83_FR_2102 83 FR 2092 - Clarification of When Products Made or Derived From Tobacco Are Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or Combination Products; Amendments to Regulations Regarding “Intended Uses”; Proposed Partial Delay of Effective Date

83 FR 2092 - Clarification of When Products Made or Derived From Tobacco Are Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or Combination Products; Amendments to Regulations Regarding “Intended Uses”; Proposed Partial Delay of Effective Date

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 10 (January 16, 2018)

Page Range2092-2097
FR Document2018-00555

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is proposing to delay the effective date of certain portions of a final rule published in the Federal Register of January 9, 2017. In the Federal Register of February 7, 2017, we delayed until March 21, 2017, the effective date of the final rule. In the Federal Register of March 20, 2017, we further delayed the effective date of the final rule until March 19, 2018, and invited public comment on the rule. This action, if finalized, will delay until further notice the effective date of the portions of the final rule amending FDA's existing regulations describing the types of evidence that may be considered in determining a medical product's intended uses. FDA received a number of comments on the final rule that raise questions about the amendments to the existing medical product ``intended use'' regulations. FDA is proposing to delay the effective date of the amendments to the existing medical product ``intended use'' regulations to allow further consideration of the substantive issues raised in the comments received. This action, if finalized, will not further delay the effective date of the new regulation that describes the circumstances in which a product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption will be subject to regulation as a drug, device, or a combination product under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2092-2097]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00555]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Parts 201, 801, and 1100

[Docket No. FDA-2015-N-2002]
RIN 0910-AH94


Clarification of When Products Made or Derived From Tobacco Are 
Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or Combination Products; Amendments to 
Regulations Regarding ``Intended Uses''; Proposed Partial Delay of 
Effective Date

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

[[Page 2093]]


ACTION: Proposed rule; partial delay of effective date.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is 
proposing to delay the effective date of certain portions of a final 
rule published in the Federal Register of January 9, 2017. In the 
Federal Register of February 7, 2017, we delayed until March 21, 2017, 
the effective date of the final rule. In the Federal Register of March 
20, 2017, we further delayed the effective date of the final rule until 
March 19, 2018, and invited public comment on the rule. This action, if 
finalized, will delay until further notice the effective date of the 
portions of the final rule amending FDA's existing regulations 
describing the types of evidence that may be considered in determining 
a medical product's intended uses. FDA received a number of comments on 
the final rule that raise questions about the amendments to the 
existing medical product ``intended use'' regulations. FDA is proposing 
to delay the effective date of the amendments to the existing medical 
product ``intended use'' regulations to allow further consideration of 
the substantive issues raised in the comments received. This action, if 
finalized, will not further delay the effective date of the new 
regulation that describes the circumstances in which a product made or 
derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption will be 
subject to regulation as a drug, device, or a combination product under 
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

DATES: Submit either electronic or written comments on this proposed 
rule by February 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule for partial 
delay as follows. Electronic comments must be submitted on or before 
February 5, 2018. The https://www.regulations.gov electronic filing 
system will accept comments until midnight Eastern Time at the end of 
February 5, 2018. Comments received by mail/hand delivery/courier (for 
written/paper submissions) will be considered timely if they are 
postmarked or the delivery service acceptance receipt is on or before 
that date. Please note that late, untimely filed comments will not be 
considered.

Electronic Submissions

    Submit electronic comments in the following way:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments submitted 
electronically, including attachments, to https://www.regulations.gov 
will be posted to the docket unchanged. Because your comment will be 
made public, you are solely responsible for ensuring that your comment 
does not include any confidential information that you or a third party 
may not wish to be posted, such as medical information, your or anyone 
else's Social Security number, or confidential business information, 
such as a manufacturing process. Please note that if you include your 
name, contact information, or other information that identifies you in 
the body of your comments, that information will be posted on https://www.regulations.gov.
     If you want to submit a comment with confidential 
information that you do not wish to be made available to the public 
submit the comment as a written/paper submission and in the manner 
detailed (see ``Written/Paper Submissions'' and ``Instructions.'')

Written/Paper Submissions

    Submit written/paper submissions as follows:
     Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for written/paper 
submissions): Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
     For written/paper comments submitted to the Dockets 
Management Staff, FDA will post your comment, as well as any 
attachments, except for information submitted, marked and identified, 
as confidential, if submitted as detailed in ``Instructions.''
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket No. 
FDA-2015-N-2002 for ``Clarification of When Products Made or Derived 
from Tobacco Are Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or Combination Products; 
Amendments to Regulations Regarding `Intended Uses'; Proposed Partial 
Delay of Effective Date.'' Received comments, those filed in a timely 
manner (see ADDRESSES), will be placed in the docket and, except for 
those submitted as ``Confidential Submissions,'' publicly viewable at 
https://www.regulations.gov or at the Dockets Management Staff between 
9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
     Confidential Submissions--To submit a comment with 
confidential information that you do not wish to be made publicly 
available, submit your comments only as a written/paper submission. You 
should submit two copies total. One copy will include the information 
you claim to be confidential with a heading or cover note that states 
``THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.'' The Agency will 
review this copy, including the claimed confidential information, in 
its consideration of comments. The second copy, which will have the 
claimed confidential information redacted/blacked out, will be 
available for public viewing and posted on https://www.regulations.gov. 
Submit both copies to the Dockets Management Staff. If you do not wish 
your name and contact information to be made publicly available, you 
can provide this information on the cover sheet and not in the body of 
your comments and you must identify this information as 
``confidential.'' Any information marked as ``confidential'' will not 
be disclosed except in accordance with 21 CFR 10.20 and other 
applicable disclosure law. For more information about FDA's posting of 
comments to public dockets, see 80 FR 56469, September 18, 2015, or 
access the information at: http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-18/pdf/2015-23389.pdf.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
the electronic and written/paper comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number, found in brackets in 
the heading of this document, into the ``Search'' box and follow the 
prompts and/or go to the Dockets Management Staff, 5630 Fishers Lane, 
Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelley Nduom, Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research, Office of Regulatory Policy, Food and Drug 
Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, Rm. 6221, Silver 
Spring, MD 20993, 301-796-8597, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of January 9, 2017 (82 FR 2193), FDA 
published a final rule entitled ``Clarification of When Products Made 
or Derived From Tobacco Are Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or Combination 
Products; Amendments to Regulations Regarding `Intended Uses.' '' The 
final rule added a new regulation (Sec.  1100.5) to title 21 of the CFR 
to describe the circumstances in which a product made or derived from 
tobacco that is intended for human consumption will be subject to 
regulation as a drug, device, or a combination product under the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The rule also amended 
FDA's existing regulations describing the types of evidence that may be 
considered in determining a medical product's intended uses (21 CFR 
201.128 (drugs) and 21 CFR 801.4 (devices)).

[[Page 2094]]

    In the Federal Register of February 7, 2017 (82 FR 9501), in 
accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant 
to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ``Regulatory Freeze 
Pending Review,'' we delayed, until March 21, 2017, the effective date 
of the final rule. In the Federal Register of March 20, 2017 (82 FR 
14319), we further delayed the effective date of the final rule until 
March 19, 2018, and reopened the docket to invite additional public 
comment on the rule.
    The comments we received are summarized below. To allow further 
consideration of the substantive issues raised in these comments, FDA 
is proposing to delay the effective date of the amendments to the 
existing medical product ``intended use'' regulations (Sec. Sec.  
201.128 and 801.4) contained in the final rule of January 9, 2017, 
until further notice. See 21 CFR 10.35(a) and (b) (stating that FDA 
``may at any time stay or extend the effective date of an action 
pending or following a decision on any matter'' and recognizing that 
the stay may be ``for an indefinite time period''). The Agency must 
solicit public comment on this proposed delay, consider the comments 
submitted, and prepare and publish a final notification of the delay 
before March 19, 2018, when the final rule is scheduled to take effect. 
In light of this limited timeframe, it is impracticable to provide 60 
days for comment on this proposed delay. Thus, the Commissioner of Food 
and Drugs finds good cause under 21 CFR 10.40(b)(2) for providing a 
shortened comment period, ending February 5, 2018. In light of the date 
on which the current delay of the effective date will expire unless 
further extended, no extensions on the comment period will be granted.

