Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Constituent Update

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Constituent Update

FDA Announces FY2021 Fee Rates for Voluntary Qualified Importer Program and Third-Party Certification Program July 30, 2020 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the fiscal year (FY) 2021 fee rates for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP), and accreditation and certification bodies interested in participating in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP). The user fee rates are authorized by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and allow the agency to assess and collect fees to cover the FDA’s cost of administering these programs.   VQIP is a voluntary, fee-based program for the expedited review and importation of foods from importers who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains. The FSMA FY2021 VQIP user fee rate will be effective on August 1, 2020 and supports program benefits from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. Currently, the agency is not offering an adjusted fee for small businesses. Approved VQIP applicants need to pay the user fee before October 1, 2020 to begin receiving benefits for the 2021 fiscal year. The Accredited Third-Party Certification Program is a voluntary program in which FDA recognizes “accreditation bodies” that may accredit third-party “certification bodies.” The certification bodies can conduct food safety audits and issue certifications of foreign food facilities. The FSMA FY2021 TPP user fee rates will be effective on October 1, 2020 and will remain in effect through September 30, 2021.   Please direct any questions regarding VQIP to the VQIP Importers Help Desk at 1-301-796-8745 or FSMAVQIP@fda.hhs.gov. Questions regarding TPP can be sent to FDAthirdpartyprogram@fda.hhs.gov. You can also subscribe to receive updates about the U.S. Import programs, policies and regulations. Additional Information Federal Register Notice announcing the FY2021 VQIP User Fee Rate Federal Register Notice announcing the FY2021 TPP User Fee Rates Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) Accredited Third-Party Certification Program  Fees under the FSMA