Plain Writing: It's the Law!

  

On October 13, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Plain Writing Act into law. This law requires that all federal agencies use "clear government communication that the public can understand and use." The purpose of the Act is to improve the effectiveness and accountability of Federal Agencies to the public by promoting clear Government communication that the public can use and understand. Put simply, government agencies such as ours should issue communication that:

• Helps you easily find what you need,  
   

• Understand what you hear or read, and, 
   
• Use it the first time you read or hear it.
   

How are we promoting the use of Plain Writing at FDA?

• Expanding awareness about the Plain Writing Act through agency representatives. 
   
• Promoting the use of plain language principles for achieving plain writing through weekly plain language tips. 
   
• Enhancing our web pages with information and resources on plain language.   
   
• Providing training to all staff in a variety of ways inluding online modules, webinars, and traditional classroom settings.  
   
• Providing individualized editorial support and knowledge sharing. 
  
   

Our Commitment to the Public

We, at FDA, are committed to writing new documents in plain language using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines.

We need your help to comply with The Plain Writing Act!

Let us know if you have trouble understanding our documents or the pages on our Web site by e-mailing us at: FDAPlainLanguage@fda.hhs.gov

You can also provide us with feedback by answering our questions in our feedback section on the right side of this page.