II. Summary of Comments Received in the Reopened Docket of the Final 
Rule

    Fifteen comments were submitted to the docket for the January 9, 
2017 final rule after the docket was reopened on March 20, 2017. These 
comments were submitted by the drug and device industries, various 
associations, academia, and individual submitters including a health 
professional and a consumer. A brief summary of these comments is 
included below.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ This summary is not intended to be a comprehensive 
discussion of the comments nor should it be construed to suggest 
that FDA has made any decisions about the substantive issues raised 
in the comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Two of the comments submitted to the docket related to the new 
regulation included in the final rule that describes circumstances in 
which a product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human 
consumption will be subject to regulation as a drug, device, or a 
combination product under the FD&C Act (Sec.  1100.5). One comment 
criticized the modified risk tobacco product provisions of the FD&C 
Act. The other comment supported the new regulation and criticized the 
delay in its issuance. Neither comment sought a delay in the effective 
date of that new regulation.
    Thirteen of the 15 comments submitted to the docket related to the 
amendments to FDA's existing regulations describing the types of 
evidence that may be considered in determining a medical product's 
intended use (Sec. Sec.  201.128 and 801.4). Many of these comments 
opposed what they described as a broadening from the September 25, 
2015, proposed rule (see 80 FR 57756 at 57764 to 57765) of the types of 
evidence that could be considered in determining intended use, and 
specifically raised concerns with the ``totality of the evidence'' 
language included in the final rule. Several of these comments urged a 
narrowing of the types of evidence that could be considered in 
determining intended use. Some comments stated that only promotional or 
external claims should be included in the consideration of intended 
use, while other comments asserted that scientific exchange, truthful 
non-misleading communications, and/or mere knowledge of unapproved use 
should be expressly excluded from consideration. In contrast, a few 
comments stated that the types of evidence included in the final rule 
were appropriate at least for certain subsets of medical products, such 
as wholly unapproved medical products and non-prescription devices.
    Several comments raised legal concerns with the final rule, 
including arguments to the effect that the rule: (1) Violates the First 
Amendment by regulating truthful speech regarding lawful activity; (2) 
violates the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment to the extent 
that the types of evidence to be considered are not clearly defined; 
(3) unlawfully interferes with the practice of medicine; and (4) 
departs from relevant statutory text, legislative history, case law, 
and FDA past practices. Several comments asserted that the January 9, 
2017, final rule was issued in violation of the notice requirement 
under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) based on the inclusion of 
the ``totality of the evidence'' language in that final rule.
    In addition to these legal concerns, several comments asserted that 
the final rule could have potentially negative public health 
implications, including impeding important communications between 
manufacturers and patients, healthcare professionals, and payors; 
reducing healthcare options for patients; and harming patient outcomes. 
In contrast, another comment asserted that narrowing the scope of 
evidence of intended use could jeopardize the Agency's ability to take 
enforcement actions against illicit substances, counterfeit products, 
and synthetic drugs, among other products.
    Based on some of the above concerns, several comments urged FDA to 
stay indefinitely or revoke the final rule. Other comments recommended 
that FDA adopt the ``intended use'' language proposed in the September 
25, 2015, proposed rule, or engage in a new rulemaking.

III. Scope of and Rationale for the Proposed Partial Delay of the 
Effective Date of the Final Rule

    We are proposing to delay the effective date of the portions of the 
final rule amending the existing medical product ``intended use'' 
regulations (Sec. Sec.  201.128 and 801.4) until further notice, to 
allow for additional consideration of the issues raised in the comments 
described above. This action should not be construed to indicate that 
FDA has made any decisions about either the substantive arguments made 
in these comments or the issues discussed in previous Federal Register 
notifications regarding the amendments to these ``intended use'' 
regulations.
    When the Agency proposed amendments to the existing intended use 
regulations in 2015, the objective was not to reflect a change in FDA's 
approach regarding evidence of intended use for drugs and devices. 
These proposed amendments were intended to better reflect FDA's 
existing interpretation and application of these regulations (see 80 FR 
57756 at 57761). Specifically, the amendments were intended to clarify 
that FDA would not regard a firm as intending an unapproved new use for 
an approved or cleared drug or device based solely on that firm's 
knowledge that its product was being prescribed or used by doctors for 
such use (see 80 FR 57756 at 57761). FDA proposed to delete the last 
sentence of the intended use regulations to provide this clarification, 
in addition to some other changes.
    In the Federal Register of January 9, 2017, we published final 
regulations adding new Sec.  1100.5 to title 21 of the CFR and amending 
the intended use regulations found at Sec. Sec.  201.128 and 801.4. The 
provisions in the final rule amending the intended use regulations were 
modified from the proposed rule because of comments we received that

[[Page 2095]]

suggested to us that the proposed changes might not provide adequate 
clarity to manufacturers (see 82 FR 2193 at 2207). Significant comments 
were submitted on the proposed rule that indicated misunderstanding of 
the very limited scope of what FDA intended by the proposed changes to 
the intended use provisions.
    In response to the new language in the final rule, a petition 
raising concerns with the final language was submitted by various 
industry organizations on February 8, 2017 (``petition'' and 
``petitioners''). The petition requests that FDA reconsider the 
amendments to the ``intended use'' regulations and issue a new final 
rule that, with respect to the intended use regulations at Sec. Sec.  
201.128 and 801.4, reverts to the language of the September 25, 2015, 
proposed rule. The petition also requests that FDA indefinitely stay 
the rule. Petitioners ask that the final rule be stayed indefinitely 
and reconsidered for two independent reasons (petition at pg. 10). 
First, they argue that the final rule was issued in violation of the 
fair notice requirement under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) 
(petition at pgs. 10-13). Second, they argue that the ``totality of the 
evidence'' language in the final rule is a new and unsupported legal 
standard (petition at pgs. 10, 13-21). The petitioners contend that the 
final rule unexpectedly expanded the understanding of intended use, and 
that adding the new final sentence referencing the ``totality of the 
evidence'' was a reversal of the proposed rule that violates the APA's 
notice-and-comment provisions (petition at pg. 11). Petitioners express 
the view that the wording used in the proposed rule would have helped 
to address substantial concerns they have regarding FDA's intended use 
definitions, while the final rule exacerbates those concerns (petition 
at pg. 11). These concerns include constitutional concerns (petition at 
pg. 19-21), and public health concerns related to chilling valuable 
scientific speech (petition at pg. 21). Based in part on the questions 
raised by the petition, we further delayed the effective date of the 
final rule until March 19, 2018, and reopened the docket to invite 
additional public comment on the rule.
    The issues raised by the petition, as well as the comments we have 
received on the 2015 proposed rule, the January 2017 delay of the 
effective date, and the March 2017 delay of the effective date 
(discussed above in section II) underscore for FDA the potential for 
confusion related to the language in the final rule. ``Intended use'' 
is fundamental to medical product jurisdiction under the FD&C Act (21 
U.S.C. 321(g) (definition of ``drug'') and 21 U.S.C. 321(h) (definition 
of ``device'')). Lack of clarity regarding the text of the final rule 
might affect FDA's medical product jurisdiction in ways that FDA did 
not intend when it set out to clarify one point regarding ``intended 
use.'' Although FDA remains committed to the goal of the intended use 
rulemaking because it reflects current agency policy, FDA has 
tentatively concluded, for the reasons set forth above, that the Agency 
needs additional time for further consideration. FDA continues to work 
diligently on the issues relating to intended use raised in the 
underlying rulemaking and remains committed to rulemaking on this 
issue.
    FDA does not propose to further delay the effective date of the 
portions of the final rule that issued a new regulation that describes 
the circumstances in which a product made or derived from tobacco that 
is intended for human consumption will be subject to regulation as a 
drug, device, or a combination product (Sec.  1100.5). As noted, the 
Agency did not receive any comments requesting that we further delay 
the effective date of Sec.  1100.5 or that we make any changes to that 
regulation. The effective date of Sec.  1100.5 remains March 19, 2018.

