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[Code of Federal Regulations] |
[Title 21, Volume 1] |
[Revised as of April 1, 2004] |
[CITE: 21CFR25] |
TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
SUBCHAPTER A - GENERAL
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PART 25 | ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS |
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Subpart A -- General Provisions
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The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, directs
that, to the fullest extent possible, the policies, regulations, and public laws
of the United States shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with
the policies set forth in NEPA. All agencies of the Federal Government shall
comply with the procedures in section 102(2) of NEPA except where compliance
would be inconsistent with other statutory requirements. The regulations in this
part implement section 102(2) of NEPA in a manner that is consistent with FDA`s
authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health
Service Act. This part also supplements the regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA that were published by the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) in 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508 and the procedures
included in the “HHS General Administration Manual, part 30: Environmental
Protection” (45 FR 76519 to 76534, November 19, 1980).
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(a) Definitions that apply to the terms used in this part are set forth in
the CEQ regulations under 40 CFR part 1508. The terms and the sections of 40 CFR
part 1508 in which they are defined follow:
(1) Categorical exclusion (40 CFR 1508.4).
(2) Cooperating agency (40 CFR 1508.5).
(3) Cumulative impact (40 CFR 1508.7).
(4) Effects (40 CFR 1508.8).
(5) Environmental assessment (EA) (40 CFR 1508.9).
(6) Environmental document (40 CFR 1508.10).
(7) Environmental impact statement (EIS) (40 CFR 1508.11).
(8) Federal agency (40 CFR 1508.12).
(9) Finding of no significant impact (40 CFR 1508.13).
(10) Human environment (40 CFR 1508.14).
(11) Lead agency (40 CFR 1508.16).
(12) Legislation (40 CFR 1508.17).
(13) Major Federal action (40 CFR 1508.18).
(14) Mitigation (40 CFR 1508.20).
(15) NEPA process (40 CFR 1508.21).
(16) Notice of intent (40 CFR 1508.22).
(17) Proposal (40 CFR 1508.23).
(18) Scope (40 CFR 1508.25).
(19) Significantly (40 CFR 1508.27).
(b) The following terms are defined solely for the purpose of implementing
the supplemental procedures provided by this part and are not necessarily
applicable to any other statutory or regulatory requirements:
(1) Abbreviated application applies to an abbreviated new drug
application and an abbreviated new animal drug application.
(2) Active moiety means the molecule or ion, excluding those
appended portions of the molecule that cause the drug to be an ester, salt
(including a salt with hydrogen or coordination bonds), or other noncovalent
derivative (such as a complex chelate or clathrate) of the molecule responsible
for the physiological or pharmacological action of the drug substance.
(3) Agency means the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
(4) Increased use of a drug or biologic product may occur if
the drug will be administered at higher dosage levels, for longer duration or
for different indications than were previously in effect, or if the drug is a
new molecular entity. The term “use” also encompasses disposal of
FDA-regulated articles by consumers.
(5) Responsible agency official means the agency decisionmaker
designated in the delegated authority for the underlying actions.
(c) The following acronyms are used in this part:
(1) CEQ—Council on Environmental Quality.
(2) CGMP—Current good manufacturing practice.
(3) EA—Environmental assessment.
(4) EIS—Environmental impact statement.
(5) The act—Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
(6) FIFRA—Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
(7) FONSI—Finding of no significant impact.
(8) GLP—Good laboratory practice.
(9) GRAS—Generally recognized as safe.
(10) HACCP—Hazard analysis critical control point.
(11) IDE—Investigational device exemption.
(12) IND—Investigational new drug application.
(13) INAD—Investigational new animal drug application.
(14) NADA—New animal drug application.
(15) NDA—New drug application.
(16) NEPA—National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
(17) OTC—Over-the-counter.
(18) PDP—Product development protocol.
(19) PMA—Premarket approval application.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 399, Jan. 5, 1999; 69 FR
17291, Apr. 2, 2004]
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Sec. 25.10 Policies and NEPA planning.
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(a) All FDA`s policies and programs will be planned, developed, and
implemented to achieve the policies declared by NEPA and required by CEQ`s
regulations to ensure responsible stewardship of the environment for present and
future generations.
(b) Assessment of environmental factors continues throughout planning and is
integrated with other program planning at the earliest possible time to ensure
that planning and decisions reflect environmental values, to avoid delays later
in the process, and to avoid potential conflicts.
