This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand the FDA's accredited third-party certification program for food safety. It updates definitions to say eligible entities can be domestic or foreign facilities that choose to be audited by accredited third-party auditors. It expands the meaning of a "regulatory audit" and removes limits on how third-party food and facility certifications can be used.
The bill requires the Secretary to set up a system to recognize accreditation bodies that accredit third-party auditors within 2 years. It directs the FDA to use third-party certifications when deciding whether imported foods meet import requirements, whether a facility qualifies for the voluntary qualified importer program, and permits using certification results to analyze risks and prioritize inspections and other regulatory activities. The bill also adds a record item for inspections to note whether a facility holds a certification aligned with FDA preventive controls regulations.
No publicly available information on estimated costs, appropriations, or funding levels is included in the bill text. The bill does require the Secretary to establish a recognition system for accreditation bodies within two years, but the text does not provide cost estimates or funding sources.
No publicly available information in the bill text about proponents' statements or arguments for the bill.
No publicly available information in the bill text about opponents' statements or arguments against the bill.