Source: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/laws-and-regulations/faqs-importation-human-remains.html
Timestamp: 2020-08-09 17:51:43
Document Index: 34829306

Matched Legal Cases: ['§71', '§71', '§71', '§71', '§71', '§71', '§71']

Frequently Asked Questions on Regulations about Importing Human Remains into the United States
Why did HHS/CDC amend provisions
§71.50external icon and §71.55external icon of Title 42external icon of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)?
CDC’s role is to ensure that human remains imported into the United States do not threaten public health. In recent years, CDC has recorded an increasing number of attempts to import improperly packaged body parts, or body parts that lack the required documentation. These body parts are generally imported for purposes other than burial, entombment, or cremation, and may include science, exhibition, or education.
Because the importation of body parts is subject to more than one regulatory provision, Customs and Border Protection agents at US ports of entry often hold body parts for several days until it is determined which provision from Title 42 of the CFR applies. One objective of implementing these amendments is to reduce confusion about the requirements for importing human remains.
Can I still submit comments to the final rule?
The public comment period for the proposed rule ended on January 24, 2020, and HHS/CDC received three comments from the public, all in support of the regulation. A response to these comments can be found in the preamble of the final rule.
Does the final rule contradict with other agency’s import regulations?
In drafting the language, HHS/CDC consulted with the US Department of State, US Department of Transportation, US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Defense, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to ensure consistency in importation protocols and procedures.
What did HHS/CDC amend in this final rule?
Renamed 42 CFR §71.55external icon from “Dead Bodies” to “Importation of Human Remains” to clarify that the regulation covers body parts as well as whole human cadavers.
Clarified that importers entering the United States with human remains known to contain or reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological agent must comply with 71.54external icon.
An importer certification statement confirming that the human remains are not known to contain, or are not reasonably suspected of containing, an infectious biological agent;
Required that, unless embalmed,human remains imported for medical examination or autopsy be consigned directly to an entity authorized to perform such functions under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction before subsequent burial, entombment, or cremation; and include a death certificate or, if the death certificate is incomplete or missing, an importer certification statement or permit under 42 CFR §71.54.
Added clarifying language that specifies the differences in documentation needed between human remains imported for direct burial, entombment, or cremation (§71.55) and human body parts primarily imported for other purposes (71.54external icon Import regulations for infectious biological agents, infectious substances, and vectors).
Finally, under §71.55(d), imported human remains may be subject to suspension of entry under 42 CFR §71.63external icon if CDC determines that such an action is necessary to protect the public’s health. In the past, this provision has only been invoked to temporarily suspend importation of animal reservoirs of zoonotic disease. HHS/CDC does not anticipate this provision will be invoked frequently absent a public health emergency where such measures would be needed to protect US public health.
homeImportation
Human Remains Importation Requirementsplus icon
FAQs: Importation of Human Remains