0990-0260 _ 45 CFR part 46

Code of Federal Regulations
TITLE 45 — PUBLIC WELFARE
Department of Health and Human Services
PART 46
PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS
Revised June 23, 2005
Effective June 23, 2005

SUBPART A—
Basic HHS Policy for Protection of Human Research
Subjects
Sec.
46.101 To what does this policy apply?
46.102 Definitions.
46.103 Assuring compliance with this
policy—research conducted or
supported by any Federal Department or Agency.
46.104-46.106 [Reserved]
46.107 IRB membership.
46.108 IRB functions and operations.
46.109 IRB review of research.
46.110 Expedited review procedures for
certain kinds of research involving
no more than minimal risk, and for
minor changes in approved research.
46.111 Criteria for IRB approval of
research.
46.112 Review by institution.
46.113 Suspension or termination of
IRB approval of research.
46.114 Cooperative research.
46.115 IRB records.
46.116 General requirements for informed consent.
46.117 Documentation of informed
consent.
46.118 Applications and proposals lacking definite plans for involvement
of human subjects.
46.119 Research undertaken without
the intention of involving human
subjects.
46.120 Evaluation and disposition of
applications and proposals for research to be conducted or supported by a Federal Department or
Agency.
46.121 [Reserved]
46.122 Use of Federal funds.
46.123 Early termination of research
support: Evaluation of applications
and proposals.
46.124 Conditions.

SUBPART B—
Additional Protections for
Pregnant Women, Human Fetuses and Neonates Involved
in Research
Sec.
46.201 To what do these regulations
apply?
46.202 Definitions.
46.203 Duties of IRBs in connection
with research involving pregnant
women, fetuses, and neonates.
46.204 Research involving pregnant
women or fetuses.
46.205 Research involving neonates.
46.206 Research involving, after delivery, the placenta, the dead fetus or
fetal material.
46.207 Research not otherwise approvable which presents an opportunity
to understand, prevent, or alleviate
a serious problem affecting the
health or welfare of pregnant
women, fetuses, or neonates.

SUBPART C—
Additional Protections
Pertaining to Biomedical and
Behavioral Research Involving
Prisoners as Subjects

SUBPART D—
Additional Protections
for Children Involved as Subjects in Research
Sec.
46.401 To what do these regulations
apply?
46.402 Definitions.
46.403 IRB duties.
46.404 Research not involving greater
than minimal risk.
46.405 Research involving greater than
minimal risk but presenting the
prospect of direct benefit to the individual subjects.
46.406 Research involving greater than
minimal risk and no prospect of
direct benefit to individual subjects, but likely to yield generalizable knowledge about the subject’s
disorder or condition.
46.407 Research not otherwise approvable which presents an opportunity
to understand, prevent, or alleviate
a serious problem affecting the
health or welfare of children.
46.408 Requirements for permission by
parents or guardians and for assent
by children.
46.409 Wards.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 42 U.S.C. 289(a).

Editorial Note: The Department of
Health and Human Services issued a
Sec.
notice of waiver regarding the require46.301 Applicability.
ments set forth in part 46, relating to
46.302 Purpose.
protection of human subjects, as they
46.303 Definitions.
pertain to demonstration projects, ap46.304 Composition of Institutional
Review Boards where prisoners are proved under section 1115 of the Social
Security Act, which test the use of costinvolved.
46.305 Additional duties of the Institu- sharing, such as deductibles, copayment
and coinsurance, in the Medicaid protional Review Boards where prisgram. For further information see 47
oners are involved.
FR 9208, Mar. 4, 1982.
46.306 Permitted research involving
prisoners.

45 CFR 46 - page 2

Subpart A — Basic HHS Policy for
Protection of Human Research
Subjects
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 42 U.S.C. 289;
42 U.S.C. 300v-1(b).
Source: 56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991,
unless otherwise noted.

§ 46.101 To what does this policy apply?
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of
this section, this policy applies to all research
involving human subjects conducted, supported or otherwise subject to regulation by
any federal department or agency which
takes appropriate administrative action to
make the policy applicable to such research.
This includes research conducted by federal
civilian employees or military personnel,
except that each department or agency head
may adopt such procedural modifications as
may be appropriate from an administrative
standpoint. It also includes research conducted, supported, or otherwise subject to
regulation by the federal government outside
the United States.
(1) Research that is conducted or supported by a federal department or agency,
whether or not it is regulated as defined in
§ 46.102(e), must comply with all sections
of this policy.
(2) Research that is neither conducted nor
supported by a federal department or
agency but is subject to regulation as defined in § 46.102(e) must be reviewed and
approved, in compliance with § 46.101,
§ 46.102, and § 46.107 through § 46.117
of this policy, by an institutional review
board (IRB) that operates in accordance
with the pertinent requirements of this
policy.
(b) Unless otherwise required by department
or agency heads, research activities in which
the only involvement of human subjects will
be in one or more of the following categories are exempt from this policy:
(1) Research conducted in established or
commonly accepted educational settings,
involving normal educational practices,
such as
(i) research on regular and special education instructional strategies, or (ii)
research on the effectiveness of or the
comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods.

(2) Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude,
achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public
behavior, unless:
(i) Information obtained is recorded in
such manner that human subjects can
be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects; and (ii) any
disclosure of the human subjects’ responses outside the research could reasonably place the subjects at risk of
criminal or civil liability or be damaging
to the subjects’ financial standing, employability, or reputation.
(3) Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude,
achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures, or observation of public
behavior that is not exempt under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, if:
(i) The human subjects are elected or
appointed public officials or candidates
for public office; or (ii) federal statute(s)
require(s) without exception that the
confidentiality of the personally identifiable information will be maintained
throughout the research and thereafter.
(4) Research, involving the collection or
study of existing data, documents, records,
pathological specimens, or diagnostic
specimens, if these sources are publicly
available or if the information is recorded
by the investigator in such a manner that
subjects cannot be identified, directly or
through identifiers linked to the subjects.
(5) Research and demonstration projects
which are conducted by or subject to the
approval of department or agency heads,
and which are designed to study, evaluate,
or otherwise examine:
(i) Public benefit or service programs;
(ii) procedures for obtaining benefits or
services under those programs; (iii) possible changes in or alternatives to those
programs or procedures; or (iv) possible
changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under
those programs.
(6) Taste and food quality evaluation and
consumer acceptance studies, (i) if wholesome foods without additives are consumed or (ii) if a food is consumed that
contains a food ingredient at or below the
level and for a use found to be safe, or
agricultural chemical or environmental

contaminant at or below the level found
to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food
Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
(c) Department or agency heads retain final
judgment as to whether a particular activity
is covered by this policy.
(d) Department or agency heads may require
that specific research activities or classes of
research activities conducted, supported, or
otherwise subject to regulation by the department or agency but not otherwise covered by this policy, comply with some or all
of the requirements of this policy.
(e) Compliance with this policy requires
compliance with pertinent federal laws or
regulations which provide additional protections for human subjects.
(f) This policy does not affect any state or
local laws or regulations which may otherwise be applicable and which provide additional protections for human subjects.
(g) This policy does not affect any foreign
laws or regulations which may otherwise be
applicable and which provide additional
protections to human subjects of research.
(h) When research covered by this policy
takes place in foreign countries, procedures
normally followed in the foreign countries
to protect human subjects may differ from
those set forth in this policy. [An example is
a foreign institution which complies with
guidelines consistent with the World Medical Assembly Declaration (Declaration of
Helsinki amended 1989) issued either by
sovereign states or by an organization whose
function for the protection of human research subjects is internationally recognized.]
In these circumstances, if a department or
agency head determines that the procedures
prescribed by the institution afford protections that are at least equivalent to those
provided in this policy, the department or
agency head may approve the substitution of
the foreign procedures in lieu of the procedural requirements provided in this policy.
Except when otherwise required by statute,
Executive Order, or the department or
agency head, notices of these actions as they
occur will be published in the FEDERAL
REGISTER or will be otherwise published as
provided in department or agency procedures.