(c) For actions initiated by the agency, the NEPA process will begin when the
agency action under consideration is first identified. For actions initiated by
applicants or petitioners, NEPA planning begins when FDA receives from an
applicant or petitioner an EA or a claim that a categorical exclusion applies,
or when FDA personnel consult with applicants or petitioners on the NEPA-related
aspects of their requested actions. FDA may issue a public call for
environmental data or otherwise consult with affected individuals or groups when
a contemplated action in which it is or may be involved poses potential
significant environmental effects.
(d) Environmental documents shall concentrate on timely and significant
issues, not amass needless detail.
(e) If a proposed action for which an EIS will be prepared involves possible
environmental effects that are required to be considered under statutes or
Executive Orders other than those referred to under “Authority” in
this part, these effects shall be considered in the NEPA review, consistent with
40 CFR 1502.25 and the HHS General Administration Manual, part 30: Environmental
Protection.
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Subpart B -- Agency Actions Requiring Environmental
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Sec. 25.15 General procedures.
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(a) All applications or petitions requesting agency action require the
submission of an EA or a claim of categorical exclusion. A claim of categorical
exclusion shall include a statement of compliance with the categorical exclusion
criteria and shall state that to the applicant`s knowledge, no extraordinary
circumstances exist. Failure to submit an adequate EA for an application or
petition requesting action by the agency of a type specified in
§ 25.20, unless the agency can determine that the action qualifies
for exclusion under §§ 25.30, 25.31, 25.32, 25.33, or 25.34, is
sufficient grounds for FDA to refuse to file or approve the application or
petition. An EA adequate for filing is one that addresses the relevant
environmental issues. An EA adequate for approval is one that contains
sufficient information to enable the agency to determine whether the proposed
action may significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
(b) The responsible agency officials will evaluate the information contained
in the EA to determine whether it is accurate and objective, whether the
proposed action may significantly affect the quality of the human environment,
and whether an EIS will be prepared. If significant effects requiring the
preparation of an EIS are identified, FDA will prepare an EIS for the action in
accordance with the procedures in subparts D and E of this part. If significant
effects requiring the preparation of an EIS are not identified, resulting in a
decision not to prepare an EIS, the responsible agency official will prepare a
FONSI in accordance with § 25.41.
(c) Classes of actions that individually or cumulatively do not significantly
affect the quality of the human environment ordinarily are excluded from the
requirement to prepare an EA or an EIS. The classes of actions that qualify as
categorical exclusions are set forth in §§ 25.30, 25.31, 25.32,
25.33, or 25.34.
(d) A person submitting an application or petition of a type subject to
categorical exclusion under §§ 25.30, 25.31, 25.32, 25.33, or
25.34, or proposing to dispose of an article as provided in
§ 25.30(d) or 25.32(h), is not required to submit an EA if the person
states that the action requested qualifies for a categorical exclusion, citing
the particular categorical exclusion that is claimed, and states that to the
applicant`s knowledge, no extraordinary circumstances exist.
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Sec. 25.16 Public health and safety emergencies.
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There are certain regulatory actions that, because of their immediate
importance to the public health or safety, may make full adherence to the
procedural provisions of NEPA and CEQ`s regulations impossible. For such
actions, the responsible agency official shall consult with CEQ about
alternative arrangements before the action is taken, or after the action is
taken, if time does not permit prior consultation with CEQ.
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Sec. 25.20 Actions requiring preparation of an environmental assessment.
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Any proposed action of a type specified in this section ordinarily requires
at least the preparation of an EA, unless it is an action in a specific class
that qualifies for exclusion under §§ 25.30, 25.31, 25.32,
25.33, or 25.34:
(a) Major recommendations or reports made to Congress on proposals for
legislation in instances where the agency has primary responsibility for the
subject matter involved.
(b) Destruction or other disposition of articles condemned after seizure or
whose distribution or use has been enjoined, unless categorically excluded in
§§ 25.30(d) or 25.32(h).
(c) Destruction or other disposition of articles following detention or
recall at agency request, unless categorically excluded in
§§ 25.30(d) or 25.32(h).
(d) Disposition of FDA laboratory waste materials, unless categorically
excluded in § 25.30(m).
