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In 1986, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology, which outlined a comprehensive Federal regulatory policy for ensuring the safety of biotechnology products. The Framework was updated in 1992. While the current regulatory system for biotechnology products effectively protects health and the environment, advances in science and technology since 1992 have been altering the product landscape. In addition, the complexity of the array of regulations and guidance documents developed by the three Federal agencies with jurisdiction over biotechnology products can make it difficult for the public to understand how the safety of biotechnology products is evaluated, and navigating the regulatory process for these products can be unduly challenging, especially for small companies.
These circumstances call for revisiting the Coordinated Framework once more. Accordingly, today the White House is issuing a memorandum directing the three Federal agencies that have oversight responsibilities for these products—the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA)— to update the Coordinated Framework, develop a long-term strategy to ensure that the system is prepared for the future products of biotechnology, and commission an expert analysis of the future landscape of biotechnology products to support this effort.
Increasing transparency & predictability in biotechnology regulation
The goal of the effort is to ensure public confidence in the regulatory system and improve the transparency, predictability, coordination, and, ultimately, efficiency of the biotechnology regulatory system. Here is a bit more detail about the effort’s three components:
We want to hear from you
The Administration recognizes the importance of public engagement throughout this process. As part of this process, the Administration will hold three public engagement sessions over the year in different regions of the country. The first listening session will occur in Washington, D.C. in fall 2015. In addition, the update to the Coordinated Framework will undergo public notice and comment before it is finalized. If you would like to be kept up to date on these activities, including details on the listening sessions, please sign up here.
John P. Holdren is Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Howard Shelanski is Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget
Darci Vetter is Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative
Christy Goldfuss is Managing Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality