21 CFR Part 56 · Institutional Review Boards

§ 56.108 IRB functions and operations

Subpart C - IRB Functions and Operations Official text on eCFR Amendment history

In order to fulfill the requirements of these regulations, each IRB shall:

(a) Follow written procedures:

(1) For conducting its initial and continuing review of research and for reporting its findings and actions to the investigator and the institution;

(2) for determining which projects require review more often than annually and which projects need verification from sources other than the investigator that no material changes have occurred since previous IRB review;

(3) for ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB of changes in research activity; and

(4) for ensuring that changes in approved research, during the period for which IRB approval has already been given, may not be initiated without IRB review and approval except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the human subjects.

(b) Follow written procedures for ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB, appropriate institutional officials, and the Food and Drug Administration of:

(1) Any unanticipated problems involving risks to human subjects or others;

(2) any instance of serious or continuing noncompliance with these regulations or the requirements or determinations of the IRB; or

(3) any suspension or termination of IRB approval.

(c) Except when an expedited review procedure is used (see § 56.110 ), review proposed research at convened meetings at which a majority of the members of the IRB are present, including at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas. In order for the research to be approved, it shall receive the approval of a majority of those members present at the meeting.

Independent copy, not an official legal edition. 21 CFR is a U.S. Government work in the public domain; this text comes from the eCFR and the annual CFR edition, and may lag recent amendments. The authoritative version is on ecfr.gov. Compliome is not affiliated with or endorsed by FDA. Not legal advice.

What FDA inspectors cite under § 56.108

Form FDA 483 observations citing this section, fiscal years 2009–2026 (Bioresearch Monitoring).

  • Initial and continuing reviews 244
  • Members present for review 126
  • Prompt reporting of noncompliance 64
  • Prompt reporting of unanticipated problems 51
  • Reporting findings and actions to investigator/institution 45
  • Reporting of suspension/termination 42

Warning letters citing § 56.108

5 FDA warning letters since 2017 cite this section :

FDA guidance that cites § 56.108

and 5 more.

Amendment history

Federal Register documents that created or amended this section.