Energy Policy and New Uses Office, Agriculture Department August 12, 2015 – 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 (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 a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending the closing date for the document that appeared in the Federal Register of June 3, 2015. In that document, FDA requested that public stakeholders, including patient and consumer advocacy groups, health care professionals, and scientific and academic experts, notify FDA of their intent to participate in periodic consultation meetings on the reauthorization of the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2012 (GDUFA). The statutory authority for GDUFA expires at the end of September 2017. At that time, new legislation will be required for FDA to continue collecting user fees for the generic drug program. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) requires that FDA consult with a range of stakeholders in developing recommendations for the next GDUFA program. The FD&C Act also requires that FDA hold continued discussions with patient and consumer advocacy groups at least monthly during FDA's negotiations with the regulated industry. The purpose of the request for notification is to ensure continuity and progress in these monthly discussions by establishing consistent stakeholder representation.

The Administration for Children and Families extends the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking entitled, ``Head Start Performance Standards.'' We take this action to respond to requests from the public for more time to submit comments. The notice of proposed rulemaking and our request for comments appeared in the Federal Register on June 19, 2015. We initially set August 18, 2015 as the deadline for the comment period. To allow the public more time, we extend the comment period for an additional 30 days.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a final guidance entitled ``Guidance for Entities Considering Whether to Register as Outsourcing Facilities Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.'' This guidance is intended to inform entities that are considering registering as outsourcing facilities under section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act), as added by the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), of the regulatory implications of registration as an outsourcing facility.