45 CFR 46 - page 3
(i) Unless otherwise required by law, department or agency heads may waive the applicability of some or all of the provisions of
this policy to specific research activities or
classes or research activities otherwise covered by this policy. Except when otherwise
required by statute or Executive Order, the
department or agency head shall forward
advance notices of these actions to the Office for Human Research Protections, Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), or any successor office, and shall
also publish them in the FEDERAL REGISTER or in such other manner as provided in
department or agency procedures.1
[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991; 56 FR 29756, June
28, 1991, as amended at 70 FR 36328, June 23, 2005]
____________________
1 Institutions with HHS-approved assurances on file
will abide by provisions of Title 45 CFR part 46 subparts A-D. Some of the other departments and agencies
have incorporated all provisions of Title 45 CFR part
46 into their policies and procedures as well. However,
the exemptions at 45 CFR 46.101(b) do not apply to
research involving prisoners, subpart C. The exemption
at 45 CFR 46.101(b)(2), for research involving survey or
interview procedures or observation of public behavior,
does not apply to research with children, subpart D,
except for research involving observations of public
behavior when the investigator(s) do not participate in
the activities being observed

sonal contact between investigator and subject. Private information includes information
(a) Department or agency head means the head
about behavior that occurs in a context in
of any federal department or agency and any
which an individual can reasonably expect
other officer or employee of any department
or agency to whom authority has been dele- that no observation or recording is taking
place, and information which has been progated.
vided for specific purposes by an individual
(b) Institution means any public or private
and which the individual can reasonably
entity or agency (including federal, state, and expect will not be made public (for example,
other agencies).
a medical record). Private information must
be individually identifiable (i.e., the identity
(c) Legally authorized representative means an
individual or judicial or other body author- of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with
ized under applicable law to consent on
the information) in order for obtaining the
behalf of a prospective subject to the subinformation to constitute research involving
ject’s participation in the procedure(s) inhuman subjects.
volved in the research.
§ 46.102 Definitions.

(d) Research means a systematic investigation,
including research development, testing and
evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities
which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether
or not they are conducted or supported under a program which is considered research
for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include
research activities.
(e) Research subject to regulation, and similar
terms are intended to encompass those research activities for which a federal department or agency has specific responsibility
for regulating as a research activity, (for example, Investigational New Drug requirements administered by the Food and Drug
Administration). It does not include research
activities which are incidentally regulated by
a federal department or agency solely as part
of the department’s or agency’s broader
responsibility to regulate certain types of
activities whether research or non-research
in nature (for example, Wage and Hour requirements administered by the Department
of Labor).
(f) Human subject means a living individual
about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research
obtains
(1) Data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or
(2) Identifiable private information.
Intervention includes both physical procedures
by which data are gathered (for example,
venipuncture) and manipulations of the subject or the subject’s environment that are
performed for research purposes. Interaction includes communication or interper-

(g) IRB means an institutional review board
established in accord with and for the purposes expressed in this policy.
(h) IRB approval means the determination of
the IRB that the research has been reviewed
and may be conducted at an institution
within the constraints set forth by the IRB
and by other institutional and federal requirements.
(i) Minimal risk means that the probability
and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and
of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance
of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.
(j) Certification means the official notification
by the institution to the supporting department or agency, in accordance with the requirements of this policy, that a research
project or activity involving human subjects
has been reviewed and approved by an IRB
in accordance with an approved assurance.

45 CFR 46 - page 4
§ 46.103 Assuring compliance with this
policy — research conducted or supported by any Federal Department
or Agency.
(a) Each institution engaged in research
which is covered by this policy and which is
conducted or supported by a federal department or agency shall provide written assurance satisfactory to the department or
agency head that it will comply with the
requirements set forth in this policy. In lieu
of requiring submission of an assurance,
individual department or agency heads shall
accept the existence of a current assurance,
appropriate for the research in question, on
file with the Office for Human Research
Protections, HHS, or any successor office,
and approved for federalwide use by that
office. When the existence of an HHSapproved assurance is accepted in lieu of
requiring submission of an assurance, reports (except certification) required by this
policy to be made to department and agency
heads shall also be made to the Office for
Human Research Protections, HHS, or any
successor office.
(b) Departments and agencies will conduct
or support research covered by this policy
only if the institution has an assurance approved as provided in this section, and only
if the institution has certified to the department or agency head that the research has
been reviewed and approved by an IRB provided for in the assurance, and will be subject to continuing review by the IRB. Assurances applicable to federally supported or
conducted research shall at a minimum include:
(1) A statement of principles governing
the institution in the discharge of its responsibilities for protecting the rights and
welfare of human subjects of research
conducted at or sponsored by the institution, regardless of whether the research is
subject to federal regulation. This may
include an appropriate existing code, declaration, or statement of ethical principles,
or a statement formulated by the institution itself. This requirement does not preempt provisions of this policy applicable
to department- or agency-supported or
regulated research and need not be applicable to any research exempted or waived
under § 46.101(b) or (i).
(2) Designation of one or more IRBs established in accordance with the requirements of this policy, and for which provisions are made for meeting space and suf-

