FDA Releases FSMA Final Rule on Accreditation of Third Party Certification Bodies

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its final rule on accreditation of third party certification bodies who conduct food safety audits of foreign entities and issue food and facility certifications under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Importantly, in the final rule, FDA has clarified the narrow scope of such food safety audits and when the agency’s requirements for third party certification bodies apply. Clear understanding of the scope of the regulations for third party certification bodies is essential for any company considering participation in the voluntary qualified importer program (VQIP), as certification is required as a condition of participation in that program.