuance of an exemption or alternative by the Director:**  In a public health emergency, the Director may issue an exemption from, or alternative to, any requirement in 21 CFR Part 1271. The Director may issue an exemption or alternative under this section if the exemption or alternative is necessary to assure that certain HCT/Ps will be available in a specified location to respond to an unanticipated immediate need for those HCT/Ps.

Related Information

SOPP 9151: Procedures for Handling Requests for Exemptions and Alternative Procedures for Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/Ps) Under 21 CFR Section 1271.155Contact FDA
(800) 835-4709
(240) 402-8010
ocod@fda.hhs.gov

Consumer Affairs Branch (CBER)
Division of Communication and Consumer Affairs
Office of Communication, Outreach and Development
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Building 71 Room 3103
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      07/11/2019
              
              
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