(e) Intramural and extramural research supported in whole or in part through
contracts, other agreements, or grants, unless categorically excluded in
§ 25.30 (e) or (f).
(f) Establishment by regulation of labeling requirements, a standard, or a
monograph, unless categorically excluded in §§ 25.30(k) or 25.31
(a), (b), (c), (h), (i), or (j), or 25.32 (a) or (p).
(g) Issuance, amendment, and enforcement of FDA regulations, or an exemption
or variance from FDA regulations, unless categorically excluded in
§ 25.30 (h), (i), or (j), or § 25.32 (e), (g), (n), or
(p).
(h) Withdrawal of existing approvals of FDA-approved articles, unless
categorically excluded in §§ 25.31 (d) or (k), 25.32(m), or
25.33 (g) or (h).
(i) Approval of food additive petitions and color additive petitions,
approval of requests for exemptions for investigational use of food additives,
the granting of requests for exemption from regulation as a food additive under
§ 170.39 of this chapter, and allowing notifications submitted under
21 U.S.C. 348(h) to become effective, unless categorically excluded in
§ 25.32(b), (c), (i), (j), (k), (l), (o), (q), or (r).
(j) Establishment of a tolerance for unavoidable poisonous or deleterious
substances in food or in packaging materials to be used for food.
(k) Affirmation of a food substance as GRAS for humans or animals, on FDA`s
initiative or in response to a petition, under parts 182, 184, 186, or 582 of
this chapter and establishment or amendment of a regulation for a prior-
sanctioned food ingredient, as defined in §§ 170.3(l) and
181.5(a) of this chapter, unless categorically excluded in § 25.32
(f), (k), or (r).
(l) Approval of NDA`s, abbreviated applications, applications for marketing
approval of a biologic product, supplements to such applications, and actions on
IND`s, unless categorically excluded in § 25.31 (a), (b), (c), (e),
or (l).
(m) Approval of NADA`s, abbreviated applications, supplements, and actions on
INAD`s, unless categorically excluded under § 25.33 (a), (c), (d), or
(e).
(n) Approval of PMA`s for medical devices, notices of completion of PDP`s for
medical devices, authorizations to commence clinical investigation under an
approved PDP, or applications for an IDE, unless categorically excluded in
§ 25.34.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 30355, May 11, 2000]
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Sec. 25.21 Extraordinary circumstances.
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As required under 40 CFR 1508.4, FDA will require at least an EA for any
specific action that ordinarily would be excluded if extraordinary circumstances
indicate that the specific proposed action may significantly affect the quality
of the human environment (see 40 CFR 1508.27 for examples of significant
impacts). Examples of such extraordinary circumstances include:
(a) Actions for which available data establish that, at the expected level of
exposure, there is the potential for serious harm to the environment; and
(b) Actions that adversely affect a species or the critical habitat of a
species determined under the Endangered Species Act or the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna to be
endangered or threatened or wild flora or fauna that are entitled to special
protection under some other Federal law.
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Sec. 25.22 Actions requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement.
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(a) There are no categories of agency actions that routinely significantly
affect the quality of the human environment and that therefore ordinarily
require the preparation of an EIS.
(b) EIS`s are prepared for agency actions when evaluation of data or
information in an EA or otherwise available to the agency leads to a finding by
the responsible agency official that a proposed action may significantly affect
the quality of the human environment.
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Subpart C -- Categorical Exclusions
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The classes of actions listed in this section and §§ 25.31
through 25.34 are categorically excluded and, therefore, ordinarily do not
require the preparation of an EA or an EIS:
(a) Routine administrative and management activities, including inspections,
and issuance of field compliance programs, program circulars, or field
investigative assignments.
(b) Recommendation for an enforcement action to be initiated in a Federal
court.
(c) Agency requests for initiation of recalls.
(d) Destruction or disposition of any FDA-regulated article condemned after
seizure or the distribution or use of which has been enjoined or following
detention or recall at agency request if the method of destruction or
disposition of the article, including packaging material, is in compliance with
all Federal, State, and local requirements.
(e) Extramural contracts, other agreements, or grants for statistical and
epidemiological studies, surveys and inventories, literature searches, and
report and manual preparation, or any other studies that will not result in the
production or distribution of any substance and, therefore, will not result in
the introduction of any substance into the environment.
(f) Extramural contracts, other agreements, and grants for research for such
purposes as to develop analytical methods or other test methodologies.
