This week FDA issued a final rule that provides for a user fee program to evaluate fees and require reimbursement for work that FDA performs to establish and administer the third-party certification program. The rule, “Amendments to Accreditation of Third-Party Certification Bodies To Conduct Food Safety Audits and To Issue Certifications To Provide for the User Fee Program”, is effective January 13, 2017.

FDA also announced its fiscal year 2017 fee rate for accreditation bodies that are applying to be recognized by the third-party certification program. The fee will remain in effect through September 30, 2017.