U.S. importers and foreign suppliers, subject to current U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) requirements, should note specific program compliance changes are scheduled to be effective March 19, 2018. 

At that time, many import shipments subject to FSVP will be required to meet additional requirements. These requirements are dependent on the size of the foreign supplier, nature of the importer and the final published rules related to the following:

1. Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food,
2. Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals (collectively, “PC rules”), or
3. Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (“produce safety rule”).

Many suppliers or importers currently utilizing a ‘small business or foreign supplier’ exemption will be required to fully declare an appropriate U.S.-based FSVP importer at time of entry on or after March 19, 2018. Failure to do so may delay the entry of the related shipment or products.

Information concerning U.S. FDA FSVP import regulations and compliance dates may be found here.

U.S. importers and foreign suppliers of food products for humans or animals are strongly encouraged to carefully review available FSVP information to prevent supply chain disruptions. For additional information and assistance, please contact Delmar International’s U.S. Advisory Services group.