(g) Activities of voluntary Federal-State cooperative programs, including
issuance of model regulations proposed for State adoption.
(h) Issuance, amendment, or revocation of procedural or administrative
regulations and guidance documents, including procedures for submission of
applications for product development, testing and investigational use, and
approval.
(i) Corrections and technical changes in regulations.
(j) Issuance of CGMP regulations, HACCP regulations, establishment standards,
emergency permit control regulations, GLP regulations, and issuance or denial of
permits, exemptions, variances, or stays under these regulations.
(k) Establishment or repeal by regulation of labeling requirements for
marketed articles if there will be no increase in the existing levels of use or
change in the intended uses of the product or its substitutes.
(l) Routine maintenance and minor construction activities such as:
(1) Repair to or replacement of equipment or structural components (e.g.,
door, roof, or window) of facilities controlled by FDA;
(2) Lease extensions, renewals, or succeeding leases;
(3) Construction or lease construction of 10,000 square feet or less of
occupiable space;
(4) Relocation of employees into existing owned or currently leased space;
(5) Acquisition of 20,000 square feet or less of occupiable space in a
structure that was substantially completed before the issuance of solicitation
for offers; and
(6) Acquisition of between 20,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet of
occupiable space if it constitutes less than 40 percent of the occupiable space
in a structure that was substantially completed before the solicitation for
offers.
(m) Disposal of low-level radioactive waste materials (as defined in the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations at 10 CFR 61.2) and chemical waste
materials generated in the laboratories serviced by the contracts administered
by FDA, if the waste is disposed of in compliance with all applicable Federal,
State, and local requirements.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 56479, Sept. 19, 2000]
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Sec. 25.31 Human drugs and biologics.
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The classes of actions listed in this section are categorically excluded and,
therefore, ordinarily do not require the preparation of an EA or an EIS:
(a) Action on an NDA, abbreviated application, application for marketing
approval of a biologic product, or a supplement to such applications, or action
on an OTC monograph, if the action does not increase the use of the active
moiety.
(b) Action on an NDA, abbreviated application, or a supplement to such
applications, or action on an OTC monograph, if the action increases the use of
the active moiety, but the estimated concentration of the substance at the point
of entry into the aquatic environment will be below 1 part per billion.
(c) Action on an NDA, abbreviated application, application for marketing
approval of a biologic product, or a supplement to such applications, or action
on an OTC monograph, for substances that occur naturally in the environment when
the action does not alter significantly the concentration or distribution of the
substance, its metabolites, or degradation products in the environment.
(d) Withdrawal of approval of an NDA or an abbreviated application.
(e) Action on an IND.
(f) Testing and release by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
of lots or batches of a licensed biologic product.
(g) Establishment of bioequivalence requirements for a human drug or a
comparability determination for a biologic product subject to licensing.
(h) Issuance, revocation, or amendment of a standard for a biologic product.
(i) Revocation of a license for a biologic product.
(j) Action on an application for marketing approval for marketing of a
biologic product for transfusable human blood or blood components and plasma.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 26697, May 13, 1998; 64
FR 399, Jan. 5, 1999]
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Sec. 25.32 Foods, food additives, and color additives.
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The classes of actions listed in this section are categorically excluded and,
therefore, ordinarily do not require the preparation of an EA or an EIS:
(a) Issuance, amendment, or repeal of a food standard.
(b) Action on a request for exemption for investigational use of a food
additive if the food additive to be shipped under the request is intended to be
used for clinical studies or research.
(c) Approval of a color additive petition to change a provisionally listed
color additive to permanent listing for use in food, drugs, devices, or
cosmetics.
(d) Testing and certification of batches of a color additive.
(e) Issuance of an interim food additive regulation.
(f) Affirmation of a food substance as GRAS for humans or animals on FDA`s
initiative or in response to a petition, under parts 182, 184, 186, or 582 of
this chapter, and establishment or amendment of a regulation for a prior-
sanctioned food ingredient, as defined in §§ 170.3(l) and
181.5(a) of this chapter, if the substance or food ingredient is already
marketed in the United States for the proposed use.
(g) Issuance and enforcement of regulations relating to the control of
communicable diseases or to interstate conveyance sanitation under parts 1240
and 1250 of this chapter.
(h) Approval of a request for diversion of adulterated or misbranded food for
humans or animals to use as animal feeds.
(i) Approval of a food additive petition or GRAS affirmation petition, the
granting of a request for exemption from regulation as a food additive under
§ 170.39 of this chapter, or allowing a notification submitted under
21 U.S.C. 348(h) to become effective, when the substance is present in finished
food-packaging material at not greater than 5 percent-by-weight and is expected
to remain with finished food-packaging material through use by consumers or when
the substance is a component of a coating of a finished food-packaging material.
(j) Approval of a food additive petition or GRAS affirmation petition, the
granting of a request for exemption from regulation as a food additive under
§ 170.39 of this chapter, or allowing a notification submitted under
21 U.S.C. 348(h) to become effective, when the substance is to be used as a
component of a food-contact surface of permanent or semipermanent equipment or
of another food-contact article intended for repeated use.
(k) Approval of a food additive petition, color additive petition, or GRAS
affirmation petition, or allowing a notification submitted under 21 U.S.C.
348(h) to become effective, for substances added directly to food that are
intended to remain in food through ingestion by consumers and that are not
intended to replace macronutrients in food.
(l) Approval of a petition for color additives used in contact lenses,
sutures, filaments used as supporting haptics in intraocular lenses, bone
cement, and in other FDA-regulated products having similarly low levels of use.
(m) Action to prohibit or otherwise restrict or reduce the use of a substance
in food, food packaging, or cosmetics.
(n) Issuance, amendment, or revocation of a regulation pertaining to infant
formulas.
(o) Approval of a food additive petition for the intended expression
product(s) present in food derived from new plant varieties.
(p) Issuance, amendment, or revocation of a regulation in response to a
reference amount petition as described in § 101.12(h) of this
chapter, a nutrient content claim petition as described in § 101.69
of this chapter, a health claim petition as described in § 101.70 of
this chapter, or a petition pertaining to the label declaration of ingredients
as described in § 101.103 of this chapter.
(q) Approval of a food additive petition, the granting of a request for
exemption from regulation as a food additive under § 170.39 of this
chapter, or allowing a notification submitted under 21 U.S.C. 348(h) to become
effective for a substance registered by the Environmental Protection Agency
under FIFRA for the same use requested in the petition, request for exemption,
or notification.
(r) Approval of a food additive petition, color additive, GRAS affirmation
petition, or allowing a notification submitted under 21 U.S.C. 348(h) to become
effective for a substance that occurs naturally in the environment, when the
action does not alter significantly the concentration or distribution of the
substance, its metabolites, or degradation products in the environment.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 30355, May 11, 2000]
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The classes of actions listed in this section are categorically excluded and,
therefore, ordinarily do not require the preparation of an EA or an EIS:
(a) Action on an NADA, abbreviated application, or a supplement to such
applications, if the action does not increase the use of the drug. Actions to
which this categorical exclusion applies may include:
(1) An animal drug to be marketed under the same conditions of approval as a
previously approved animal drug;
(2) A combination of previously approved animal drugs;
(3) A new premix or other formulation of a previously approved animal drug;
(4) Changes specified in § 514.8 (a)(5), (a)(6), or (d) of this
chapter;
(5) A change of sponsor;
(6) A previously approved animal drug to be contained in medicated feed
blocks under § 510.455 of this chapter or as a liquid feed supplement
under § 558.5 of this chapter; or
(7) Approval of a drug for use in animal feeds if such drug has been approved
under § 514.2 or 514.9 of this chapter for other uses.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) Action on an NADA, abbreviated application, or a supplement to such
applications, for substances that occur naturally in the environment when the
action does not alter significantly the concentration or distribution of the
substance, its metabolites, or degradation products in the environment.
(d) Action on an NADA, abbreviated application, or a supplement to such
applications, for:
(1) Drugs intended for use in nonfood animals;
(2) Anesthetics, both local and general, that are individually administered;
(3) Nonsystemic topical and ophthalmic animal drugs;
(4) Drugs for minor species, including wildlife and endangered species, when
the drug has been previously approved for use in another or the same species
where similar animal management practices are used; and
(5) Drugs intended for use under prescription or veterinarian`s order for
therapeutic use in terrestrial species.
(e) Action on an INAD.
(f) Action on an application submitted under section 512(m) of the act.
(g) Withdrawal of approval of an NADA or an abbreviated NADA.