IV. Economic Analysis of Impacts

    We have examined the impacts of the proposed rule under Executive 
Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, Executive Order 13771, the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), and the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4). Executive Orders 12866 and 
13563 direct us to assess all costs and benefits of available 
regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select 
regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). Executive Order 13771 
requires that the costs associated with significant new regulations 
``shall, to the extent permitted by law, be offset by the elimination 
of existing costs associated with at least two prior regulations.'' We 
believe that this proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action 
as defined by Executive Order 12866. Moreover, this proposed rule is an 
action that does not impose more than de minimis costs and, 
consequently, is not a regulatory or deregulatory action for the 
purposes of Executive Order 13771.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires us to analyze regulatory 
options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule on small 
entities. Because we expect the proposed rule to impose negligible 
costs, if any, we propose to certify that the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (section 202(a)) requires 
us to prepare a written statement, which includes an assessment of 
anticipated costs and benefits, before proposing ``any rule that 
includes any Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year.'' The current threshold after adjustment 
for inflation is $148 million, using the most current (2016) Implicit 
Price Deflator for the Gross Domestic Product. This proposed rule would 
not result in expenditure in any year that meets or exceeds this 
amount.
    In table 1, we provide the Regulatory Information Service Center 
and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Consolidated 
Information Center accounting information.

                                   Table 1--Summary of Benefits, Costs and Distributional Effects of the Proposed Rule
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                Units
                                                                                                  ---------------------------------
            Category               Primary  estimate       Low  estimate        High  estimate                             Period           Notes
                                                                                                      Year     Discount   covered
                                                                                                    dollars    rate (%)   (years)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits:
    Annualized.................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          7         10  ....................
    Monetized $millions/year...  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          3         10  ....................
    Annualized.................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          7         10  ....................

[[Page 2096]]

 
    Quantified.................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          3         10  ....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Qualitative................  None                                                                                               ....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs:
    Annualized.................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          7         10  ....................
    Monetized $millions/year...  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          3         10  ....................
    Annualized.................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          7         10  ....................
    Quantified.................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          3         10  ....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Qualitative................  Negligible costs, if any.                                                                          ....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfers:
    Federal....................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          7         10  ....................
     Annualized................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          3         10  ....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Monetized $/year...........  From:
                                 To:                                                               .........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Other......................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          3         10  ....................
    Annualized.................  ....................  ....................  ....................       2016          3         10  ....................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Monetized $/year...........  From:
                                 To:                                                               .........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effects:
    State, Local or Tribal Government: None
    Small Business: None
    Wages: None
    Growth: None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On January 9, 2017, we published the final rule ``Clarification of 
When Products Made or Derived from Tobacco are Regulated as Drugs, 
Devices, or Combination Products; Amendments to Regulations Regarding 
`Intended Uses'.'' We refer to this final rule as the Clarifications 
Final Rule in this section of the preamble. The Clarifications Final 
Rule included changes to the ``intended uses'' provisions for medical 
products. In the Federal Register of March 20, 2017, we further delayed 
the effective date of the final rule--we extended the effective date of 
the Clarifications Final Rule to March 19, 2018 and reopened the docket 
to invite public comments on the medical products ``intended uses'' 
provisions. Comments submitted to the docket revealed a number of 
stakeholders had questions and concerns about possible implications of 
our revised ``intended uses'' provisions for medical products. Thus, 
the proposed rule would delay until further notice the changes to the 
``intended uses'' provisions in the Clarifications Final Rule, and give 
all stakeholders and FDA sufficient time to consider the substantive 
issues raised by the comments to the docket.
    When we conducted our economic analysis of the final rule that 
published on January 9, 2017, we expected that the benefits and costs 
of the rule for drug sponsors and for device manufacturers would be 
negligible, if any, because we anticipated that the final rule would 
leave the existing policies for these industries unchanged. As 
discussed in section II, we revised the intended use provisions for 
medical products in the final rule to clarify our position that the 
intended use of a medical products can be based on any relevant source 
of evidence, including a variety of direct and circumstantial evidence. 
Thus, we expected that the final rule would maintain the status quo and 
not impact current business practices.
    Comments submitted to the reopened docket for the January 9, 2017, 
final rule indicate that at least some of the medical products 
industries believe that the final rule would change current practices 
and impose new burdens not captured in our final regulatory impact 
analysis. By delaying the final rule's intended use provisions for 
medical products, this proposed rule would maintain the status quo for 
medical products.
    We judge that the proposed rule, if finalized, would thus avoid any 
potential unintended burden caused by the final rule. Moreover, drug 
sponsors and medical device manufacturers would likely learn about the 
proposed rule through industry news sources and not incur one-time 
costs to learn about the rule. We request comment on our assumptions.

V. Analysis of Environmental Impact

    We have determined under 21 CFR 25.20(h) that this action is of a 
type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental 
assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

VI. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    FDA has determined that this proposed rule contains no collection 
of information as defined by 5 CFR 1320.3(c). Therefore, clearance by 
the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 is not required.

VII. Federalism

    We have analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with the 
principles set forth in Executive Order 13132. We have determined that 
this proposed rule does not contain policies that have substantial 
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various

[[Page 2097]]

levels of government. Accordingly, we conclude that the rule does not 
contain policies that have federalism implications as defined in the 
Executive Order and, consequently, a federalism summary impact 
statement is not required.

VIII. Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    We have analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with the 
principles set forth in Executive Order 13175. We have tentatively 
determined that the rule does not contain policies that would have a 
substantial direct effect on one or more Indian Tribes, on the 
relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian Tribes. The Agency solicits comments from tribal 
officials on any potential impact on Indian Tribes from this proposed 
action.

IX. Other Issues for Consideration

    This proposed rule would only delay the effective date of the 
portions of a final rule amending the ``intended use'' regulations for 
medical products (Sec. Sec.  201.128 and 801.4), published in the 
Federal Register of January 9, 2017. Therefore, comments to this 
proposed rule should pertain to this delay of the effective date only 
with respect to such provisions.

X. Request for Comments

    FDA is proposing to delay, until further notice, the effective date 
of the amendments to Sec. Sec.  201.128 and 801.4 that were published 
at 82 FR 2193 on January 9, 2017. FDA had previously delayed the 
effective date on February 7, 2017 (82 FR 9501), and on March 20, 2017 
(82 FR 14319). FDA requests comment on this proposal to further delay 
the effective date of the amendments to Sec. Sec.  201.128 and 801.4.

