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  1. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

COVID-19-Related Guidance Documents for Industry, FDA Staff, and Other Stakeholders

The FDA is committed to providing timely recommendations, regulatory information, guidance, and technical assistance necessary to support rapid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response efforts. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration was issued by the Health and Human Services Secretary, on January 31, 2020, and has been subsequently renewed.  Additional information on the PHE Declaration is available at Public Health Emergency Declarations.

Process for COVID-19 Related Guidances

In the Federal Register of March 25, 2020, FDA published a Notice announcing the process for making COVID-19 related guidance documents available to the public. The process is in accordance with FDA’s established good guidance practices regulations and will enable FDA to more rapidly disseminate and implement agency recommendations and policies related to COVID-19.

As part of this process, FDA intends to periodically publish a consolidated Notice of Availability announcing the availability of all COVID-19-related guidance documents FDA issued during the relevant period. When published in the Federal Register, the notices are listed below:.

Implementation of COVID-19 Related Guidance Documents

In accordance with FDA’s good guidance practices, FDA will not seek public comment prior to implementing a guidance document if the agency determines that prior public participation is not feasible or appropriate. As such, guidance documents where prior public participation is not feasible or appropriate are implemented immediately, but remain subject to comment. Although FDA immediately implemented most COVID-19 related guidances, FDA will consider all comments received on any guidances and revise the guidance documents when appropriate.


Title Guidance Type Product Area Date Posted
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Policy on COVID-19-Related Sanitation Tunnels Final Guidance for Industry and Investigators Drugs February 8, 2022
Nonclinical Considerations for Mitigating Nonhuman Primate Supply Constraints Arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
February 4, 2022
Transition Plan for Medical Devices That Fall Within Enforcement Policies Issued During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff Medical Devices December 22, 2021
Transition Plan for Medical Devices Issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff Medical Devices December 22, 2021
Policy for Certain REMS Requirements During the Tocilizumab Shortage Related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Guidance for Industry and Health Care Professionals Biologics
Gene Therapy
December 10, 2021
Development of Abbreviated New Drug Applications During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Questions and Answers Guidance for Industry Final Guidance for Industry Drugs September 8, 2021
Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Drug and Biological Product Inspections During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Questions and Answers (Updated May 17, 2021) Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
May 17, 2021
COVID-19: Master Protocols Evaluating Drugs and Biological Products for Treatment or Prevention Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
May 17, 2021
Remote Interactive Evaluations of Drug Manufacturing and Bioresearch Monitoring Facilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Guidance for Industry Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
Animal & Veterinary
April 14, 2021
COVID-19 Container Closure System and Component Changes: Glass Vials and Stoppers Guidance for Industry Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
March 4, 2021
Policy for Evaluating Impact of Viral Mutations on COVID-19 Tests Final Guidance for Test Developers and Food and Drug Administration Staff Medical Devices February 22, 2021
Development of Monoclonal Antibody Products Targeting SARS-CoV-2, Including Addressing the Impact of Emerging Variants, During the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Drugs February 22, 2021
Manufacturing Considerations for Licensed and Investigational Cellular and Gene Therapy Products During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Biologics January 19, 2021
Policy for Testing of Alcohol (Ethanol) and Isopropyl Alcohol for Methanol, Including During the Public Health Emergency (COVID-19) Final Guidance for Industry Drugs January 19, 2021
Protecting Participants in Bioequivalence Studies for Abbreviated New Drug Applications During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Drugs January 15, 2021
Coagulation Systems for Measurement of Viscoelastic Properties: Enforcement Policy During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised) Final Guidance for Industry Medical Devices January 28, 2021
COVID-19: Potency Assay Considerations for Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Therapeutic Proteins Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity  Final Guidance for Industry Drugs January 13, 2021
Review Timelines for Applicant Responses to Complete Response Letters When a Facility Assessment Is Needed During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
December 21, 2020
Enforcement Policy for the Quality Standards of the Mammography Quality Standards Act During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Mammography Facilities, State MQSA Contract Partners, FDA-Approved MQSA Accreditation Bodies, and Food and Drug Administration Staff Medical Devices
Radiation-Emitting Products
Radiology
Radiological Health
December 4, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Modifications to FDA Cleared Molecular Influenza and RSV Tests During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices October 13, 2020
Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19 (Updated)  Final Guidance for Industry Biologics May 25, 2021
Assessing COVID-19-Related Symptoms in Outpatient Adult and Adolescent Subjects in Clinical Trials of Drugs and Biological Products for COVID-19 Prevention or Treatment Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
September 14, 2020
Resuming Normal Drug and Biologics Manufacturing Operations During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Biologics
Drugs
Animal & Veterinary
September 10, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Viral Transport Media During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised) Final Guidance for Commercial Manufacturers, Clinical Laboratories, and FDA Staff Medical Devices November 15, 2021
FDA Guidance on Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Updated August 30, 2021) Final Guidance for Industry, Investigators, and Institutional Review Boards

Drugs
Biologics
Medical Devices

August 30, 2021
Development and Licensure of Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19 Final Guidance for Industry Biologics June 30, 2020
Effects of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on Formal Meetings and User Fee Applications for Medical Devices - Questions and Answers Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Biologics
Medical Devices
December 22, 2020
Good Manufacturing Practice Considerations for Responding to COVID-19 Infection in Employees in Drug and Biological Products Manufacturing Final Guidance for Industry Animal & Veterinary
Biologics
Drugs
 
June 19, 2020
Statistical Considerations for Clinical Trials During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Guidance for Industry Final Guidance for Industry Animal & Veterinary
Biologics
Drugs
Medical Devices
June 16, 2020
Temporary Policy on Prescription Drug Marketing Act Requirements for Distribution of Drug Samples During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Drugs June 8, 2020
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review of Individual Patient Expanded Access Requests for Investigational Drugs and Biological Products During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for IRBs and Clinical Investigators Drugs
Biologics
June 2, 2020
Reporting a Temporary Closure or Significantly Reduced Production by a Human Food Establishment and Requesting FDA Assistance During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Food & Beverages May 27, 2020
Effects of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on Formal Meetings and User Fee Applications — Questions and Answers Final Guidance for Industry

Biologics
Drugs

May 26, 2020
Temporary Policy During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Regarding the Qualified Exemption from the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption  Final Guidance for Industry Food & Beverages May 22, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Certain Food Labeling Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Minor Formulation Changes and Vending Machines Final Guidance for Industry Food & Beverages May 22, 2020
Supplements for Approved Premarket Approval (PMA) or Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) Submissions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff

Biologics
Medical Devices

May 21, 2020
Returning Refrigerated Transport Vehicles and Refrigerated Storage Units to Food Uses After Using Them to Preserve Human Remains During the COVID-19 Pandemic Final Guidance for Industry

Animal & Veterinary
Food & Beverages

May 12, 2020
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: General Considerations for Pre-IND Meeting Requests for COVID-19 Related Drugs and Biological Products Final Guidance for Industry and Investigators

Drugs
Biologics

May 11, 2020
COVID-19: Developing Drugs and Biological Products for Treatment or Prevention (Updated) Final Guidance for Industry

Drugs
Biologics

February 22, 2021
Policy for Coronavirus Disease-2019 Tests During the Public Health Emergency (Revised) Final Guidance for Developers and Food and Drug Administration Staff Medical Devices November 15, 2021
Temporary Policy for Compounding of Certain Drugs for Hospitalized Patients by Outsourcing Facilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Revised) Final Guidance for Industry Drugs May 21, 2020
Temporary Policy for Compounding of Certain Drugs for Hospitalized Patients by Pharmacy Compounders not Registered as Outsourcing Facilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Revised) Final Guidance for Industry Drugs May 21, 2020
Postmarketing Adverse Event Reporting for Medical Products and Dietary Supplements During a Pandemic Final Guidance for Industry

