This document provides guidance to sponsors, clinical investigators, institutional review boards (IRBs), contract research organizations (CROs), and other interested parties on the use of electronic records and electronic signatures in clinical investigations of medical products under 21 CFR part 11, Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures.

This guidance clarifies, updates, and expands upon recommendations in the guidance for  industry Part 11, Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures – Scope and Application (referred to as the 2003 part 11 guidance) that pertain to clinical investigations conducted under 21 CFR parts 312 and 812. Thus, this guidance is limited to outlining the scope and application of part 11 requirements for clinical investigations of medical products.