FDA's Revised VQIP Guidance Could Lower User Fees, Agency Says
The FDA has revised aspects of the agency's Voluntary Qualified Importer Program that could result in lower user fees, according to a Nov. 14 release.
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VQIP, which the FDA administers under the Food Safety Modernization Act, offers an expedited review and importation of human and animal foods for vetted importers, according to the FDA.
These recent updates, detailed in an updated guidance, are meant to streamline processes, the FDA said. They include a revised inspection approach "strategically designed to optimize program efficiency by leveraging other oversight activities," as well as an ability to add new foreign suppliers and foods to their existing program throughout the fiscal year. The FDA is also extending the deadline to submit a notice of intent to participate and apply to the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program.
"Expedited entry through VQIP incentivizes importers to adopt a robust system of supply chain management and further benefits public health by allowing FDA to focus its resources on food entries that pose a higher risk to public health," the FDA said. "These updates, which are effective immediately, build on feedback from stakeholders to support and streamline the process for participation."
Specifically, the changes include extending the application period by about three months, to Jan. 1 to Sept. 1, instead of Jan. 1 to May 31.
FDA also said it will "in most cases" evaluate VQIP eligibility by reviewing the applicant's VQIP application and inspectional history, and "may conduct a VQIP inspection," or a Foreign Supplier Verification Program inspection or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point inspection "in lieu of a VQIP inspection, after your application is approved." The previous version of the guidance had said FDA will "ordinarily" conduct a VQIP inspection of approved applicants prior to Oct. 1 of the VQIP year.
Another change is the removal of language suggesting that the FDA may carry out FSVP inspections at the same time that it conducts VQIP compliance inspections.
VQIP participants can now add new foreign suppliers during the VQIP participation year, rather than having to wait until the new application window opens for the next year. That foreign supplier and their food must have a current facility certification issued in accordance with the FDA's Accredited Third-Party Certification Program, or TPP.