    Dated: January 10, 2018.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-00555 Filed 1-12-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P



                                                 2092                   Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 under the criteria of the Regulatory                    (g) Inspections, Modification, and                     appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a
                                                 Flexibility Act.                                        Replacement                                            principal inspector, the manager of the local
                                                                                                            (1) For airplanes equipped with RTL return          flight standards district office/certificate
                                                 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39                      spring part number BA–670–93465–1 or                   holding district office.
                                                   Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation                E0650–069–02750S: Within 800 flight hours                 (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
                                                                                                         or 4 months after the effective date of this           requirement in this AD to obtain corrective
                                                 safety, Incorporation by reference,
                                                                                                         AD, whichever occurs first, do a detailed              actions from a manufacturer, the action must
                                                 Safety.                                                                                                        be accomplished using a method approved
                                                                                                         visual inspection of the casing of the primary
                                                 The Proposed Amendment                                  actuator for signs of chafing or missing paint,        by the Manager, New York ACO Branch,
                                                                                                         and all applicable corrective actions; replace         FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation
                                                   Accordingly, under the authority                                                                             (TCCA); or Bombardier Inc.’s TCCA Design
                                                                                                         the RTL return springs; and do an eddy
                                                 delegated to me by the Administrator,                   current inspection of the lugs of the RTL              Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by
                                                 the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part                   limiter arm assembly for cracks, and modify            the DAO, the approval must include the
                                                 39 as follows:                                          or replace the RTL limiter arm assembly, as            DAO-authorized signature.
                                                                                                         applicable; in accordance with Part A of the           (j) Related Information
                                                 PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS                                   Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
                                                 DIRECTIVES                                              Service Bulletin 670BA–27–070, Revision B,                (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
                                                                                                         dated March 31, 2017. Accomplishment of                Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian
                                                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39                 the actions specified in Bombardier Service            AD CF–2017–19, dated June 6, 2017, for
                                                 continues to read as follows:                           Bulletin 670BA–27–059 does not meet the                related information. This MCAI may be
                                                                                                         requirements of this paragraph.                        found in the AD docket on the internet at
                                                     Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.                                                                 http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                                                                            (2) For airplanes equipped with RTL return
                                                                                                         spring part number BA–670–93468–1: Within              and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–1246.
                                                 § 39.13   [Amended]
                                                                                                         8,000 flight hours after the effective date of            (2) For more information about this AD,
                                                 ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by                          this AD, do a detailed visual inspection of            contact Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer,
                                                 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)                   the RTL return springs for signs of chafing,           Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section,
                                                 2014–02–01, Amendment 39–17729 (79                      and applicable corrective actions; a detailed          FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart
                                                 FR 7382, February 7, 2014), and adding                  visual inspection of the casing of the primary         Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
                                                 the following new AD:                                   actuator for signs of chafing or missing paint,        telephone: 516–228–7318; fax: 516–794–
                                                                                                         and all applicable corrective actions; and do          5531.
                                                 Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2017–                                                                            (3) For service information identified in
                                                                                                         an eddy current inspection of the lugs of the
                                                    1246; Product Identifier 2017–NM–086–                                                                       this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-
                                                                                                         RTL limiter arm assembly for cracks, and
                                                    AD.                                                                                                         Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9,
                                                                                                         modify or replace the RTL limiter arm
                                                 (a) Comments Due Date                                   assembly, as applicable; in accordance with            Canada; Widebody Customer Response
                                                                                                         Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of           Center North America toll-free telephone: 1–
                                                   We must receive comments by March 2,
                                                                                                         Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–070,              866–538–1247 or direct-dial telephone: 1–
                                                 2018.
                                                                                                         Revision B, dated March 31, 2017.                      514–855–2999; fax: 514–855–7401; email:
                                                 (b) Affected ADs                                        Accomplishment of the actions specified in             ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; internet:
                                                    This AD replaces AD 2014–02–01,                      Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–059               http://www.bombardier.com. You may view
                                                 Amendment 39–17729 (79 FR 7382, February                does not meet the requirements of this                 this service information at the FAA,
                                                 7, 2014) (‘‘AD 2014–02–01’’).                           paragraph.                                             Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind
                                                                                                                                                                Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For information on
                                                 (c) Applicability                                       (h) Credit for Previous Actions                        the availability of this material at the FAA,
                                                    This AD applies to the airplanes identified            This paragraph provides credit for actions           call 425–227–1221.
                                                 in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD,             required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those
                                                                                                                                                                  Issued in Renton, Washington, on
                                                 certificated in any category.                           actions were performed before the effective
                                                                                                                                                                December 28, 2017.
                                                    (1) Bombardier, Inc., Model CL–600–2C10              date of this AD using the service information
                                                                                                         specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this        John P. Piccola, Jr.,
                                                 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702)
                                                 airplanes, serial number 10002 through                  AD.                                                    Acting Director, System Oversight Division,
                                                 10344 inclusive.                                          (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–               Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                    (2) Bombardier, Inc., Model CL–600–2D15              27–070, dated December 17, 2015.                       [FR Doc. 2018–00340 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am]
                                                 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes and Model             (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–               BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                 CL–600–2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900)                   27–070, Revision A, dated September 01,
                                                 airplanes, serial numbers 15001 through                 2016.
                                                 15397 inclusive.                                        (i) Other FAA AD Provisions                            DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                                                 (d) Subject                                                (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance               HUMAN SERVICES
                                                   Air Transport Association (ATA) of                    (AMOCs): The Manager, New York ACO
                                                 America Code 27, Flight controls.                       Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve              Food and Drug Administration
                                                                                                         AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
                                                 (e) Reason                                              procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In                   21 CFR Parts 201, 801, and 1100
                                                    This AD was prompted by reports that                 accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
                                                 when installing the rudder travel limiter               request to your principal inspector or local           [Docket No. FDA–2015–N–2002]
                                                 (RTL) return springs, the RTL limiter arm               Flight Standards District Office, as
                                                                                                                                                                RIN 0910–AH94
                                                 assembly lug can become deformed. We are                appropriate. If sending information directly
                                                 issuing this AD to prevent deformed RTL                 to the manager of the ACO, send it to ATTN:
                                                                                                                                                                Clarification of When Products Made
                                                 limiter arm assembly lugs, which can lead to            Program Manager, Continuing Operational
                                                                                                                                                                or Derived From Tobacco Are
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 failure of the limiter arm assembly lug. In             Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600
                                                 combination with failure of the RTL, failure            Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY                Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or
                                                 of the limiter arm assembly lug could result            11590; telephone: 516–228–7300; fax: 516–              Combination Products; Amendments
                                                 in reduced controllability of the airplane.             794–5531. Before using any approved AMOC,              to Regulations Regarding ‘‘Intended
                                                                                                         notify your appropriate principal inspector,           Uses’’; Proposed Partial Delay of
                                                 (f) Compliance                                          or lacking a principal inspector, the manager          Effective Date
                                                    Comply with this AD within the                       of the local flight standards district office/
                                                 compliance times specified, unless already              certificate holding district office. Before            AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,
                                                 done.                                                   using any approved AMOC, notify your                   HHS.


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:42 Jan 12, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\16JAP1.SGM   16JAP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                             2093

