Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Medical Devices; Inspection by Accredited Persons Program

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 the Inspection by Accredited Persons Program Under the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002.

DATES:

Submit either electronic or written comments on the collection of information by July 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to http://www.regulations.gov. 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:

Daniel Gittleson, Office of Information Management, Food and Drug Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr., PI50-400B, Rockville, MD 20850, 301-796-5156, Daniel.Gittleson@fda.hhs.gov.

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.

Inspection by Accredited Persons Program Under the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002—(OMB Control Number 0910-0510)—Extension

The Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002 (MDUFMA) (Pub. L. 107-250) was signed into law on October 26, 2002. Section 201 of MDUFMA adds a new paragraph (g) to section 704 of the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. 374), directing FDA to accredit third parties (accredited persons) to conduct inspections of eligible manufacturers of class II or class III devices. This is a voluntary program. FDA has a guidance document that provides information for those interested in participating in this program. The guidance is entitled “Implementation of the Inspection by Accredited Persons Program Under the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002; Accreditation Criteria.”

FDA based these estimates on conversations with industry, trade association representatives, and internal FDA estimates. Once an organization is accredited, it will not be required to reapply.

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