evaluate all assurances submitted in accordance with this policy through such officers
and employees of the department or agency
(3) A list of IRB members identified by
and such experts or consultants engaged for
name; earned degrees; representative cathis purpose as the department or agency
pacity; indications of experience such as
head determines to be appropriate. The deboard certifications, licenses, etc., suffipartment or agency head's evaluation will
cient to describe each member's chief antake into consideration the adequacy of the
ticipated contributions to IRB deliberations; and any employment or other rela- proposed IRB in light of the anticipated
scope of the institution's research activities
tionship between each member and the
and the types of subject populations likely to
institution; for example: full-time embe involved, the appropriateness of the proployee, part-time employee, member of
posed initial and continuing review procegoverning panel or board, stockholder,
dures in light of the probable risks, and the
paid or unpaid consultant. Changes in IRB
size and complexity of the institution.
membership shall be reported to the department or agency head, unless in accord (e) On the basis of this evaluation, the department or agency head may approve or
with § 46.103(a) of this policy, the exisdisapprove the assurance, or enter into netence of an HHS-approved assurance is
gotiations to develop an approvable one.
accepted. In this case, change in IRB
The department or agency head may limit
membership shall be reported to the Ofthe period during which any particular apfice for Human Research Protections,
proved assurance or class of approved assurHHS, or any successor office.
ances shall remain effective or otherwise
(4) Written procedures which the IRB will
condition or restrict approval.
follow (i) for conducting its initial and
ficient staff to support the IRB's review
and recordkeeping duties.

(f) Certification is required when the research is supported by a federal department
or agency and not otherwise exempted or
waived under § 46.101(b) or (i). An institution with an approved assurance shall certify
that each application or proposal for research covered by the assurance and by
§ 46.103 of this Policy has been reviewed
and approved by the IRB. Such certification
must be submitted with the application or
proposal or by such later date as may be
prescribed by the department or agency to
which the application or proposal is submitted. Under no condition shall research covered by § 46.103 of the Policy be supported
prior to receipt of the certification that the
research has been reviewed and approved by
the IRB. Institutions without an approved
(5) Written procedures for ensuring
prompt reporting to the IRB, appropriate assurance covering the research shall certify
within 30 days after receipt of a request for
institutional officials, and the department
such a certification from the department or
or agency head of (i) any unanticipated
agency, that the application or proposal has
problems involving risks to subjects or
been approved by the IRB. If the certificaothers or any serious or continuing nontion is not submitted within these time limcompliance with this policy or the requireits, the application or proposal may be rements or determinations of the IRB; and
to the institution.
(ii) any suspension or termination of IRB turned
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget
approval.
under Control Number 0990-0260.)
continuing review of research and for reporting its findings and actions to the investigator and the institution; (ii) for determining which projects require review more
often than annually and which projects
need verification from sources other than
the investigators that no material changes
have occurred since previous IRB review;
and (iii) for ensuring prompt reporting to
the IRB of proposed changes in a research
activity, and for ensuring that such
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 when
necessary to eliminate apparent immediate
hazards to the subject.

[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991; 56 FR 29756, June
(c) The assurance shall be executed by an
28, 1991, as amended at 70 FR 36328, June 23, 2005]
individual authorized to act for the institution and to assume on behalf of the institu- §§ 46.104--46.106 [Reserved]
tion the obligations imposed by this policy
and shall be filed in such form and manner
as the department or agency head prescribes.

(d) The department or agency head will

45 CFR 46 - page 5
§ 46.107 IRB membership.

§ 46.108 IRB functions and operations.

(a) Each IRB shall have at least five members, with varying backgrounds to promote
complete and adequate review of research
activities commonly conducted by the institution. The IRB shall be sufficiently qualified through the experience and expertise of
its members, and the diversity of the members, including consideration of race, gender,
and cultural backgrounds and sensitivity to
such issues as community attitudes, to promote respect for its advice and counsel in
safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects. In addition to possessing the
professional competence necessary to review
specific research activities, the IRB shall be
able to ascertain the acceptability of proposed research in terms of institutional commitments and regulations, applicable law,
and standards of professional conduct and
practice. The IRB shall therefore include
persons knowledgeable in these areas. If an
IRB regularly reviews research that involves
a vulnerable category of subjects, such as
children, prisoners, pregnant women, or
handicapped or mentally disabled persons,
consideration shall be given to the inclusion
of one or more individuals who are knowledgeable about and experienced in working
with these subjects.

In order to fulfill the requirements of this
policy each IRB shall:

(b) Every nondiscriminatory effort will be
made to ensure that no IRB consists entirely
of men or entirely of women, including the
institution's consideration of qualified persons of both sexes, so long as no selection is
made to the IRB on the basis of gender. No
IRB may consist entirely of members of one
profession.
(c) Each IRB shall include at least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific
areas and at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas.
(d) Each IRB shall include at least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with the
institution and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated
with the institution.
(e) No IRB may have a member participate
in the IRB's initial or continuing review of
any project in which the member has a conflicting interest, except to provide information requested by the IRB.
(f) An IRB may, in its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to
assist in the review of issues which require
expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the IRB. These individuals may not
vote with the IRB

(a) Follow written procedures in the same
detail as described in § 46.103(b)(4) and, to
the extent required by, § 46.103(b)(5).

§ 46.110 Expedited review procedures for
certain kinds of research involving no
more than minimal risk, and for minor
changes in approved research.

(a) The Secretary, HHS, has established, and
published as a Notice in the FEDERAL REGISTER, a list of categories of research that
may be reviewed by the IRB through an
(b) Except when an expedited review proce- expedited review procedure. The list will be
dure is used (see § 46.110), review proposed amended, as appropriate, after consultation
with other departments and agencies,
research at convened meetings at which a
through periodic republication by the Secremajority of the members of the IRB are
tary, HHS, in the FEDERAL REGISTER. A
present, including at least one member
copy
of the list is available from the Office
whose primary concerns are in nonscientific
for Human Research Protections, HHS, or
areas. In order for the research to be apany successor office.
proved, it shall receive the approval of a
(b) An IRB may use the expedited review
majority of those members present at the
procedure to review either or both of the
meeting.
following:
§ 46.109 IRB review of research.
(1) Some or all of the research appearing
on the list and found by the reviewer(s) to
(a) An IRB shall review and have authority
involve no more than minimal risk,
to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove all research
(2) Minor changes in previously approved
research during the period (of one year or
activities covered by this policy.
less) for which approval is authorized.
(b) An IRB shall require that information
Under an expedited review procedure, the
given to subjects as part of informed consent is in accordance with § 46.116. The IRB review may be carried out by the IRB chairperson or by one or more experienced remay require that information, in addition to viewers designated by the chairperson from
that specifically mentioned in § 46.116, be
among members of the IRB. In reviewing
given to the subjects when in the IRB's judg- the research, the reviewers may exercise all
ment the information would meaningfully
of the authorities of the IRB except that the
add to the protection of the rights and wel- reviewers may not disapprove the research.
A research activity may be disapproved only
fare of subjects.
after review in accordance with the non(c) An IRB shall require documentation of
expedited procedure set forth in § 46.108(b).
informed consent or may waive documenta(c) Each IRB which uses an expedited retion in accordance with § 46.117.
view procedure shall adopt a method for
(d) An IRB shall notify investigators and the keeping all members advised of research
proposals which have been approved under
institution in writing of its decision to approve or disapprove the proposed research the procedure.
activity, or of modifications required to se- (d) The department or agency head may
cure IRB approval of the research activity. If restrict, suspend, terminate, or choose not to
authorize an institution's or IRB's use of the
the IRB decides to disapprove a research
activity, it shall include in its written notifica- expedited review procedure.
tion a statement of the reasons for its deci- [56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991, as amended at 70
sion and give the investigator an opportunity FR 36328, June 23, 2005]
to respond in person or in writing.
§ 46.111 Criteria for IRB approval of re(e) An IRB shall conduct continuing review search.
(a) In order to approve research covered by
of research covered by this policy at interthis policy the IRB shall determine that all of
vals appropriate to the degree of risk, but
the following requirements are satisfied:
not less than once per year, and shall have
authority to observe or have a third party
(1) Risks to subjects are minimized: (i) By
observe the consent process and the reusing procedures which are consistent
search.
with sound research design and which do
not unnecessarily expose subjects to risk,
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget
under Control Number 0990-0260.)
and (ii) whenever appropriate, by using
procedures already being performed on
[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991, as amended at 70
the subjects for diagnostic or treatment
FR 36328, June 23, 2005]
purposes.

45 CFR 46 - page 6
(2) Risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects, and the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to
result. In evaluating risks and benefits, the
IRB should consider only those risks and
benefits that may result from the research
(as distinguished from risks and benefits of
therapies subjects would receive even if
not participating in the research). The IRB
should not consider possible long-range
effects of applying knowledge gained in
the research (for example, the possible
effects of the research on public policy) as
among those research risks that fall within
the purview of its responsibility.
(3) Selection of subjects is equitable. In
making this assessment the IRB should
take into account the purposes of the research and the setting in which the research will be conducted and should be
particularly cognizant of the special problems of research involving vulnerable
populations, such as children, prisoners,
pregnant women, mentally disabled persons, or economically or educationally
disadvantaged persons.
(4) Informed consent will be sought from
each prospective subject or the subject's
legally authorized representative, in accordance with, and to the extent required by
§ 46.116.

§ 46.113 Suspension or termination of
IRB approval of research.
An IRB shall have authority to suspend or
terminate approval of research that is not
being conducted in accordance with the
IRB's requirements or that has been associated with unexpected serious harm to subjects. Any suspension or termination of approval shall include a statement of the reasons for the IRB's action and shall be reported promptly to the investigator, appropriate institutional officials, and the department or agency head.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget
under Control Number 0990-0260.)
[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991, as amended at 70
FR 36328, June 23, 2005]

§ 46.114 Cooperative research.
Cooperative research projects are those projects covered by this policy which involve
more than one institution. In the conduct of
cooperative research projects, each institution is responsible for safeguarding the
rights and welfare of human subjects and for
complying with this policy. With the approval of the department or agency head, an
institution participating in a cooperative
project may enter into a joint review arrangement, rely upon the review of another
qualified IRB, or make similar arrangements
for avoiding duplication of effort.

(5) Informed consent will be appropriately
§ 46.115 IRB records.
documented, in accordance with, and to
the extent required by § 46.117.
(a) An institution, or when appropriate an
IRB, shall prepare and maintain adequate
(6) When appropriate, the research plan
makes adequate provision for monitoring documentation of IRB activities, including
the following:
the data collected to ensure the safety of
subjects.
(1) Copies of all research proposals reviewed, scientific evaluations, if any, that
(7) When appropriate, there are adequate
accompany the proposals, approved samprovisions to protect the privacy of subple consent documents, progress reports
jects and to maintain the confidentiality of
submitted by investigators, and reports of
data.
injuries to subjects.
(b) When some or all of the subjects are
(2) Minutes of IRB meetings which shall
likely to be vulnerable to coercion or undue
be in sufficient detail to show attendance
influence, such as children, prisoners, pregat the meetings; actions taken by the IRB;
nant women, mentally disabled persons, or
the vote on these actions including the
economically or educationally disadvantaged
number of members voting for, against,
persons, additional safeguards have been
and abstaining; the basis for requiring
included in the study to protect the rights
changes in or disapproving research; and a
and welfare of these subjects.
written summary of the discussion of con§ 46.112 Review by institution.
troverted issues and their resolution.
Research covered by this policy that has
(3) Records of continuing review activities.
been approved by an IRB may be subject to
(4) Copies of all correspondence between
further appropriate review and approval or
the IRB and the investigators.
disapproval by officials of the institution.
However, those officials may not approve
(5) A list of IRB members in the same
the research if it has not been approved by
detail as described in § 46.103(b)(3).
an IRB.
(6) Written procedures for the IRB in the
same detail as described in § 46.103(b)(4)
and § 46.103(b)(5).
(7) Statements of significant new findings

provided to subjects, as required by
§ 46.116(b)(5).
(b) The records required by this policy shall
be retained for at least 3 years, and records
relating to research which is conducted shall
be retained for at least 3 years after completion of the research. All records shall be
accessible for inspection and copying by
authorized representatives of the department or agency at reasonable times and in a
reasonable manner.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget
under Control Number 0990-0260.)
[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991, as amended at 70
FR 36328, June 23, 2005]
§ 46.116 General requirements for informed consent.
Except as provided elsewhere in this policy,
no investigator may involve a human being
as a subject in research covered by this policy unless the investigator has obtained the
legally effective informed consent of the
subject or the subject's legally authorized
representative. An investigator shall seek
such consent only under circumstances that
provide the prospective subject or the representative sufficient opportunity to consider
whether or not to participate and that minimize the possibility of coercion or undue
influence. The information that is given to
the subject or the representative shall be in
language understandable to the subject or
the representative. No informed consent,
whether oral or written, may include any
exculpatory language through which the
subject or the representative is made to
waive or appear to waive any of the subject's
legal rights, or releases or appears to release
the investigator, the sponsor, the institution
or its agents from liability for negligence.
(a) Basic elements of informed consent.
Except as provided in paragraph (c) or (d) of
this section, in seeking informed consent the
following information shall be provided to
each subject:
(1) A statement that the study involves
research, an explanation of the purposes
of the research and the expected duration
of the subject's participation, a description
of the procedures to be followed, and
identification of any procedures which are
experimental;
(2) A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject;
(3) A description of any benefits to the
subject or to others which may reasonably
be expected from the research;
(4) A disclosure of appropriate alternative
procedures or courses of treatment, if any,
that might be advantageous to the subject;
(5) A statement describing the extent, if
any, to which confidentiality of records
identifying the subject will be maintained;

45 CFR 46 - page 7
(6) For research involving more than mini- (2) The research could not practicably be
carried out without the waiver or alteramal risk, an explanation as to whether any
tion.
compensation and an explanation as to
whether any medical treatments are avail(d)
An IRB may approve a consent proceable if injury occurs and, if so, what they
dure which does not include, or which alters,
consist of, or where further information
some or all of the elements of informed
may be obtained;
consent set forth in this section, or waive
(7) An explanation of whom to contact for the requirements to obtain informed consent provided the IRB finds and documents
answers to pertinent questions about the
research and research subjects' rights, and that:
whom to contact in the event of a re(1) The research involves no more than
search-related injury to the subject; and
minimal risk to the subjects;
(8) A statement that participation is volun(2) The waiver or alteration will not adtary, refusal to participate will involve no
versely affect the rights and welfare of the
penalty or loss of benefits to which the
subjects;
subject is otherwise entitled, and the subject may discontinue participation at any
time without penalty or loss of benefits to
which the subject is otherwise entitled.

(3) The research could not practicably be
carried out without the waiver or alteration; and

(b) Additional elements of informed consent. When appropriate, one or more of the
following elements of information shall also
be provided to each subject:

(4) Whenever appropriate, the subjects
will be provided with additional pertinent
information after participation.

(1) A statement that the particular treatment or procedure may involve risks to
the subject (or to the embryo or fetus, if
the subject is or may become pregnant)
which are currently unforeseeable;

(e) The informed consent requirements in
this policy are not intended to preempt any
applicable federal, state, or local laws which
require additional information to be disclosed in order for informed consent to be
legally effective.

witness to the oral presentation. Also, the
IRB shall approve a written summary of
what is to be said to the subject or the
representative. Only the short form itself
is to be signed by the subject or the representative. However, the witness shall sign
both the short form and a copy of the
summary, and the person actually obtaining consent shall sign a copy of the summary. A copy of the summary shall be
given to the subject or the representative,
in addition to a copy of the short form.
(c) An IRB may waive the requirement for
the investigator to obtain a signed consent
form for some or all subjects if it finds either:
(1) That the only record linking the subject and the research would be the consent document and the principal risk
would be potential harm resulting from a
breach of confidentiality. Each subject will
be asked whether the subject wants documentation linking the subject with the
research, and the subject's wishes will
govern; or
(2) That the research presents no more
than minimal risk of harm to subjects and
involves no procedures for which written
consent is normally required outside of
the research context.

