Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Export of Food and Drug Administration Regulated Products-Export Certificates

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information collection requirements imposed on firms that intend to export to countries that require an export certificate as a condition of entry for FDA regulated products, pharmaceuticals, biologics, and devices as indicated in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), as amended.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by August 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to: http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments . Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jonna Capezzuto, Office of Management Programs (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-4659.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document.

With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on these topics: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Export of FDA Regulated Products—Export Certificates (OMB Control Number 0910-0498)

In April 1996 a law entitled “The FDA Export Reform and Enhancement Act of 1996” amended sections 801(e) and 802 of the act (21 U.S.C. 381(e) and 382). It was designed to ease restrictions on exportation of unapproved pharmaceuticals, biologics, and devices regulated by FDA. Section 801(e)(4) of the act provides that persons exporting certain FDA-regulated products may request that FDA certify that the products meet the requirements of sections 801(e) or 802 or other requirements of the act. This section of the law requires that FDA issue certification within 20 days of receipt of the request and charge firms up to $175 for the certifications.

This new section of the act authorizes FDA to issue export certificates for regulated pharmaceuticals, biologics, and devices that are legally marketed in the United States, as well as for pharmaceuticals, biologics, and devices that are not legally marketed, but are acceptable to the importing country as specified in sections 801(e) and 802 of the act. FDA has developed five types of certificates that satisfy the requirements of section 801(e)(4)(B) of the act: (1) Certificates to Foreign Governments, (2) Certificates of Exportability, (3) Certificates of a Pharmaceutical Product, (4) Nonclinical Research Use Only Certificates, and (5) Certificates of Free Sale. Table 1 of this document lists the different certificates and details their uses:

FDA will continue to rely on self-certification by manufacturers for the first three types of certificates listed in the previous paragraph. Manufacturers are requested to self-certify that they are in compliance with all applicable requirements of the act, not only at the time that they submit their request to the appropriate center, but also at the time that they submit the certification to the foreign government.

The appropriate FDA centers will review product information submitted by firms in support of their certificate and any suspected case of fraud will be referred to FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations for followup. Firms making or submitting to FDA false statements on any documents may constitute violations of 18 U.S.C. 1001, with penalties including up to $250,000 in fines and up to 5 years imprisonment.

FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: