Biological products: Spore-forming microorganisms; requirements; effective date,
[Federal Register: May 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 94)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26768-26769]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14my04-6]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 2003N-0528]
Revision of the Requirements for Spore-Forming Microorganisms; Confirmation of Effective Date
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Direct final rule; confirmation of effective date.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confirming the effective date of June 1, 2004, for the direct final rule that appeared in the
[[Page 26769]]
Federal Register of December 30, 2003 (68 FR 75116). The direct final rule amends the biologics regulations by providing options to the existing requirement for separate, dedicated facilities and equipment for work with spore-forming microorganisms. This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule.
DATES: Effective date confirmed: June 1, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie A. Butler, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM-17), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 301-827- 6210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of December 30, 2003 (68 FR 75116), FDA issued a direct final rule amending the biologics regulations by providing options to the existing requirement for separate, dedicated facilities and equipment for work with spore- forming microorganisms. The regulations were amended due to advances in facility, system, and equipment design and in sterilization technologies that allow work with spore-forming microorganisms to be performed in multiproduct manufacturing areas.
FDA solicited comments concerning the direct final rule for a 75- day period ending March 15, 2004. FDA stated that the effective date of the direct final rule would be on June 1, 2004, unless any significant adverse comment was submitted to FDA during the comment period. FDA received only one comment (from private industry) on the direct final rule. The comment requested FDA to revise Sec. 600.11(e)(4) (21 CFR 600.11(e)(4)), and asked whether this rulemaking affects the interpretation of Sec. 600.11(e)(4). That comment is beyond the scope of this rulemaking, which is not intended to affect the requirements for live vaccine processing set forth in Sec. 600.11(e)(4). FDA has determined that the received comment is not a significant adverse comment.
Authority: Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act and under authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the amendments issued thereby become effective on June 1, 2004.
Dated: May 7, 2004. Jeffrey Shuren, Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 04-11027 Filed 5-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S