                                                 ACTION:  Proposed rule; partial delay of                including attachments, to https://                     the claimed confidential information, in
                                                 effective date.                                         www.regulations.gov will be posted to                  its consideration of comments. The
                                                                                                         the docket unchanged. Because your                     second copy, which will have the
                                                 SUMMARY:    The Food and Drug                           comment will be made public, you are                   claimed confidential information
                                                 Administration (FDA, the Agency, or                     solely responsible for ensuring that your              redacted/blacked out, will be available
                                                 we) is proposing to delay the effective                 comment does not include any                           for public viewing and posted on
                                                 date of certain portions of a final rule                confidential information that you or a                 https://www.regulations.gov. Submit
                                                 published in the Federal Register of                    third party may not wish to be posted,                 both copies to the Dockets Management
                                                 January 9, 2017. In the Federal Register                such as medical information, your or                   Staff. If you do not wish your name and
                                                 of February 7, 2017, we delayed until                   anyone else’s Social Security number, or               contact information to be made publicly
                                                 March 21, 2017, the effective date of the               confidential business information, such                available, you can provide this
                                                 final rule. In the Federal Register of                  as a manufacturing process. Please note                information on the cover sheet and not
                                                 March 20, 2017, we further delayed the                  that if you include your name, contact                 in the body of your comments and you
                                                 effective date of the final rule until                  information, or other information that                 must identify this information as
                                                 March 19, 2018, and invited public                      identifies you in the body of your                     ‘‘confidential.’’ Any information marked
                                                 comment on the rule. This action, if                    comments, that information will be                     as ‘‘confidential’’ will not be disclosed
                                                 finalized, will delay until further notice              posted on https://www.regulations.gov.                 except in accordance with 21 CFR 10.20
                                                 the effective date of the portions of the                 • If you want to submit a comment                    and other applicable disclosure law. For
                                                 final rule amending FDA’s existing                      with confidential information that you                 more information about FDA’s posting
                                                 regulations describing the types of                     do not wish to be made available to the                of comments to public dockets, see 80
                                                 evidence that may be considered in                      public submit the comment as a written/
                                                 determining a medical product’s                                                                                FR 56469, September 18, 2015, or access
                                                                                                         paper submission and in the manner                     the information at: http://www.gpo.gov/
                                                 intended uses. FDA received a number                    detailed (see ‘‘Written/Paper
                                                 of comments on the final rule that raise                                                                       fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-18/pdf/2015-
                                                                                                         Submissions’’ and ‘‘Instructions.’’)                   23389.pdf.
                                                 questions about the amendments to the
                                                 existing medical product ‘‘intended                     Written/Paper Submissions                                 Docket: For access to the docket to
                                                 use’’ regulations. FDA is proposing to                                                                         read background documents or the
                                                                                                            Submit written/paper submissions as                 electronic and written/paper comments
                                                 delay the effective date of the                         follows:                                               received, go to https://
                                                 amendments to the existing medical                         • Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for
                                                 product ‘‘intended use’’ regulations to                                                                        www.regulations.gov and insert the
                                                                                                         written/paper submissions): Dockets
                                                 allow further consideration of the                                                                             docket number, found in brackets in the
                                                                                                         Management Staff (HFA–305), Food and
                                                 substantive issues raised in the                                                                               heading of this document, into the
                                                                                                         Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers
                                                 comments received. This action, if                                                                             ‘‘Search’’ box and follow the prompts
                                                                                                         Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
                                                 finalized, will not further delay the                      • For written/paper comments                        and/or go to the Dockets Management
                                                 effective date of the new regulation that               submitted to the Dockets Management                    Staff, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061,
                                                 describes the circumstances in which a                  Staff, FDA will post your comment, as                  Rockville, MD 20852.
                                                 product made or derived from tobacco                    well as any attachments, except for                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 that is intended for human consumption                  information submitted, marked and                      Kelley Nduom, Center for Drug
                                                 will be subject to regulation as a drug,                identified, as confidential, if submitted              Evaluation and Research, Office of
                                                 device, or a combination product under                  as detailed in ‘‘Instructions.’’                       Regulatory Policy, Food and Drug
                                                 the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic                       Instructions: All submissions received              Administration, 10903 New Hampshire
                                                 Act (FD&C Act).                                         must include the Docket No. FDA–                       Ave., Bldg. 51, Rm. 6221, Silver Spring,
                                                 DATES: Submit either electronic or                      2015–N–2002 for ‘‘Clarification of When                MD 20993, 301–796–8597,
                                                 written comments on this proposed rule                  Products Made or Derived from Tobacco                  kelley.nduom@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                 by February 5, 2018.                                    Are Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                      Combination Products; Amendments to
                                                                                                                                                                I. Background
                                                 on the proposed rule for partial delay as               Regulations Regarding ‘Intended Uses’;
                                                 follows. Electronic comments must be                    Proposed Partial Delay of Effective                       In the Federal Register of January 9,
                                                 submitted on or before February 5, 2018.                Date.’’ Received comments, those filed                 2017 (82 FR 2193), FDA published a
                                                 The https://www.regulations.gov                         in a timely manner (see ADDRESSES),                    final rule entitled ‘‘Clarification of
                                                 electronic filing system will accept                    will be placed in the docket and, except               When Products Made or Derived From
                                                 comments until midnight Eastern Time                    for those submitted as ‘‘Confidential                  Tobacco Are Regulated as Drugs,
                                                 at the end of February 5, 2018.                         Submissions,’’ publicly viewable at                    Devices, or Combination Products;
                                                 Comments received by mail/hand                          https://www.regulations.gov or at the                  Amendments to Regulations Regarding
                                                 delivery/courier (for written/paper                     Dockets Management Staff between 9                     ‘Intended Uses.’ ’’ The final rule added
                                                 submissions) will be considered timely                  a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through                        a new regulation (§ 1100.5) to title 21 of
                                                 if they are postmarked or the delivery                  Friday.                                                the CFR to describe the circumstances
                                                 service acceptance receipt is on or                        • Confidential Submissions—To                       in which a product made or derived
                                                 before that date. Please note that late,                submit a comment with confidential                     from tobacco that is intended for human
                                                 untimely filed comments will not be                     information that you do not wish to be                 consumption will be subject to
                                                 considered.                                             made publicly available, submit your                   regulation as a drug, device, or a
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                         comments only as a written/paper                       combination product under the Federal
                                                 Electronic Submissions                                  submission. You should submit two                      Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C
                                                   Submit electronic comments in the                     copies total. One copy will include the                Act). The rule also amended FDA’s
                                                 following way:                                          information you claim to be confidential               existing regulations describing the types
                                                   • Federal eRulemaking Portal:                         with a heading or cover note that states               of evidence that may be considered in
                                                 https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                 ‘‘THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS                               determining a medical product’s
                                                 instructions for submitting comments.                   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.’’ The                        intended uses (21 CFR 201.128 (drugs)
                                                 Comments submitted electronically,                      Agency will review this copy, including                and 21 CFR 801.4 (devices)).


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:42 Jan 12, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00006   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\16JAP1.SGM   16JAP1