(h) Withdrawal of approval of a food additive petition that reduces or
eliminates animal feed uses of a food additive.
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Sec. 25.34 Devices and electronic products.
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The classes of actions listed in this section are categorically excluded and,
therefore, ordinarily do not require the preparation of an EA or an EIS:
(a) Action on a device premarket notification submission under subpart E of
part 807 of this chapter.
(b) Classification or reclassification of a device under part 860 of this
chapter.
(c) Issuance, amendment, or repeal of a standard for a class II medical
device or an electronic product, and issuance of exemptions or variances from
such a standard.
(d) Approval of a PMA or a notice of completion of a PDP or amended or
supplemental applications or notices for a class III medical device if the
device is of the same type and for the same use as a previously approved device.
(e) Changes in the PMA or a notice of completion of a PDP for a class III
medical device that do not require submission of an amended or supplemental
application or notice.
(f) Issuance of a restricted device regulation if it will not result in
increases in the existing levels of use or changes in the intended uses of the
product or its substitutes.
(g) Action on an application for an IDE or an authorization to commence a
clinical investigation under an approved PDP.
(h) Issuance of a regulation exempting from preemption a requirement of a
State or political subdivision concerning a device, or a denial of an
application for such exemption.
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Subpart D -- Preparation of Environmental Documents
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Sec. 25.40 Environmental assessments.
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(a) As defined by CEQ in 40 CFR 1508.9, an EA is a concise public document
that serves to provide sufficient evidence and analysis for an agency to
determine whether to prepare an EIS or a FONSI. The EA shall include brief
discussions of the need for the proposal, of alternatives as required by section
102(2)(E) of NEPA, of the environmental impacts of the proposed action and
alternatives, and a listing of agencies and persons consulted. An EA shall be
prepared for each action not categorically excluded in §§ 25.30,
25.31, 25.32, 25.33, or 25.34. The EA shall focus on relevant environmental
issues relating to the use and disposal from use of FDA-regulated articles and
shall be a concise, objective, and well-balanced document that allows the public
to understand the agency`s decision. If potentially adverse environmental
impacts are identified for an action or a group of related actions, the EA shall
discuss any reasonable alternative course of action that offers less
environmental risk or that is environmentally preferable to the proposed action.
The use of a scientifically justified tiered testing approach, in which testing
may be stopped when the results suggest that no significant impact will occur,
is an acceptable approach.
(b) Generally, FDA requires an applicant to prepare an EA and make necessary
corrections to it. Ultimately, FDA is responsible for the scope and content of
EA`s and may include additional information in environmental documents when
warranted.
(c) Information concerning the nature and scope of information that an
applicant or petitioner shall submit in an EA may be obtained from the center or
other office of the agency having responsibility for the action that is the
subject of the environmental evaluation. Applicants and petitioners are
encouraged to submit proposed protocols for environmental studies for technical
review by agency staff. Applicants and petitioners also are encouraged to
consult applicable FDA EA guidance documents, which provide additional advice on
how to comply with FDA regulations.
(d) Consistent with 40 CFR 1500.4(j) and 1502.21, EA`s may incorporate by
reference information presented in other documents that are available to FDA and
to the public.
(e) The agency evaluates the information contained in an EA and any public
input to determine whether it is accurate and objective, whether the proposed
action may significantly affect the quality of the human environment, and
whether an EIS or a FONSI will be prepared. The responsible agency official
examines the environmental risks of the proposed action and the alternative
courses of action, selects a course of action, and ensures that any necessary
mitigating measures are implemented as a condition for approving the selected
course of action.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 69 FR 17291, Apr. 2, 2004]
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Sec. 25.41 Findings of no significant impact.
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(a) As defined by the CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1508.13), a FONSI is a document
prepared by a Federal agency stating briefly why an action, not otherwise
excluded, will not significantly affect the human environment and for which,
therefore, an EIS will not be prepared. A FONSI includes the EA or a summary of
it and a reference to any other related environmental documents.
(b) The agency official(s) responsible for approving the FONSI will sign the
document, thereby establishing that the official(s) approve(s) the conclusion
not to prepare an EIS for the action under consideration.
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Sec. 25.42 Environmental impact statements.
