[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 147 (Monday, August 1, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50525-50528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18089]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. FDA-2016-N-0007]
Food Safety Modernization Act Domestic and Foreign Facility
Reinspection, Recall, and Importer Reinspection Fee Rates for Fiscal
Year 2017
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the
fiscal year (FY) 2017 fee rates for certain domestic and foreign
facility reinspections, failures to comply with a recall order, and
importer reinspections that are authorized by the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act), as amended by the FDA Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA). These fees are effective on October 1, 2016,
and will remain in effect through September 30, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Lewis, Office of Resource
Management, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Food and Drug Administration,
12420 Parklawn Dr., Rm. 2046, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-796-5957, email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 107 of FSMA (Pub. L. 111-353) added section 743 to the FD&C
Act (21 U.S.C. 379j-31) to provide FDA with the authority to assess and
collect fees from, in part: (1) The responsible party for each domestic
facility and the U.S. agent for each foreign facility subject to a
reinspection, to cover reinspection-related costs; (2) the responsible
party for a domestic facility and an importer who does not comply with
a recall order, to cover food \1\ recall activities associated with
such order; and (3) each importer subject to a reinspection to cover
reinspection-related costs (sections 743(a)(1)(A), (B), and (D) of the
FD&C Act). Section 743 of the FD&C Act directs FDA to establish fees
for each of these activities based on an estimate of 100 percent of the
costs of each activity for each year (sections 743(b)(2)(A)(i), (ii),
and (iv)), and these fees must be made available solely to pay for the
costs of each activity for which the fee was incurred (section
743(b)(3)). These fees are effective on October 1, 2016, and will
remain in effect through September 30, 2017. Section 743(b)(2)(B)(iii)
of the FD&C Act directs FDA to develop a proposed set of guidelines in
consideration of the burden of fee amounts on small businesses. As a
first step in developing these guidelines, FDA invited public comment
on the potential impact of the fees authorized by section 743 of the
FD&C Act on small businesses (76 FR 45818, August 1, 2011). The comment
period for this request ended November 30, 2011. As stated in FDA's
September 2011 ``Guidance for Industry: Implementation of the Fee
Provisions of Section 107 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act,''
(http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm274176.htm),
because FDA recognizes that for small businesses the full cost recovery
of FDA reinspection or recall oversight could impose severe economic
hardship, FDA intends to consider reducing certain fees for those
firms. FDA does not intend to issue invoices for reinspection or recall
order fees until FDA publishes a guidance document outlining the
process through which firms may request a reduction in fees.
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\1\ The term ``food'' for purposes of this document has the same
meaning as such term in section 201(f) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C.
321(f)).
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In addition, as stated in the September 2011 Guidance, FDA is in
the process of considering various issues associated with the
assessment and collection of importer reinspection fees. The fee rates
set forth in this notice will be used to determine any importer
reinspection fees assessed in FY 2017.
II. Estimating the Average Cost of a Supported Direct FDA Work Hour for
FY 2017
FDA is required to estimate 100 percent of its costs for each
activity in order to establish fee rates for FY 2017.
[[Page 50526]]
In each year, the costs of salary (or personnel compensation) and
benefits for FDA employees account for between 50 and 60 percent of the
funds available to, and used by, FDA. Almost all of the remaining funds
(operating funds) available to FDA are used to support FDA employees
for paying rent, travel, utility, information technology, and other
operating costs.
A. Estimating the Full Cost per Direct Work Hour in FY 2015
In general, the starting point for estimating the full cost per
direct work hour is to estimate the cost of a full-time equivalent
(FTE) or paid staff year for the relevant activity. This is done by
dividing the total funds allocated to the elements of FDA primarily
responsible for carrying out the activities for which fees are being
collected by the total FTEs allocated to those activities. For the
purposes of the reinspection and recall order fees authorized by
section 743 of the FD&C Act (the fees that are the subject of this
notice), primary responsibility for the activities for which fees will
be collected rests with FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). ORA
carries out inspections and other field-based activities on behalf of
FDA's product centers, including the Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (CFSAN) and the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Thus,
as the starting point for estimating the full cost per direct work
hour, FDA will use the total funds allocated to ORA for CFSAN and CVM
related field activities. The most recent FY with available data was FY
2015. In that year, FDA obligated a total of $666,722,326 for ORA in
carrying out the CFSAN and CVM related field activities work, excluding
the cost of inspection travel. In that same year, the number of ORA
staff primarily conducting the CFSAN and CVM related field activities
was 3,022 FTEs or paid staff years. Dividing $666,722,326 by 3,022 FTEs
results in an average cost of $220,623 per paid staff year, excluding
travel costs.
Not all of the FTEs required to support the activities for which
fees will be collected are conducting direct work such as inspecting or
reinspecting facilities, examining imports, or monitoring recalls. Data
collected over a number of years and used consistently in other FDA
user fee programs (e.g., under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act
(PDUFA) and the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act (MDUFA))
show that every seven FTEs who perform direct FDA work require three
indirect and supporting FTEs. These indirect and supporting FTEs
function in budget, facility, human resource, information technology,
planning, security, administrative support, legislative liaison, legal
counsel, program management, and other essential program areas. On
average, two of these indirect and supporting FTEs are located in ORA
or the FDA center where the direct work is being conducted, and one of
them is located in the Office of the Commissioner. To get the fully
supported cost of an FTE, FDA needs to multiply the average cost of an
FTE by 1.43, to take into account the indirect and supporting
functions. The 1.43 factor is derived by dividing the 10 fully
supported FTEs by 7 direct FTEs. In FY 2015, the average cost of an FTE
was $220,623. Multiplying this amount by 1.43 results in an average
fully supported cost of $315,491 per FTE, excluding the cost of
inspection travel.
To calculate an hourly rate, FDA must divide the average fully
supported cost of $315,491 per FTE by the average number of supported
direct FDA work hours. See table 1.
Table 1--Supported Direct FDA Work Hours in a Paid Staff Year
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Total number of hours in a paid staff year...................... 2,080
Less:
10 paid holidays.............................................. 80
20 days of annual leave....................................... 160
10 days of sick leave......................................... 80
10 days of training........................................... 80
2 hours of meetings per week.................................. 80
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Net Supported Direct FDA Work Hours Available for 1,600
Assignments................................................
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Dividing the average fully supported cost of an FTE in FY 2015
($315,491) by the total number of supported direct work hours available
for assignment (1,600) results in an average fully supported cost of
$197 (rounded to the nearest dollar), excluding inspection travel
costs, per supported direct work hour in FY 2015--the last FY for which
data are available.
B. Adjusting FY 2015 Costs for Inflation To Estimate FY 2017 Costs
To adjust the hourly rate for FY 2017, FDA must estimate the cost
of inflation in each year for FY 2016 and FY 2017. FDA uses the method
prescribed for estimating inflationary costs under the PDUFA provisions
of the FD&C Act (section 736(c)(1) (21 U.S.C. 379h(c)(1)), the
statutory method for inflation adjustment in the FD&C Act that FDA has
used consistently. FDA previously determined the FY 2016 inflation rate
to be 2.0266; this rate was published in the FY 2016 PDUFA user fee
rates notice in the Federal Register of August 3, 2015 (80 FR 46028).
Utilizing the method set forth in section 736(c)(1) of the FD&C Act,
FDA has calculated an inflation rate of 1.5468 percent for FY 2017 and
FDA intends to use this inflation rate to make inflation adjustments
for FY 2017 for several of its user fee programs; the derivation of
this rate is published in the Federal Register in the FY 2017 notice
for the PDUFA user fee rates. The compounded inflation rate for FYs
2016 and 2017, therefore, is 3.6047 percent (1 plus 2.0266 percent
times 1 plus 1.5468 percent).
Increasing the FY 2015 average fully supported cost per supported
direct FDA work hour of $197 (excluding inspection travel costs) by
3.6047 percent yields an inflationary adjusted estimated cost of $204
per a supported direct work hour in FY 2017, excluding inspection
travel costs. FDA will use this base unit fee in determining the hourly
fee rate for reinspection and recall order fees for FY 2017 prior to
including domestic or foreign travel costs as applicable for the
activity.
