The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending the comment period on two proposed rules: “Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals” (FSVPs) and “Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors/Certification Bodies to Conduct Food Safety Audits and to Issue Certifications” (Third-Party) that appeared in the July 29, 2013 Federal Register. Comments on these two proposed rules as well as comments on the information collection provisions associated with these rules may be submitted until Jan. 27, 2014. Comments were originally due by Nov. 26, 2013.

FDA is taking this action in response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons an opportunity to consider the interrelationship between these two proposed rules and the proposed rule announced in October 2013, “Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals.”

Submit comments on the proposed rules electronically at www.regulations.gov, using the Agency name and docket number FDA-2011-N-0143 (FSVPs) or FDA-2011-N-0146 (Third-Party).

To submit comments on the proposed rules by mail, send to:

Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

Comments should be identified with the relevant docket number.

Submit comments electronically on the information collection to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov.

Written comments on the information collection may also be faxed to: Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer, FAX: 202-395-7285. Comments should be identified with the title of the appropriate proposed rule.

For more information, see:

• Federal Register Notice - Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors/Certification Bodies to Conduct Food Safety Audits and to Issue Certifications; Extension of Comment Periods
• Federal Register Notice - Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals; Extension of Comment Periods