Third-Party Certification and Inspection Modernization Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8431 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8431 To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand a program under which third-parties are accredited to conduct food safety audits, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 22, 2026 Mr. Rulli introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand a program under which third-parties are accredited to conduct food safety audits, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Third-Party Certification and Inspection Modernization Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF THE ACCREDITED THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. (a) Revised Definitions.--Section 808 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 384d) is amended-- (1) by amending subsection (a)(6) to read as follows: ``(6) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a foreign or domestic entity, including a foreign or domestic facility subject to registration under section 415, in the food supply chain that chooses to be audited by an accredited third- party auditor or the audit agent of such accredited third-party auditor.''; and (2) by amending subsection (a)(7) to read as follows: ``(7) Regulatory audit.--The term `regulatory audit' means an audit of an eligible entity-- ``(A) to determine whether such entity is in compliance with the provisions of this Act; and ``(B) the results of which determine-- ``(i) whether an article of food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by such entity is eligible to receive a food certificat