As mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), foreign food suppliers might need to use accredited third-party certification bodies and obtain certifications for special circumstances.
The use of accredited third-party certification bodies is required to establish eligibility for a foreign supplier to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, known as VQIP, which offers an expedited review and entry of food into the United States.  Moreover, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can require that a high-risk food offered for import be accompanied by a certification from an accredited third-party certification body.  

In December 2016, FDA issued the rule for user fees and the long-awaited final guidance for Model Accreditation Standards.  

Accreditation bodies will evaluate third-party certification bodies for accreditation, monitor the performance of certification bodies, conduct self-assessments, and submit reports and other notifications to FDA as stipulated by the final rule. While the program has not yet launched, FDA has estimated fees for the FY 2017 participation including application fees and an annual fee applicable to a recognized accreditation body and certification body.   The agency will publish its FY2018 rates during CY 2017.

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Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration