The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a recognized accreditation body under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA, encourages relevant stakeholders to utilize the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal, opening on October 1, 2018. The FDA will open the VQIP application portal early to allow importers to submit their Notice of Intent to Participate and complete their VQIP applications early for the Fiscal Year 2020 benefit period.
VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that provides expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the United States for approved applicants who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains.
Importers can learn more about the program on the VQIP webpage, and can submit questions about the program to the VQIP Importer's Help Desk: (301) 796-8745 or e-mail at [email protected].
About ANSI Accreditation
ANSI accreditation supports those seeking FSMA compliance for both the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) - which requires importers to verify that the food they import meets U.S. safety standards - and the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP), a fee-based program that will allow for expedited review and importation for those who achieve and maintain a safe and secure supply chain.
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