Mutual Recognition of Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice Inspection Reports, Medical Device Quality System Audit Reports, and Certain Medical Device Product Evaluation Reports Between the United States and the European Community

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending its regulations pursuant to an international agreement between the United States and the European Community (EC). The agreement is entitled ``Agreement on Mutual Recognition Between the United States of America and the European Community'' (MRA). Under the terms of that agreement, the importing country authority may normally endorse good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspection reports for pharmaceuticals provided by the exporting authority determined by the importing authority to have an equivalent regulatory system. Likewise, the importing country authority may normally endorse medical device quality system evaluation reports and certain medical device product evaluation reports provided by conformity assessment bodies (CAB's) determined by the importing country authority to have equivalent assessment procedures. FDA is taking this action to enhance its ability to ensure the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and medical devices through more efficient and effective utilization of its regulatory resources. The proposed rule which published in the Federal Register on April 10, 1998 (63 FR 17744), carried an incorrect docket number in its heading. This final rule carries the correct docket number.