Food & Beverages
Drugs
Biologics
Medical Devices

May 8, 2020
CVM GFI #271 Reporting and Mitigating Animal Drug Shortages during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Animal & Veterinary May 7, 2020
Notifying CDRH of a Permanent Discontinuance or Interruption in Manufacturing of a Device Under Section 506J of the FD&C Act During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices November 25, 2020
Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Final Guidance for Industry Biologics January 7, 2022
Exemption and Exclusion from Certain Requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry

Drugs
Biologics

April 30, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Remote Digital Pathology Devices During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry, Clinical Laboratories, Heathcare Facilities, Pathologists, and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 24, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Imaging Systems During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 23, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Non-Invasive Fetal and Maternal Monitoring Devices Used to Support Patient Monitoring During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 23, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Accredited Third-Party Certification Program Onsite Observation and Certificate Duration Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Food & Beverages April 22, 2020
Temporary Policy on Repackaging or Combining Propofol Drug Products During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Drugs April 22, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Telethermographic Systems During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 16, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Digital Health Devices For Treating Psychiatric Disorders During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 14, 2020
Product-Specific Guidances for Chloroquine Phosphate and Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Final Product-Specific Guidances for Generic Drug Development Drugs April 13, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Non-Standard PPE Practices for Sterile Compounding by Pharmacy Compounders not Registered as Outsourcing Facilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Drugs May 14, 2020
Policy for the Temporary Use of Portable Cryogenic Containers Not in Compliance With 21 CFR 211.94(e)(1) For Oxygen and Nitrogen During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency  Final Guidance for Industry Drugs April 20, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Cardiopulmonary Bypass Devices During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 6, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Remote Ophthalmic Assessment and Monitoring Devices During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 6, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Enforcement of 21 CFR Part 118 (the Egg Safety Rule) During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Egg Producers Food & Beverages April 6, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Infusion Pumps and Accessories During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 5, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Clinical Electronic Thermometers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices April 4, 2020
CVM GFI #270 - Guidance on the Conduct and Review of Studies to Support New Animal Drug Development during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Animal & Veterinary April 3, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Packaging and Labeling of Shell Eggs Sold by Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Food & Beverages April 3, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised) Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices September 15, 2021
Alternative Procedures for Blood and Blood Components During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Biologics April 2, 2020
Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission by Blood and Blood Products Final Guidance for Industry Biologics August 27, 2020
Revised Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Malaria Final Guidance for Industry Biologics April 2, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Chain Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Food & Beverages April 1, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Gowns, Other Apparel, and Gloves During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices March 30, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Sterilizers, Disinfectant Devices, and Air Purifiers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices March 29, 2020
Notifying FDA of a Permanent Discontinuance or Interruption in Manufacturing Under Section 506C of the FD&C Act Guidance for Industry Final Guidance for Industry

Drugs
Biologics

March 27, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry Food & Beverages March 26, 2020
CVM GFI #269 - Enforcement Policy Regarding Federal VCPR Requirements to Facilitate Veterinary Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Outbreak Final Guidance for Industry Animal & Veterinary March 24, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Ventilators and Accessories and Other Respiratory Devices During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices March 22, 2020
Policy for Certain REMS Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Guidance for Industry and Health Care Professionals Final Guidance for Industry and Health Care Professionals

Drugs
Biologics

March 22, 2020
Enforcement Policy for Non-Invasive Remote Monitoring Devices Used to Support Patient Monitoring During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised) Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Medical Devices October 28, 2020
Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Final Guidance for Industry

Food & Beverages
Animal & Veterinary

June 4, 2020
Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency (Revised)  Immediately in Effect Guidance for Industry Drugs February 10, 2021

About FDA Guidances

Guidance documents represent the agency's current thinking on a particular subject. They do not create or confer any rights for or on any person and do not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statute and regulations. For information on a specific guidance document, please contact the originating office.

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