Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Application for Exemption From Federal Preemption of State and Local Medical Device Requirements

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 FDA's requirements for State and local government applications for exemption from preemption for medical device requirements.

DATES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information by March 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Dockets Management Branch (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:

Peggy Schlosburg, Office of Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-1223.

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: (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.

Application for Exemption From Federal Preemption of State and Local Medical Device Requirements—21 CFR Part 808 (OMB Control No. 0910-0129)—Extension

Section 521(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) (21 U.S.C. 360k(a)) provides that no State or local government may establish, or continue in effect, any requirement with respect to a medical device that is different from, or in addition to, any Federal requirement applicable to the device under the act. Under section 521(b) of the act, following receipt of a written application from the State or local government involved, FDA may exempt from preemption a requirement that is more stringent than the Federal requirement, or that is necessitated by compelling local conditions and compliance with the requirement would not cause the device to be in violation of any portion of any requirement under the act. Exemptions are granted by regulation issued after notice and opportunity for an oral hearing.

The regulations in 21 CFR 808.20 require a State or local government that is seeking an exemption from preemption to submit an application to FDA. The application must include a copy of the State or local requirement, as well as information about its interpretation and application, and a statement as to why the applicant believes that the requirement qualifies for exemption from preemption under the act. FDA will use the information in the application to determine whether the requirement meets the criteria for exemption in the act and whether granting an exemption would be in the interest of the public health.

In addition, 21 CFR 808.25 provides that an interested person may request a hearing on an application by submitting a letter to FDA following the publication by FDA of a proposed response to the application.

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

FDA based its estimates of the number of submissions expected in the future contained in Table 1 of this document on the number of submissions submitted in the last 3 years and on the number of inquiries received indicating that applications would be submitted in the next year. FDA based its estimates of the time required to prepare submissions on discussions with those who have prepared submissions in the last 3 years.