                                                 2094                   Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                    In the Federal Register of February 7,               for human consumption will be subject                  between manufacturers and patients,
                                                 2017 (82 FR 9501), in accordance with                   to regulation as a drug, device, or a                  healthcare professionals, and payors;
                                                 the memorandum of January 20, 2017,                     combination product under the FD&C                     reducing healthcare options for patients;
                                                 from the Assistant to the President and                 Act (§ 1100.5). One comment criticized                 and harming patient outcomes. In
                                                 Chief of Staff, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                   the modified risk tobacco product                      contrast, another comment asserted that
                                                 Freeze Pending Review,’’ we delayed,                    provisions of the FD&C Act. The other                  narrowing the scope of evidence of
                                                 until March 21, 2017, the effective date                comment supported the new regulation                   intended use could jeopardize the
                                                 of the final rule. In the Federal Register              and criticized the delay in its issuance.              Agency’s ability to take enforcement
                                                 of March 20, 2017 (82 FR 14319), we                     Neither comment sought a delay in the                  actions against illicit substances,
                                                 further delayed the effective date of the               effective date of that new regulation.                 counterfeit products, and synthetic
                                                 final rule until March 19, 2018, and                       Thirteen of the 15 comments                         drugs, among other products.
                                                 reopened the docket to invite additional                submitted to the docket related to the                   Based on some of the above concerns,
                                                 public comment on the rule.                             amendments to FDA’s existing                           several comments urged FDA to stay
                                                    The comments we received are                         regulations describing the types of                    indefinitely or revoke the final rule.
                                                 summarized below. To allow further                      evidence that may be considered in                     Other comments recommended that
                                                 consideration of the substantive issues                 determining a medical product’s                        FDA adopt the ‘‘intended use’’ language
                                                 raised in these comments, FDA is                        intended use (§§ 201.128 and 801.4).                   proposed in the September 25, 2015,
                                                 proposing to delay the effective date of                Many of these comments opposed what                    proposed rule, or engage in a new
                                                 the amendments to the existing medical                  they described as a broadening from the                rulemaking.
                                                 product ‘‘intended use’’ regulations                    September 25, 2015, proposed rule (see
                                                                                                                                                                III. Scope of and Rationale for the
                                                 (§§ 201.128 and 801.4) contained in the                 80 FR 57756 at 57764 to 57765) of the
                                                                                                                                                                Proposed Partial Delay of the Effective
                                                 final rule of January 9, 2017, until                    types of evidence that could be
                                                                                                                                                                Date of the Final Rule
                                                 further notice. See 21 CFR 10.35(a) and                 considered in determining intended use,
                                                 (b) (stating that FDA ‘‘may at any time                 and specifically raised concerns with                     We are proposing to delay the
                                                 stay or extend the effective date of an                 the ‘‘totality of the evidence’’ language              effective date of the portions of the final
                                                 action pending or following a decision                  included in the final rule. Several of                 rule amending the existing medical
                                                 on any matter’’ and recognizing that the                these comments urged a narrowing of                    product ‘‘intended use’’ regulations
                                                 stay may be ‘‘for an indefinite time                    the types of evidence that could be                    (§§ 201.128 and 801.4) until further
                                                 period’’). The Agency must solicit                      considered in determining intended use.                notice, to allow for additional
                                                 public comment on this proposed delay,                  Some comments stated that only                         consideration of the issues raised in the
                                                 consider the comments submitted, and                    promotional or external claims should                  comments described above. This action
                                                 prepare and publish a final notification                be included in the consideration of                    should not be construed to indicate that
                                                 of the delay before March 19, 2018,                     intended use, while other comments                     FDA has made any decisions about
                                                 when the final rule is scheduled to take                asserted that scientific exchange,                     either the substantive arguments made
                                                 effect. In light of this limited timeframe,             truthful non-misleading                                in these comments or the issues
                                                 it is impracticable to provide 60 days for              communications, and/or mere                            discussed in previous Federal Register
                                                 comment on this proposed delay. Thus,                   knowledge of unapproved use should be                  notifications regarding the amendments
                                                 the Commissioner of Food and Drugs                      expressly excluded from consideration.                 to these ‘‘intended use’’ regulations.
                                                 finds good cause under 21 CFR                           In contrast, a few comments stated that                   When the Agency proposed
                                                 10.40(b)(2) for providing a shortened                   the types of evidence included in the                  amendments to the existing intended
                                                 comment period, ending February 5,                      final rule were appropriate at least for               use regulations in 2015, the objective
                                                 2018. In light of the date on which the                 certain subsets of medical products,                   was not to reflect a change in FDA’s
                                                 current delay of the effective date will                such as wholly unapproved medical                      approach regarding evidence of
                                                 expire unless further extended, no                      products and non-prescription devices.                 intended use for drugs and devices.
                                                 extensions on the comment period will                      Several comments raised legal                       These proposed amendments were
                                                 be granted.                                             concerns with the final rule, including                intended to better reflect FDA’s existing
                                                                                                         arguments to the effect that the rule: (1)             interpretation and application of these
                                                 II. Summary of Comments Received in                     Violates the First Amendment by                        regulations (see 80 FR 57756 at 57761).
                                                 the Reopened Docket of the Final Rule                   regulating truthful speech regarding                   Specifically, the amendments were
                                                    Fifteen comments were submitted to                   lawful activity; (2) violates the due                  intended to clarify that FDA would not
                                                 the docket for the January 9, 2017 final                process clause of the Fifth Amendment                  regard a firm as intending an
                                                 rule after the docket was reopened on                   to the extent that the types of evidence               unapproved new use for an approved or
                                                 March 20, 2017. These comments were                     to be considered are not clearly defined;              cleared drug or device based solely on
                                                 submitted by the drug and device                        (3) unlawfully interferes with the                     that firm’s knowledge that its product
                                                 industries, various associations,                       practice of medicine; and (4) departs                  was being prescribed or used by doctors
                                                 academia, and individual submitters                     from relevant statutory text, legislative              for such use (see 80 FR 57756 at 57761).
                                                 including a health professional and a                   history, case law, and FDA past                        FDA proposed to delete the last
                                                 consumer. A brief summary of these                      practices. Several comments asserted                   sentence of the intended use regulations
                                                 comments is included below.1                            that the January 9, 2017, final rule was               to provide this clarification, in addition
                                                    Two of the comments submitted to                     issued in violation of the notice                      to some other changes.
                                                 the docket related to the new regulation                requirement under the Administrative                      In the Federal Register of January 9,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 included in the final rule that describes               Procedure Act (APA) based on the                       2017, we published final regulations
                                                 circumstances in which a product made                   inclusion of the ‘‘totality of the                     adding new § 1100.5 to title 21 of the
                                                 or derived from tobacco that is intended                evidence’’ language in that final rule.                CFR and amending the intended use
                                                                                                            In addition to these legal concerns,                regulations found at §§ 201.128 and
                                                   1 This summary is not intended to be a
                                                                                                         several comments asserted that the final               801.4. The provisions in the final rule
                                                 comprehensive discussion of the comments nor
                                                 should it be construed to suggest that FDA has
                                                                                                         rule could have potentially negative                   amending the intended use regulations
                                                 made any decisions about the substantive issues         public health implications, including                  were modified from the proposed rule
                                                 raised in the comments.                                 impeding important communications                      because of comments we received that


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:42 Jan 12, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00007   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\16JAP1.SGM   16JAP1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                                   2095

                                                 suggested to us that the proposed                                the final rule until March 19, 2018, and                                 12866 and 13563 direct us to assess all
                                                 changes might not provide adequate                               reopened the docket to invite additional                                 costs and benefits of available regulatory
                                                 clarity to manufacturers (see 82 FR 2193                         public comment on the rule.                                              alternatives and, when regulation is
                                                 at 2207). Significant comments were                                 The issues raised by the petition, as                                 necessary, to select regulatory
                                                 submitted on the proposed rule that                              well as the comments we have received                                    approaches that maximize net benefits
                                                 indicated misunderstanding of the very                           on the 2015 proposed rule, the January                                   (including potential economic,
                                                 limited scope of what FDA intended by                            2017 delay of the effective date, and the                                environmental, public health and safety,
                                                 the proposed changes to the intended                             March 2017 delay of the effective date                                   and other advantages; distributive
                                                 use provisions.                                                  (discussed above in section II)                                          impacts; and equity). Executive Order
                                                    In response to the new language in the                        underscore for FDA the potential for                                     13771 requires that the costs associated
                                                 final rule, a petition raising concerns                          confusion related to the language in the                                 with significant new regulations ‘‘shall,
                                                 with the final language was submitted                            final rule. ‘‘Intended use’’ is                                          to the extent permitted by law, be offset
                                                 by various industry organizations on                             fundamental to medical product                                           by the elimination of existing costs
                                                 February 8, 2017 (‘‘petition’’ and                               jurisdiction under the FD&C Act (21                                      associated with at least two prior
                                                 ‘‘petitioners’’). The petition requests                          U.S.C. 321(g) (definition of ‘‘drug’’) and                               regulations.’’ We believe that this
                                                 that FDA reconsider the amendments to                            21 U.S.C. 321(h) (definition of                                          proposed rule is not a significant
                                                 the ‘‘intended use’’ regulations and                             ‘‘device’’)). Lack of clarity regarding the                              regulatory action as defined by
                                                 issue a new final rule that, with respect                        text of the final rule might affect FDA’s                                Executive Order 12866. Moreover, this
                                                 to the intended use regulations at                               medical product jurisdiction in ways                                     proposed rule is an action that does not
                                                 §§ 201.128 and 801.4, reverts to the                             that FDA did not intend when it set out                                  impose more than de minimis costs and,
                                                 language of the September 25, 2015,                              to clarify one point regarding ‘‘intended                                consequently, is not a regulatory or
                                                 proposed rule. The petition also                                 use.’’ Although FDA remains committed                                    deregulatory action for the purposes of
                                                 requests that FDA indefinitely stay the                          to the goal of the intended use                                          Executive Order 13771.
                                                 rule. Petitioners ask that the final rule                        rulemaking because it reflects current                                      The Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                 be stayed indefinitely and reconsidered                          agency policy, FDA has tentatively                                       requires us to analyze regulatory options
                                                 for two independent reasons (petition at                         concluded, for the reasons set forth                                     that would minimize any significant
                                                 pg. 10). First, they argue that the final                        above, that the Agency needs additional                                  impact of a rule on small entities.
                                                 rule was issued in violation of the fair                         time for further consideration. FDA                                      Because we expect the proposed rule to
                                                 notice requirement under the                                     continues to work diligently on the
                                                 Administrative Procedure Act (APA)                                                                                                        impose negligible costs, if any, we
                                                                                                                  issues relating to intended use raised in                                propose to certify that the rule will not
                                                 (petition at pgs. 10–13). Second, they                           the underlying rulemaking and remains
                                                 argue that the ‘‘totality of the evidence’’                                                                                               have a significant economic impact on
                                                                                                                  committed to rulemaking on this issue.                                   a substantial number of small entities.
                                                 language in the final rule is a new and                             FDA does not propose to further delay
                                                 unsupported legal standard (petition at                          the effective date of the portions of the                                   The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                 pgs. 10, 13–21). The petitioners contend                         final rule that issued a new regulation                                  of 1995 (section 202(a)) requires us to
                                                 that the final rule unexpectedly                                 that describes the circumstances in                                      prepare a written statement, which
                                                 expanded the understanding of                                    which a product made or derived from                                     includes an assessment of anticipated
                                                 intended use, and that adding the new                            tobacco that is intended for human                                       costs and benefits, before proposing
                                                 final sentence referencing the ‘‘totality                        consumption will be subject to                                           ‘‘any rule that includes any Federal
                                                 of the evidence’’ was a reversal of the                          regulation as a drug, device, or a                                       mandate that may result in the
                                                 proposed rule that violates the APA’s                            combination product (§ 1100.5). As                                       expenditure by State, local, and tribal
                                                 notice-and-comment provisions                                    noted, the Agency did not receive any                                    governments, in the aggregate, or by the
                                                 (petition at pg. 11). Petitioners express                        comments requesting that we further                                      private sector, of $100,000,000 or more
                                                 the view that the wording used in the                            delay the effective date of § 1100.5 or                                  (adjusted annually for inflation) in any
                                                 proposed rule would have helped to                               that we make any changes to that                                         one year.’’ The current threshold after
                                                 address substantial concerns they have                           regulation. The effective date of § 1100.5                               adjustment for inflation is $148 million,
                                                 regarding FDA’s intended use                                     remains March 19, 2018.                                                  using the most current (2016) Implicit
                                                 definitions, while the final rule                                                                                                         Price Deflator for the Gross Domestic
                                                 exacerbates those concerns (petition at                          IV. Economic Analysis of Impacts                                         Product. This proposed rule would not
                                                 pg. 11). These concerns include                                    We have examined the impacts of the                                    result in expenditure in any year that
                                                 constitutional concerns (petition at pg.                         proposed rule under Executive Order                                      meets or exceeds this amount.
                                                 19–21), and public health concerns                               12866, Executive Order 13563,                                               In table 1, we provide the Regulatory
                                                 related to chilling valuable scientific                          Executive Order 13771, the Regulatory                                    Information Service Center and Office of
                                                 speech (petition at pg. 21). Based in part                       Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612), and                                  Information and Regulatory Affairs
                                                 on the questions raised by the petition,                         the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of                                      Consolidated Information Center
                                                 we further delayed the effective date of                         1995 (Pub. L. 104–4). Executive Orders                                   accounting information.