In FY 2015, ORA spent a total of $4,497,078 for domestic regulatory
inspection travel costs and General Services Administration Vehicle
costs related to FDA's CFSAN and CVM field activities programs. The
total ORA domestic travel costs spent is then divided by the 8,987
CFSAN and CVM domestic inspections, which averages a total of $500 per
inspection. These inspections average 32.14 hours per inspection.
Dividing $500 per inspection by 32.14 hours per inspection results in a
total and an additional cost of $16 per hour spent for domestic
inspection travel costs in FY 2015. To adjust $16 for inflationary
increases in FY 2016 and FY 2017, FDA must multiply it by the same
inflation factor mentioned previously in this document (1.036047),
which results in an estimated cost of $17 dollars per paid hour in
addition to $204 for a total of $221 per paid hour ($204 plus $17) for
each direct hour of work requiring domestic inspection travel. FDA will
use these rates in charging fees in FY 2017 when domestic travel is
required.
In FY 2015, ORA spent a total of $2,521,216 on 269 foreign
inspection trips related to FDA's CFSAN and CVM field activities
programs, which averaged a total of $9,373 per foreign inspection trip.
These trips averaged 3 weeks (or 120 paid hours) per trip. Dividing
$9,373 per trip by 120 hours per trip results in a total and an
additional cost of $78 per paid hour spent for foreign inspection
travel costs in FY 2015. To adjust $78 for inflationary increases in FY
2016 and
[[Page 50527]]
FY 2017, FDA must multiply it by the same inflation factor mentioned
previously in this document (1.036047), which results in an estimated
cost of $81 dollars per paid hour in addition to $204 for a total of
$285 per paid hour ($204 plus $81) for each direct hour of work
requiring foreign inspection travel. FDA will use these rates in
charging fees in FY 2017 when foreign travel is required.
Table 2--FSMA Fee Schedule for FY 2017
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Fee rates
Fee category for FY
2017
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Hourly rate if domestic travel is required.................. $221
Hourly rate if foreign travel is required................... 285
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III. Fees for Reinspections of Domestic or Foreign Facilities Under
Section 743(a)(1)(A)
A. What will cause this fee to be assessed?
The fee will be assessed for a reinspection conducted under section
704 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 374) to determine whether corrective
actions have been implemented and are effective and compliance has been
achieved to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' (the Secretary)
(and, by delegation, FDA's) satisfaction at a facility that
manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for consumption
necessitated as a result of a previous inspection (also conducted under
section 704) of this facility, which had a final classification of
Official Action Indicated (OAI) conducted by or on behalf of FDA, when
FDA determined the non-compliance was materially related to food safety
requirements of the FD&C Act. FDA considers such non-compliance to
include non-compliance with a statutory or regulatory requirement under
section 402 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 342) and section 403(w) of the
FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 343(w)). However, FDA does not consider non-
compliance that is materially related to a food safety requirement to
include circumstances where the non-compliance is of a technical nature
and not food safety related (e.g., failure to comply with a food
standard or incorrect font size on a food label). Determining when non-
compliance, other than under sections 402 and 403(w) of the FD&C Act,
is materially related to a food safety requirement of the FD&C Act may
depend on the facts of a particular situation. FDA intends to issue
guidance to provide additional information about the circumstances
under which FDA would consider non-compliance to be materially related
to a food safety requirement of the FD&C Act.
Under section 743(a)(1)(A) of the FD&C Act, FDA is directed to
assess and collect fees from ``the responsible party for each domestic
facility (as defined in section 415(b) (21 U.S.C. 350d(b))) and the
United States agent for each foreign facility subject to a
reinspection'' to cover reinspection-related costs.
Section 743(a)(2)(A)(i) of the FD&C Act defines the term
``reinspection'' with respect to domestic facilities as ``1 or more
inspections conducted under section 704 subsequent to an inspection
conducted under such provision which identified non-compliance
materially related to a food safety requirement of th[e] Act,
specifically to determine whether compliance has been achieved to the
Secretary's satisfaction.''
The FD&C Act does not contain a definition of ``reinspection''
specific to foreign facilities. In order to give meaning to the
language in section 743(a)(1)(A) of the FD&C Act to collect fees from
the U.S. agent of a foreign facility subject to a reinspection, the
Agency is using the following definition of ``reinspection'' for
purposes of assessing and collecting fees under section 743(a)(1)(A),
with respect to a foreign facility, ``1 or more inspections conducted
by officers or employees duly designated by the Secretary subsequent to
such an inspection which identified non-compliance materially related
to a food safety requirement of the FD&C Act, specifically to determine
whether compliance has been achieved to the Secretary's (and, by
delegation, FDA's) satisfaction.''
