U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

WHAT DO CONTACT LENSES, DENTAL FLOSS, AND PACEMAKERS HAVE IN COMMON?

Who knew dental floss was a medical device regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? What about contact lenses, sunglasses, tongue depressors, dental floss, or bedpans? How about pacemakers? You guessed it, they all are!

One might naturally think of a product like a defibrillator as a medical device, but in our business, we find many companies unsure if its products are, in fact, medical devices.

The following is the first of a two part series which you may use as a helpful guide to get you through the medical device maze. First is a description of what medical devices are, and helpful hints so that you may identify if your product is regulated as a medical device. Second is a brief overview of FDA’s regulation of medical devices. The second part of the series will discuss the classes of medical devices, and the FDA registration process.

What is a Medical Device? […]

HELP! CBP Seized My Tobacco Products as Drug Paraphernalia, What Now?

Our office has increasingly received requests for guidance on importation of marijuana paraphernalia products to the U.S. where twenty-six (26) states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes and/or personal consumption such as California, Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada. The purpose of this article is to dispel the confusion as to why paraphernalia products (grinders, storage containers, rolling paper, pipes, vape pens, etc.) are continuously being seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), even when such products may be used by tobacco smokers. It is important to address the realities between federal and state laws regulating drug paraphernalia products so importers can avoid CBP’s enforcement of U.S. Laws.

Why Does CBP Stop Drug Paraphernalia?

  • CBP secures America’s borders at and between ports of entry by stopping inadmissible people and illicit goods. The Tariff Act of 1789 provides one of CBP’s core functions: to act as the leading federal agency in determining the admissibility of goods that may enter the Commerce of the United States. Even though each State has internally legalized marijuana either for medical or recreational purposes, CBP still has the express power to authorize or not any merchandise that comes into the U.S. Thus, CBP can detain and seize “drug paraphernalia” even if you did not intend to use the product that purpose pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1595a(c) stating a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 863.

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Here’s a Recap of Part II of our #WorldTradeMonth Seminar Series for Compliance Professionals on FDA FSMA and FSVP

Yesterday, we at DTL, had the pleasure of hosting Part II of our #WorldTradeMonth Seminar Series for Compliance Professionals. The second seminar focused on FDA FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) Compliance for Importers with expert speakers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and industry. We had a packed house with an array of attendees such as importers of food, beverages, and medical devices, along with customs brokers, freight forwarders / NVOCCs, lawyers, consultants, and others. We received requests for a re-cap from those who attended and industry members who were not able to attend. You asked and we deliver. Here is our recap:

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FDA Launches New Webpage to Promote Use of Symbols in Labeling of Medical Device

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a new webpage to assist the public understand the Use of Symbols in Labeling Final Rule. The final rule was issued by the FDA insigns June 2016 and became effective three months later.

FDA intends the final rule to be an attempt to “harmonize the U.S. device labeling requirements for symbols with international regulatory requirements. As the medical device industry has requested the ability to use stand-alone symbols on domestic device labeling, consistent with their current use on devices manufactured for European and other foreign markets.” This is exciting news for our clients who are Medical Device Manufacturers or Importers – as of September 2016 all medical device labeling may use stand-alone symbols!

What does the Use of Symbols in Labeling Final Rule provide for?

  • Permits the use of symbols in all medical device labeling without adjacent explanatory text. This means “stand-alone symbols” may be used, but only if certain requirements are met.
  • Stipulates the use of symbols, accompanied by adjacent explanatory text is still permitted. This means companies are not required to relabel their products, even if they meet the requirements for the use of “stand-alone symbols”.
  • Revises prescription device labeling regulations, now permitting to use the symbol statement “Rx only” or “℞ only” in the labeling for prescription devices.
  • The final rule […]

FREE World Trade Month Seminar on FDA/FSMA COMPLIANCE for Importers

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In celebration of World Trade Month, Diaz Trade Law is hosting a World Trade Month Seminar Series for Compliance Professionals featuring U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) speakers.

Food Importers, here is your chance to learn practical tools for trade! We are providing the trade community a valuable opportunity to speak direct with FDA, Brokers, and legal experts to address any concerns relating to food importations and discuss the upcoming Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) requirement under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The TOP reasons you should attend? 

  1. For a limited time, registration is FREE!
  2. You have the ability to hear DIRECTLY from FDA.
  3. We want the seminars to be informative and all of your questions answered. In that vain, we are currently taking ANY questions you have related to food importation/FSMA for the FDA. Please email your questions today to info@diaztradelaw.com!

You have a limited time to RSVP to this event for FREE!!! Yes, for FREE. We find this information to be invaluable so Diaz Trade Law is sponsoring this event, to bring it to you for FREE. RSVP today! Our full event agenda including the who, what, when, and where is below. Don’t miss it!

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