                                                                  TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF BENEFITS, COSTS AND DISTRIBUTIONAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED RULE
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Units
                                                                                                         Primary                      Low                          High
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                   Category                                                                                                                       Discount       Period    Notes
                                                                                                         estimate                   estimate                     estimate                Year       rate        covered
                                                                                                                                                                                        dollars     (%)         (years)

                                                 Benefits:
                                                    Annualized ...................................   ........................   ........................     ........................      2016             7        10
                                                    Monetized $millions/year .............           ........................   ........................     ........................      2016             3        10
                                                    Annualized ...................................   ........................   ........................     ........................      2016             7        10




                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014     17:42 Jan 12, 2018    Jkt 244001     PO 00000        Frm 00008       Fmt 4702          Sfmt 4702      E:\FR\FM\16JAP1.SGM     16JAP1


                                                 2096                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                         TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF BENEFITS, COSTS AND DISTRIBUTIONAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED RULE—Continued
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Units
                                                                                                                Primary                      Low                          High
                                                                     Category                                                                                                                               Discount       Period      Notes
                                                                                                                estimate                   estimate                     estimate                 Year         rate        covered
                                                                                                                                                                                                dollars       (%)         (years)

                                                       Quantified ....................................      ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             3        10

                                                       Qualitative ....................................     None

                                                 Costs:
                                                     Annualized ...................................         ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             7        10
                                                     Monetized $millions/year .............                 ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             3        10
                                                     Annualized ...................................         ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             7        10
                                                     Quantified ....................................        ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             3        10

                                                       Qualitative ....................................     Negligible costs, if any.

                                                 Transfers:
                                                     Federal .........................................      ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             7        10
                                                     Annualized ...................................         ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             3        10

                                                       Monetized $/year .........................           From:                                                                              To:

                                                       Other ............................................   ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             3        10
                                                       Annualized ...................................       ........................   ........................     ........................         2016             3        10

                                                       Monetized $/year .........................           From:                                                                              To:

                                                 Effects:
                                                     State, Local or Tribal Government: None
                                                     Small Business: None
                                                     Wages: None
                                                     Growth: None



                                                    On January 9, 2017, we published the                                 benefits and costs of the rule for drug                                     rule through industry news sources and
                                                 final rule ‘‘Clarification of When                                      sponsors and for device manufacturers                                       not incur one-time costs to learn about
                                                 Products Made or Derived from Tobacco                                   would be negligible, if any, because we                                     the rule. We request comment on our
                                                 are Regulated as Drugs, Devices, or                                     anticipated that the final rule would                                       assumptions.
                                                 Combination Products; Amendments to                                     leave the existing policies for these                                       V. Analysis of Environmental Impact
                                                 Regulations Regarding ‘Intended Uses’.’’                                industries unchanged. As discussed in
                                                 We refer to this final rule as the                                      section II, we revised the intended use                                       We have determined under 21 CFR
                                                 Clarifications Final Rule in this section                               provisions for medical products in the                                      25.20(h) that this action is of a type that
                                                 of the preamble. The Clarifications Final                               final rule to clarify our position that the                                 does not individually or cumulatively
                                                 Rule included changes to the ‘‘intended                                 intended use of a medical products can                                      have a significant effect on the human
                                                 uses’’ provisions for medical products.                                 be based on any relevant source of                                          environment. Therefore, neither an
                                                 In the Federal Register of March 20,                                    evidence, including a variety of direct                                     environmental assessment nor an
                                                 2017, we further delayed the effective                                  and circumstantial evidence. Thus, we                                       environmental impact statement is
                                                 date of the final rule—we extended the                                  expected that the final rule would                                          required.
                                                 effective date of the Clarifications Final                              maintain the status quo and not impact                                      VI. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
                                                 Rule to March 19, 2018 and reopened                                     current business practices.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       FDA has determined that this
                                                 the docket to invite public comments on                                    Comments submitted to the reopened                                       proposed rule contains no collection of
                                                 the medical products ‘‘intended uses’’                                  docket for the January 9, 2017, final rule                                  information as defined by 5 CFR
                                                 provisions. Comments submitted to the                                   indicate that at least some of the                                          1320.3(c). Therefore, clearance by the
                                                 docket revealed a number of                                             medical products industries believe that                                    Office of Management and Budget under
                                                 stakeholders had questions and                                          the final rule would change current                                         the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 is
                                                 concerns about possible implications of                                 practices and impose new burdens not                                        not required.
                                                 our revised ‘‘intended uses’’ provisions                                captured in our final regulatory impact
                                                 for medical products. Thus, the                                         analysis. By delaying the final rule’s                                      VII. Federalism
                                                 proposed rule would delay until further                                 intended use provisions for medical                                           We have analyzed this proposed rule
                                                 notice the changes to the ‘‘intended                                    products, this proposed rule would                                          in accordance with the principles set
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 uses’’ provisions in the Clarifications                                 maintain the status quo for medical                                         forth in Executive Order 13132. We
                                                 Final Rule, and give all stakeholders                                   products.                                                                   have determined that this proposed rule
                                                 and FDA sufficient time to consider the                                    We judge that the proposed rule, if                                      does not contain policies that have
                                                 substantive issues raised by the                                        finalized, would thus avoid any                                             substantial direct effects on the States,
                                                 comments to the docket.                                                 potential unintended burden caused by                                       on the relationship between the
                                                    When we conducted our economic                                       the final rule. Moreover, drug sponsors                                     National Government and the States, or
                                                 analysis of the final rule that published                               and medical device manufacturers                                            on the distribution of power and
                                                 on January 9, 2017, we expected that the                                would likely learn about the proposed                                       responsibilities among the various


