FDA Voluntary Qualified Importer Program Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three participants in the FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides importers, who achieve and maintain control over the safety and security of their supply chains, expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the United States.
The participants have successfully demonstrated management of the safety and security of their supply chains. As a VQIP participant, importers can import certain food products into the United States with greater speed and predictability, avoiding unexpected delays at the point of import entry.
To participate in VQIP, food importers must meet certain eligibility requirements, including ensuring that the facilities of their foreign suppliers are certified through the FDA’s Accredited Third-Party Certification Program, also part of FSMA. If you are an importer interested in participating, the VQIP application portal will open on January 1, 2021 and will remain open through May 31, 2021. The following resources provide more in-depth information about the VQIP program and process:
- Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
- Public List of Approved VQIP Importers
- Submission of VQIP Application User Guide
- Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) Informational Webinar Recording
- Public Registry of Accredited Third-Party Certification Bodies
VQIP supports the FDA Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food by incentivizing importers to use certified suppliers and robust processes and procedures to help ensure imported food is meeting U.S. food safety requirements.
Those interested may submit questions to the VQIP Importers Help Desk via 301-796-8745 or email at FSMAVQIP@fda.hhs.gov.
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