About FDA
SMG 1312.6
FDA STAFF MANUAL GUIDES, VOLUME I - ORGANIZATIONS AND FUNCTIONS
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF GLOBAL AND REGULATORY OPERATIONS AND POLICY
OFFICE OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF OPERATIONS
REGIONAL FIELD OFFICE, CENTRAL REGION, CHICAGO, IL
DISTRICT OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA, PA
Effective Date: 08/07/2012
1. DISTRICT OFFICE - PHILADELPHIA, PA (DLLRLE).
A. Provides managerial direction to that portion of the Agency's field programs assigned to the District to achieve compliance with the laws and regulations for which the District is responsible through appropriate voluntary correction or regulatory action.
B. Manages resource allocations, money, and people and evaluates use of the resources to assure program accomplishments.
C. Conducts investigations and inspections and analyzes samples of foods, drugs, and other commodities for which the Agency has regulatory responsibility.
D. Determines the acceptability of items, subject to the Agency's jurisdiction, for entry into this country through examination of available records, product inspection, or by sampling and laboratory examination of the product followed by release, detention, and/or rejection.
E. Conducts administrative hearings on alleged violations and initiates appropriate enforcement action.
F. Recommends legal action to Headquarters, to the Office of the Chief Counsel, to the U.S. attorney (when such direct reference is authorized) and assists in implementing approved action.
G. Provides analytical and inspectional support in programs for which the Agency has responsibility.
H. Conducts research to develop and refine analytical methodology and to explore new systems of analysis.
I. Manages and evaluates program activities, measures accomplishments against annual field work plan objectives, initiates management and program analyses, manages a quality assurance program, and advises the Regional Food and Drug Director regarding strategy changes needed to reach existing or modified objectives.
J. Develops short- and long-range work plans, staffing needs, and budgetary proposals for the District's assigned portion of nationwide and regional programs.
K. Advises the Regional Food and Drug Director and appropriate Headquarters components on new or emerging problems and trends, future program needs and priorities, State legislative activities, manpower, equipment, financial needs, and long-range planning.
L. Manages, evaluates, and audits the program aspects of Federal-State contracts.
M. Manages an equal employment opportunity and career development and training program.
N. Conducts consumer affairs and information programs; receives and responds to consumer inquiries and complaints.
O. Coordinates emergency activities by maintaining liaison with other Federal agencies and by providing assistance to States and localities in the event of a national disaster or other emergency.
P. Provides administrative management support for program and operational activities, including fiscal, procurement, and personnel management and management of facilities, services, and supplies.
Q. Maintains working liaison with other Federal offices providing support services to the Agency.
R. Manages the District's management information system.
S. Coordinates the equal employment opportunity, internal security, safety, and emergency preparedness programs.
2. COMPLIANCE BRANCH (DLLRLE2).
A. Reviews and evaluates evidence and findings indicating a possible lack of compliance with Agency-enforced laws and regulations; determines the most suitable course of action and, if necessary, recommends legal action to Headquarters, to the Office of the Chief Counsel, or to the responsible U.S. attorney; and maintains working liaison with U.S. attorneys and U.S. marshals in implementing approved action.
B. Assures that court-ordered actions are completed on time and in total fulfillment of the court's order.
C. Conducts administrative hearings on alleged violations and initiates enforcement action.
D. Issues regulatory and/or Notice of Adverse Findings letters to regulated industry appropriate to violative conditions found, and issues notices of detention and refusals on violative import products.
E. Answers inquiries from other Federal agencies, foreign missions, industry, and importers regarding interpretations of Agency-enforced laws and regulations, case status, and enforcement policies.
F. Maintains liaison with U.S. Customs officials to facilitate import inspections and regulations, and institutes and coordinates detentions and refusals of violative products offered for import.
G. Assists State and local cooperative officials in the development of uniform legislation, codes, and regulations. Advises cooperative officials on interpretation of Federal laws, regulations and enforcement policies, and provides consultation relative to joint regulatory approaches.
H. Plans, organizes, and implements in cooperation with other field components, comprehensive industry education, training, and technical advice programs designed to promote voluntary compliance and self regulation by industries and industry associations, research institutions, and professional practitioners.
I. Directs a freedom of information program consistent with Agency policy.
3. INVESTIGATIONS BRANCH (DLLRLE3).
A. Inspects establishments subject to laws and regulations enforced by the Agency; collects samples for analysis; performs field analyses; and prepares reports on findings of each inspection.
B. Evaluates inspectional and analytical findings relative to compliance or noncompliance and determines appropriate follow up. Makes recommendations to other District activities when regulatory action is indicated.
C. Performs special investigations, including District responsibilities under the Government wide Quality Assurance Program; investigates reports of adverse experience with any Agency-regulated products; and performs epidemiological investigations of food poisonings and premarketing clearance investigations of drugs and devices.
D. Monitors recalls and performs follow-up activities to assess recall effectiveness and prevent recurrences.
E. Provides inspectional and investigational support to the Headquarters components as needed.
F. Plans, schedules, and controls inspectional operations; and formulates, implements, and coordinates domestic and import investigational work plans.
G. Provides counsel and training regarding inspectional techniques and technical developments to other Federal agencies; to State, local, and foreign counterpart agencies; and to industry under the District's voluntary compliance efforts.
H. Maintains cooperative relationships with State and local counterpart agencies and develops work and information sharing agreements.
I. Manages, evaluates, and audits the program aspects of Federal-State contracts.
J. Prepares and provides evidence of investigational findings as requested.
K. Maintains liaison with U.S. Customs officials to facilitate investigations and sampling of articles being imported or offered for import.
L. Detains medical devices, in cooperation with USDA, detains meat, poultry, or egg products that may be violative.
M. Receives and responds to consumer complaints.
Resident Posts: Harrisburg PA (DLLRLE3B); Pittsburgh PA (DLLRLE3C); Wilkes-Barre PA (DLLRLE3D) and Wilmington DE (DLLRLE3E).
Inspects establishments subject to laws and regulations enforced by the Agency; conducts special investigations; collects samples for analysis; performs field analyses; and prepares reports on findings of each inspection and/or investigation. Maintains cooperative relationships with State and local counterpart agencies, and develops work and information sharing agreements. Presents consumer education and information programs to schools and other organizations.
4. LABORATORY BRANCH (DLLRLE4).
A. Plans, schedules, and controls laboratory operations; and formulates, implements, and coordinates laboratory work plans.
B. Performs laboratory analysis of samples to:
1. Assess their compliance with laws and regulations enforced by the Agency.
2. Obtain information through national surveillance programs for the purpose of identifying potential problems or trends.
C. Provides evidence regarding analytical findings as requested.
D. Conducts research to develop and refine methodology used in the analysis of samples and to explore new systems of analysis.
E. Serves as a resource in scientific knowledge and provides expert advice and training regarding laboratory techniques and technological developments to other Federal agencies, State and local agencies, foreign counterpart agencies, and industry.
F. Maintains liaison with scientists and scientific bodies with interests pertinent to laboratory activities.
G. Provides analytical support to Headquarters components as needed.
5. AUTHORITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
The functional statements for this District Office were approved by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, effective August 7, 2012.
