[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR17.45]

[Page 190]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                                SERVICES
 
PART 17--CIVIL MONEY PENALTIES HEARINGS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 17.45  Initial decision.

    (a) The presiding officer shall issue an initial decision based only 
on the administrative record. The decision shall contain findings of 
fact, conclusions of law, and the amount of any penalties and 
assessments imposed.
    (b) The findings of fact shall include a finding on each of the 
following issues:
    (1) Whether the allegations in the complaint are true, and, if so, 
whether respondent's actions identified in the complaint violated the 
law;
    (2) Whether any affirmative defenses are meritorious; and
    (3) If the respondent is liable for penalties or assessments, the 
appropriate amount of any such penalties or assessments, considering any 
mitigating or aggravating factors that he or she finds in the case.
    (c) The presiding officer shall serve the initial decision or the 
decision granting summary decision on all parties within 90 days after 
the time for submission of posthearing briefs and responsive briefs (if 
permitted) has expired. If the presiding officer believes that he or she 
cannot meet the 90-day deadline, he or she shall notify the Commissioner 
of Food and Drugs or other entity designated by the Commissioner to 
decide the appeal of the reason(s) therefor, and the Commissioner or 
that entity may then set a new deadline.
    (d) Unless the initial decision or the decision granting summary 
decision of the presiding officer is timely appealed, the initial 
decision or the decision granting summary decision shall constitute the 
final decision of FDA and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 
days after it is issued by the presiding officer.