New Bill Looks to Streamline Inspections

A new bill introduced by Representative Brian Bilbray (R-CA) would rein in regulatory overlap by preventing states from "requiring duplicative inspections" of manufacturing plants.

Bilbray's bill, the Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 4044), prevents states from requiring US Food and Drug Administration-inspected manufacturers to undergo a state-sanctioned inspection.

Exceptions are provided if the state receives complaints of unsafe products being manufactured at the plant, a recall is ordered by the Secretary of the FDA or if the Secretary requests that the state conduct such an inspection.

"This additional inspection not only costs companies hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it diverts limited time and resources away from research, development and innovation," said Bilbray in a statement.

Read more: Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 4044)