Department of Health and Human Services May 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review and approval of the information collection listed below.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is issuing a final rule to classify blood establishment computer software (BECS) and BECS accessories (regulated under product code MMH) into class II (special controls). FDA has identified special controls for BECS and BECS accessories that are necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. FDA is also giving notice that the Agency does not intend to exempt BECS and BECS accessories from premarket notification requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is publishing this final order to exempt certain surgical apparel from premarket notification requirements, subject to conditions and limitations. FDA is limiting the exemption to single-use, disposable respiratory protective devices (RPD) used in a healthcare setting and worn by healthcare personnel during procedures to protect both the patient and the healthcare personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material. These devices, commonly referred to as N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and surgical N95 respirators (herein collectively referred to as N95s) are currently regulated by FDA under product code MSH. This exemption will decrease regulatory burden on the medical device industry and will eliminate private costs and expenditures required to comply with certain Federal regulations. All other class II devices classified under FDA's surgical apparel classification regulation continue to be subject to premarket notification requirements. FDA is also amending the codified language for the surgical apparel devices classification regulation to reflect this final determination.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of a proposed collection for public comment.

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are announcing the availability of a guidance entitled ``Institutional Review Board (IRB) Written Procedures: Guidance for Institutions and IRBs.'' The guidance is intended for institutions and IRBs responsible for review and oversight of human subject research under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and FDA regulations. The purpose of this guidance is to assist staff at institutions and IRBs who are responsible for preparing and maintaining written procedures. The guidance announced in this notice finalizes the draft guidance of the same title dated August 2016.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces a forthcoming public advisory committee meeting of the Blood Products Advisory Committee. The general function of the Blood Products Advisory Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Agency on regulatory issues related to blood and products derived from blood. On the first day of the meeting, the Committee will provide advice regarding bacterial risk control strategies to enhance the safety and availability of platelets for transfusion. On the second day of the meeting, the Committee, supplemented with members from the Microbiology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee, will function as a medical device panel to provide advice and recommendations to the Agency on classification of devices. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces a forthcoming public advisory committee meeting of the Pediatric Oncology Subcommittee of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee. The general function of the committee is to provide advice and recommendations to FDA on regulatory issues. The meeting will be open to the public. FDA is establishing a docket for public comment on this document.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is proposing to amend its regulations concerning the classification of products as biological products, devices, drugs, or combination products, and their assignment to Agency components for premarket review and regulation. This proposed rule would update the regulations to clarify the scope of the regulations, streamline and clarify the appeals process, align the regulations with more recent legislative and regulatory measures, update advisory content, and otherwise clarify the regulations, including updates to reflect Agency practices and policies. These changes are intended to enhance regulatory clarity and efficiency.