In a press release on July 13, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the extension of COVID-19 enforcement discretion policies pertaining to s”upplier onsite audits for the FMSA Preventative Controls for Human and Animal Food rules and the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs rule, and onsite monitoring activities and duration of already-issued certifications for the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP), when certain circumstances are met.” FDA also issued updated guidance documents reflecting the extensions. No end date is provided, but according to the press release, “The FDA anticipates that when guidances are no longer needed, the FDA will publicly announce the withdrawal.”

The press release can be found here:

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-updates-duration-enforcement-discretion-policies-two-covid-19-era-fsma-guidances?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Temporary Policy Regarding Accredited Third-Party Certification Program Onsite Observation and Certificate Duration Requirements Due to COVID-19 can be found here:

https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/temporary-policy-regarding-accredited-third-party-certification-program-onsite-observation-and

Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements Due to COVID-19 can be found here:

https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/temporary-policy-regarding-preventive-controls-and-fsvp-food-supplier-verification-onsite-audit