This definition allows FDA to fulfill the mandate to assess and
collect fees from the U.S. agent of a foreign facility in the event
that an inspection reveals non-compliance materially related to a food
safety requirement of the FD&C Act, causing one or more subsequent
inspections to determine whether compliance has been achieved to the
Secretary's (and, by delegation, FDA's) satisfaction. By requiring the
initial inspection to be conducted by officers or employees duly
designated by the Secretary, the definition ensures that a foreign
facility would be subject to fees only in the event that FDA, or an
entity designated to act on its behalf, has made the requisite
identification at an initial inspection of non-compliance materially
related to a food safety requirement of the FD&C Act. The definition of
``reinspection-related costs'' in section 743(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act
relates to both a domestic facility reinspection and a foreign facility
reinspection, as described in section 743(a)(1)(A).
B. Who will be responsible for paying this fee?
The FD&C Act states that this fee is to be paid by the responsible
party for each domestic facility (as defined in section 415(b) of the
FD&C Act) and by the U.S. agent for each foreign facility (section
743(a)(1)(A) of the FD&C Act). This is the party to whom FDA will send
the invoice for any fees that are assessed under this section.
C. How much will this fee be?
The fee is based on the number of direct hours spent on such
reinspections, including time spent conducting the physical
surveillance and/or compliance reinspection at the facility, or
whatever components of such an inspection are deemed necessary, making
preparations and arrangements for the reinspection, traveling to and
from the facility, preparing any reports, analyzing any samples or
examining any labels if required, and performing other activities as
part of the OAI reinspection until the facility is again determined to
be in compliance. The direct hours spent on each such reinspection will
be billed at the appropriate hourly rate shown in table 2 of this
document.
IV. Fees for Non-Compliance With a Recall Order Under Section
743(a)(1)(B)
A. What will cause this fee to be assessed?
The fee will be assessed for not complying with a recall order
under section 423(d) (21 U.S.C. 350l(d)) or section 412(f) of the FD&C
Act (21 U.S.C. 350a(f)) to cover food recall activities associated with
such order performed by the Secretary (and by delegation, FDA) (section
743(a)(1)(B) of the FD&C Act). Non-compliance may include the
following: (1) Not initiating a recall as ordered by FDA; (2) not
conducting the recall in the manner specified by FDA in the recall
order; or (3) not providing FDA with requested information regarding
the recall, as ordered by FDA.
B. Who will be responsible for paying this fee?
Section 743(a)(1)(B) of the FD&C Act states that the fee is to be
paid by the responsible party for a domestic facility (as defined in
section 415(b) of the FD&C Act) and an importer who does not comply
with a recall order under section 423 or under section 412(f) of the
FD&C Act. In other words, the party
[[Page 50528]]
paying the fee would be the party that received the recall order.
C. How much will this fee be?
The fee is based on the number of direct hours spent on taking
action in response to the firm's failure to comply with a recall order.
Types of activities could include conducting recall audit checks,
reviewing periodic status reports, analyzing the status reports and the
results of the audit checks, conducting inspections, traveling to and
from locations, and monitoring product disposition. The direct hours
spent on each such recall will be billed at the appropriate hourly rate
shown in table 2 of this document.
V. How must the fees be paid?
An invoice will be sent to the responsible party for paying the fee
after FDA completes the work on which the invoice is based. Payment
must be made within 90 days of the invoice date in U.S. currency by
check, bank draft, or U.S. postal money order payable to the order of
the Food and Drug Administration. Detailed payment information will be
included with the invoice when it is issued.
VI. What are the consequences of not paying these fees?
Under section 743(e)(2) of the FD&C Act, any fee that is not paid
within 30 days after it is due shall be treated as a claim of the U.S.
Government subject to provisions of subchapter II of chapter 37 of
title 31, United States Code.
Dated: July 27, 2016.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016-18089 Filed 7-29-16; 8:45 am]
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