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014        18:43 Jan 12, 2018       Jkt 244001      PO 00000        Frm 00009       Fmt 4702          Sfmt 4702      E:\FR\FM\16JAP1.SGM        16JAP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                              2097

                                                 levels of government. Accordingly, we                   ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                               additional submission methods, please
                                                 conclude that the rule does not contain                 AGENCY                                                 contact the person identified in the FOR
                                                 policies that have federalism                                                                                  FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
                                                 implications as defined in the Executive                40 CFR Part 52                                         For the full EPA public comment policy,
                                                 Order and, consequently, a federalism                   [EPA–R01–OAR–2017–0697; FRL–9972–98–                   information about CBI or multimedia
                                                 summary impact statement is not                         Region 1]                                              submissions, and general guidance on
                                                 required.                                                                                                      making effective comments, please visit
                                                                                                         Air Plan Approval; Connecticut;                        www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-
                                                 VIII. Consultation and Coordination                     Revision of the Low Emission Vehicles                  dockets. Publicly available docket
                                                 With Indian Tribal Governments                          Program                                                materials are available at
                                                                                                                                                                www.regulations.gov or at the U.S.
                                                   We have analyzed this proposed rule                   AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                      Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
                                                 in accordance with the principles set                   Agency (EPA).                                          New England Regional Office, Office of
                                                 forth in Executive Order 13175. We                      ACTION: Proposed rule.                                 Ecosystem Protection, Air Quality
                                                 have tentatively determined that the                                                                           Planning Unit, 5 Post Office Square—
                                                                                                         SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection
                                                 rule does not contain policies that                                                                            Suite 100, Boston, MA. EPA requests
                                                                                                         Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
                                                 would have a substantial direct effect on               State Implementation Plan (SIP)                        that if at all possible, you contact the
                                                 one or more Indian Tribes, on the                       revision submitted by the State of                     contact listed in the FOR FURTHER
                                                 relationship between the Federal                        Connecticut on December 14, 2015. This                 INFORMATION CONTACT section to
                                                 Government and Indian Tribes, or on                     SIP revision includes Connecticut’s                    schedule your inspection. The Regional
                                                 the distribution of power and                           revised regulation for new motor vehicle               Office’s official hours of business are
                                                 responsibilities between the Federal                    emission standards. Connecticut has                    Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
                                                 Government and Indian Tribes. The                       updated its rule to be consistent with                 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays.
                                                 Agency solicits comments from tribal                    various updates made to California’s                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric
                                                 officials on any potential impact on                    low emission vehicle (LEV) program.                    Rackauskas, Air Quality Planning Unit,
                                                 Indian Tribes from this proposed action.                The Connecticut LEV regulations also                   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                                                                         include updates to the zero emission                   EPA New England Regional Office, 5
                                                 IX. Other Issues for Consideration                      vehicle (ZEV) provision. Connecticut                   Post Office Square, Suite 100 (mail
                                                    This proposed rule would only delay                  has adopted these revisions to reduce                  code: OEP05–2), Boston, MA 02109–
                                                                                                         emissions of volatile organic                          3912, telephone number (617) 918–
                                                 the effective date of the portions of a
                                                                                                         compounds (VOC), particulate matter                    1628, fax number (617) 918–0628, email
                                                 final rule amending the ‘‘intended use’’
                                                                                                         (PM), and nitrogen oxides (NOX) in                     rackauskas.eric@epa.gov.
                                                 regulations for medical products
                                                                                                         accordance with the requirements of the                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                 (§§ 201.128 and 801.4), published in the                Clean Air Act (CAA), as well as to                     Throughout this document whenever
                                                 Federal Register of January 9, 2017.                    reduce greenhouse gases. The intended                  ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
                                                 Therefore, comments to this proposed                    effect of this action is to propose                    EPA.
                                                 rule should pertain to this delay of the                approval of Connecticut’s December 14,
                                                 effective date only with respect to such                2015 SIP revision. This action is being                Table of Contents
                                                 provisions.                                             taken under the CAA.                                   I. Background and Purpose
                                                                                                         DATES: Written comments must be                        II. The California LEV Program
                                                 X. Request for Comments                                                                                        III. Relevant EPA and CAA Requirements
                                                                                                         received on or before February 15, 2018.
                                                                                                                                                                IV. Proposed Action
                                                   FDA is proposing to delay, until                      ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                       V. Incorporation by Reference
                                                 further notice, the effective date of the               identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R01–                   VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
                                                 amendments to §§ 201.128 and 801.4                      OAR–2017–0697 at
                                                 that were published at 82 FR 2193 on                    www.regulations.gov, or via email to                   I. Background and Purpose
                                                 January 9, 2017. FDA had previously                     rackauskas.eric@epa.gov. For comments                     On December 14, 2015, the
                                                 delayed the effective date on February 7,               submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the               Connecticut Department of Energy and
                                                 2017 (82 FR 9501), and on March 20,                     online instructions for submitting                     Environmental Protection (DEEP)
                                                 2017 (82 FR 14319). FDA requests                        comments. Once submitted, comments                     submitted a revision to its SIP
                                                 comment on this proposal to further                     cannot be edited or removed from                       consisting of the amended Section 22a–
                                                 delay the effective date of the                         Regulations.gov. For either manner of                  174–36b ‘‘Low Emission Vehicle II
                                                 amendments to §§ 201.128 and 801.4.                     submission, the EPA may publish any                    Program’’ (LEV II) and the newly
                                                                                                         comment received to its public docket.                 adopted Section 22a–174–36c ‘‘Low
                                                   Dated: January 10, 2018.                              Do not submit electronically any                       Emission Vehicle III Program’’ (LEV III)
                                                 Leslie Kux,                                             information you consider to be                         of the Regulations of Connecticut State
                                                 Associate Commissioner for Policy.                      Confidential Business Information (CBI)                Agencies (RCSA). This SIP revision
                                                 [FR Doc. 2018–00555 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am]             or other information whose disclosure is               proposes to adopt regulations to mirror
                                                 BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
                                                                                                         restricted by statute. Multimedia                      the California Air Resources Board
                                                                                                         submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be               (CARB) emission limits for new
                                                                                                         accompanied by a written comment.                      passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                         The written comment is considered the                  medium-duty passenger vehicles sold,
                                                                                                         official comment and should include                    leased, imported, delivered, purchased,
                                                                                                         discussion of all points you wish to                   rented, acquired, or received in the State
                                                                                                         make. The EPA will generally not                       of Connecticut. Connecticut’s amended
                                                                                                         consider comments or comment                           LEV II and adopted LEV III programs
                                                                                                         contents located outside of the primary                were submitted as part of an overall
                                                                                                         submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or                 revision to their ‘‘infrastructure SIP’’ for
                                                                                                         other file sharing system). For                        the 2012 Fine Particle (PM2.5) National


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:42 Jan 12, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\16JAP1.SGM   16JAP1



Document Created: 2018-01-13 02:02:23
Document Modified: 2018-01-13 02:02:23
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule; partial delay of effective date.
DatesSubmit either electronic or written comments on this proposed rule by February 5, 2018.
ContactKelley Nduom, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Regulatory Policy, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, Rm. 6221, Silver Spring, MD 20993, 301-796-8597, [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 2092 
RIN Number0910-AH94
CFR Citation21 CFR 1100
21 CFR 201
21 CFR 801

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR