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Guidance & Regulations

Laws, Regulations, and Guidances; FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine

Laws

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) gives FDA and its centers, including the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), their legal authority.  The FD&C Act has been amended over the years by other acts that specifically address CVM’s authority, including: 

Laws Relevant to FDA/CVM


Regulations

FDA issues regulations to implement laws for state and local governments, industry, other organizations, and the general public.  Though they are not laws, regulations have the weight of law.  FDA follows the procedures required by the Administrative Procedure Act when issuing regulations. FDA regulations can be found in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  

FDA Regulations


Guidance Documents

Guidances describe FDA’s current thinking on a topic.  These documents provide additional detail or perspective on matters described in laws and/or regulations, thereby giving stakeholders a better understanding of the Agency’s expectations.  Guidance is not legally binding on the public or the Agency.  

  • Compliance Policy Guides (CPGs) are guidance documents that provide guidance to the field offices regarding compliance policy and other regulatory action.
  • FDA follows the procedures required by its "Good Guidance Practices" regulation to issue FDA guidance.  

Guidance Documents


Federal Register Notices

The Federal Register is the daily journal of the Federal government.  The Federal Register contains federal agency regulations, proposed rules and notices of interest to the public, executive orders, proclamations, and other government documents.


Sub-Topic Paragraphs

Additional Resources Related to Laws, Regulations, and Guidances

Policies and Procedures

CVM’s Policies and Procedures (P&P) Manual provides a quick reference to the rules, regulations, and instructions pertinent to all program areas of CVM's responsibilities, including drafting regulations, reviewing new animal drug applications, monitoring marketed animal drugs, reviewing food additive petitions,, responding to citizen petitions, or performing other work.

Memoranda of Understanding

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a non-binding, formal agreement between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and federal, state, or local government agencies; academic institutions; and other entities (e.g., non-profit organizations). FDA enters into MOUs to define lines of authority or responsibility or to clarify cooperative procedures. MOU are intended to improve consumer protection through more effective use of collective resources and to eliminate duplication of activities.

Citizen Petitions

Any person can petition the FDA to make changes in health policy.

Regulations.gov

Search for regulations, guidance, citizen petitions, and certain other Agency actions on Regulations.gov.


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