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(a) As defined by CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1508.11) and section 102(2)(C) of
NEPA, an EIS should be a clear, concise, and detailed written statement
describing:
(1) The environmental impacts of a proposed action;
(2) Any adverse effects that cannot be avoided if the action is implemented;
(3) Alternatives to the action;
(4) The relationship between local short-term uses of the environment and the
maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity; and
(5) Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be
involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.
(b) The CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1501.7 and part 1502) describe the process
for determining the scope of an EIS and provide detailed requirements for the
preparation of draft and final EIS`s. CEQ format and procedures for preparing
EIS shall be followed.
(c) Under the conditions prescribed in 40 CFR 1502.9, the agency will prepare
a supplement for a draft or final EIS and introduce the supplement into the
administrative record.
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Sec. 25.43 Records of decision.
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(a) In cases requiring environmental impact statements, at the time of its
decision, the agency shall prepare a concise public record of decision.
(b) The record of decision shall:
(1) State what the decision was;
(2) Identify and discuss alternatives considered by the agency in reaching
its decision;
(3) State whether all practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental
harm have been adopted, and if not, why not; and
(4) Summarize the program for monitoring and enforcing the practicable means
adopted to avoid or minimize the environmental harm.
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Sec. 25.44 Lead and cooperating agencies.
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For actions requiring the preparation of an EIS, FDA and other affected
Federal agencies will agree which will be the lead agency and which will be the
cooperating agencies. The responsibilities of lead agencies and cooperating
agencies are described in the CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1501.5 and 1501.6,
respectively). If an action affects more than one center within FDA, the
Commissioner of Food and Drugs will designate one of these units to be
responsible for coordinating the preparation of any required environmental
documentation.
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Sec. 25.45 Responsible agency official.
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(a) The responsible agency official prepares the environmental documents or
ensures that they are prepared.
(b) The responsible agency official will weigh any environmental impacts of
each alternative course of action, including possible mitigation measures, and
will balance environmental impacts with the agency`s objectives in choosing an
appropriate course of action. The weighing of any environmental impacts of
alternatives in selecting a final course of action will be reflected in the
agency`s record of formal decisionmaking as required by 40 CFR 1505.2.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 69 FR 17291, Apr. 2, 2004]
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Subpart E -- Public Participation and Notification of
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Sec. 25.50 General information.
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(a) To the extent actions are not protected from disclosure by existing law
applicable to the agency`s operation, FDA will involve the public in preparing
and implementing its NEPA procedures and will provide public notice of NEPA-
related hearings, public meetings, and the availability of environmental
documents.
(b) Many FDA actions involving investigations, review, and approval of
applications, and premarket notifications for human drugs, animal drugs,
biologic products, and devices are protected from disclosure under the Trade
Secret Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905, and 301(j) of the act. These actions are also
protected from disclosure under FDA`s regulations including part 20,
§§ 312.130(a), 314.430(b), 514.11(b), 514.12(a), 601.50(a),
601.51(a), 807.95(b), 812.38(a), and 814.9(b) of this chapter. Even the
existence of applications for human drugs, animal drugs, biologic products, and
devices is protected from disclosure under these regulations. Therefore, unless
the existence of applications for human drugs, animal drugs, biologic products,
or premarket notification for devices has been made publicly available, the
release of the environmental document before approval of human drugs, animal
drugs, biologic products, and devices is inconsistent with statutory
requirements imposed on FDA. Appropriate environmental documents, comments, and
responses will be included in the administrative record to the extent allowed by
applicable laws.
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Sec. 25.51 Environmental assessments and findings of no significant impact.
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(a) Data and information that are protected from disclosure by 18 U.S.C. 1905
or 21 U.S.C. 331(j) or 360j(c) shall not be included in the portion of
environmental documents that is made public. When such data and information are
pertinent to the environmental review of a proposed action, an applicant or
petitioner shall submit such data and information separately in a confidential
section and shall summarize the confidential data and information in the EA to
the extent possible.
(b) FONSI`s and EA`s will be available to the public in accordance with 40
CFR 1506.6 as follows:
(1) When the proposed action is the subject of a notice of proposed
rulemaking or a notice of filing published in the Federal
Register, the notice shall state that no EIS is necessary and that the FONSI
and the EA are available for public inspection at FDA`s Division of Dockets
Management. If the responsible agency official is unable to complete
environmental consideration of the proposed action before a notice of filing of
a food or color additive petition is required to be published under the act, and
if the subsequent environmental analysis leads to the conclusion that no EIS is
necessary, the final regulation rather than the notice of filing shall state
that no EIS is necessary and that the FONSI and the EA are available upon
request and filed in FDA`s Division of Dockets Management.
(2) For actions for which notice is not published in the Federal
Register, the FONSI and the EA shall be made available to the public upon
request according to the procedures in 40 CFR 1506.6.
(3) For a limited number of actions, the agency may make the FONSI and EA
available for public review (including review by State and areawide information
clearinghouses) for 30 days before the agency makes its final determination
whether to prepare an EIS and before the action may begin, as described in 40
CFR 1501.4(e). This procedure will be followed when the proposed action is, or
is closely similar to, one that normally requires an EIS or when the proposed
action is one without precedent.
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Sec. 25.52 Environmental impact statements.
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(a) If FDA determines that an EIS is necessary for an action involving
investigations or approvals for drugs, animal drugs, biologic products, or
devices, an EIS will be prepared but will become available only at the time of
the approval of the product. Disclosure will be made in accordance with 40 CFR
1506.6 and part 20 of this chapter. The EIS will in all other respects conform
to the requirements for EIS`s as specified in 40 CFR part 1502 and 1506.6(f).
(b) Comments on the EIS may be submitted after the approval of the drug,
animal drug, biologic product, or device. Those comments can form the basis for
the agency to consider beginning an action to withdraw the approval of
applications for a drug, animal drug, or biologic product, or to withdraw
premarket notifications or premarket approval applications for devices.
(c) In those cases where the existence of applications and premarket
notifications for drugs, animal drugs, biologic products, or devices has already
been disclosed before the agency approves the action, the agency will make
diligent effort (40 CFR 1506.6) to involve the public in preparing and
implementing the NEPA procedures for EIS`s while following its own disclosure
requirements including those listed in part 20, §§ 312.130(b),
314.430(d), 514.11(d), 514.12(b), 601.51(d), 807.95(e), 812.38(b), and 814.9(d)
of this chapter.
(d) Draft and final EIS`s, comments, and responses will be included in the
administrative record and will be available from the Division of Dockets
Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm.
1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
[62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 24879, May 9, 2003]
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Subpart F -- Other Requirements
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Sec. 25.60 Environmental effects abroad of major agency actions.
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(a) In accordance with Executive Order 12114, “Environmental Effects
Abroad of Major Federal Actions” of January 4, 1979 (44 FR 1957, January
9, 1979), the responsible agency official, in analyzing actions under his or her
program, shall consider the environmental effects abroad, including whether the
actions involve:
(1) Potential environmental effects on the global commons and areas outside
the jurisdiction of any nation, e.g., oceans and the upper atmosphere.
(2) Potential environmental effects on a foreign nation not participating
with or otherwise involved in an FDA activity.
(3) The export of products (or emissions) that in the United States are
prohibited or strictly regulated because their effects on the environment create
a serious public health risk.
(4) Potential environmental effects on natural and ecological resources of
global importance designated under the Executive Order.
(b) Before deciding on any action falling into the categories specified in
paragraph (a) of this section, the responsible agency official shall determine,
in accordance with section 2-3 of the Executive Order, whether such
actions may have a significant environmental effect abroad.
(c) If the responsible agency official determines that an action may have a
significant environmental effect abroad, the responsible agency official shall
determine, in accordance with section 2-4 (a) and (b) of the Executive
Order, whether the subject action calls for:
(1) An EIS;
(2) A bilateral or multilateral environmental study; or
(3) A concise environmental review.
(d) In preparing environmental documents under this subpart, the responsible
official shall:
(1) Determine, as provided in section 2-5 of the Executive Order,
whether proposed actions are subject to the exemptions, exclusions, and
modification in contents, timing, and availability of documents.
(2) Coordinate all communications with foreign governments concerning
environmental agreements and other arrangements in implementing the Executive
Order.
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Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321–393; 42 U.S.C. 262, 263b–264;
42 U.S.C. 4321, 4332; 40 CFR parts 1500–1508; E.O. 11514, 35 FR 4247, 3
CFR, 1971 Comp., p. 531–533 as amended by E.O. 11991, 42 FR 26967, 3 CFR,
1978 Comp., p. 123–124 and E.O. 12114, 44 FR 1957, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p.
356–360.
Source: 62 FR 40592, July 29, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
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