FDA extends application period for Voluntary Qualified Importer Program to July 31
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be extending the application period for importers to submit their notice of intent to participate and their completed application for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) for the Fiscal Year 2021 benefits period. The application portal will remain open until July 31, 2020, after which it will close to allow time for the agency to review applications before the start of the annual benefits period that will begin on October 1, 2020.
The application period is being extended because the FDA understands that current travel restrictions and advisories related to the COVID-19 public health emergency have hindered the ability of accredited Certification Bodies (CBs) to conduct onsite regulatory audits and issue certifications to foreign entities, which are required as part of the VQIP application.