The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is issuing this final rule revising its medical device and certain biological product labeling regulations to explicitly allow for the optional inclusion of graphical representations of information, or symbols, in labeling (including labels) without adjacent explanatory text (referred to in this document as “stand-alone symbols”) if certain requirements are met. The final rule also specifies that the use of symbols, accompanied by adjacent explanatory text continues to be permitted. FDA is also revising its prescription device labeling regulations to allow the use of the symbol statement “Rx only” or “℞ only” in the labeling for prescription devices.

Regulatory Impact Analysis

Use of Symbols in Labeling (Final Rule) (PDF - 212KB)

Federal Register: 81 FR 38911, June 15, 2016

Docket: FDA-2013-N-0125