(f) Nothing in this policy is intended to limit
the authority of a physician to provide emergency medical care, to the extent the physi- In cases in which the documentation requirement is waived, the IRB may require
cian is permitted to do so under applicable
the investigator to provide subjects with a
federal, state, or local law.
written statement regarding the research.
(3) Any additional costs to the subject that
may result from participation in the re(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget
search;
under Control Number 0990-0260.)
(2) Anticipated circumstances under which
the subject's participation may be terminated by the investigator without regard to
the subject's consent;

(4) The consequences of a subject's deci[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991, as amended at 70
sion to withdraw from the research and
FR 36328, June 23, 2005]
procedures for orderly termination of par§ 46.117 Documentation of informed
ticipation by the subject;
consent.
(5) A statement that significant new find- (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of
ings developed during the course of the
this section, informed consent shall be docuresearch which may relate to the subject's
mented by the use of a written consent form
willingness to continue participation will
approved by the IRB and signed by the subbe provided to the subject; and
ject or the subject's legally authorized repre(6) The approximate number of subjects
sentative. A copy shall be given to the perinvolved in the study.
son signing the form.
(c) An IRB may approve a consent proce(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of
dure which does not include, or which alters, this section, the consent form may be either
some or all of the elements of informed
of the following:
consent set forth above, or waive the re(1) A written consent document that emquirement to obtain informed consent probodies the elements of informed consent
vided the IRB finds and documents that:
required by § 46.116. This form may be
(1) The research or demonstration project
read to the subject or the subject's legally
is to be conducted by or subject to the
authorized representative, but in any
approval of state or local government offievent, the investigator shall give either the
cials and is designed to study, evaluate, or
subject or the representative adequate
otherwise examine: (i) public benefit or
opportunity to read it before it is signed;
service programs; (ii) procedures for obor
taining benefits or services under those
(2) A short form written consent docuprograms; (iii) possible changes in or alterment stating that the elements of innatives to those programs or procedures;
formed consent required by § 46.116 have
or (iv) possible changes in methods or
been presented orally to the subject or the
levels of payment for benefits or services
subject's legally authorized representative.
under those programs; and
When this method is used, there shall be a

under Control Number 0990-0260.)

[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991, as amended at 70
FR 36328, June 23, 2005]

§ 46.118 Applications and proposals lacking definite plans for involvement of
human subjects.
Certain types of applications for grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts are submitted to departments or agencies with the
knowledge that subjects may be involved
within the period of support, but definite
plans would not normally be set forth in the
application or proposal. These include activities such as institutional type grants when
selection of specific projects is the institution's responsibility; research training grants
in which the activities involving subjects
remain to be selected; and projects in which
human subjects' involvement will depend
upon completion of instruments, prior animal studies, or purification of compounds.
These applications need not be reviewed by
an IRB before an award may be made. However, except for research exempted or
waived under § 46.101(b) or (i), no human
subjects may be involved in any project supported by these awards until the project has
been reviewed and approved by the IRB, as
provided in this policy, and certification
submitted, by the institution, to the department or agency.

45 CFR 46 - page 8
§ 46.119 Research undertaken without
the intention of involving human
subjects.
In the event research is undertaken without
the intention of involving human subjects,
but it is later proposed to involve human
subjects in the research, the research shall
first be reviewed and approved by an IRB,
as provided in this policy, a certification
submitted, by the institution, to the department or agency, and final approval given to
the proposed change by the department or
agency.
§ 46.120 Evaluation and disposition of
applications and proposals for research to be conducted or supported
by a Federal Department or Agency.
(a) The department or agency head will
evaluate all applications and proposals involving human subjects submitted to the
department or agency through such officers
and employees of the department or agency
and such experts and consultants as the department or agency head determines to be
appropriate. This evaluation will take into
consideration the risks to the subjects, the
adequacy of protection against these risks,
the potential benefits of the research to the
subjects and others, and the importance of
the knowledge gained or to be gained.
(b) On the basis of this evaluation, the department or agency head may approve or
disapprove the application or proposal, or
enter into negotiations to develop an approvable one.
§ 46.121 [Reserved]
§ 46.122 Use of Federal funds.
Federal funds administered by a department
or agency may not be expended for research
involving human subjects unless the requirements of this policy have been satisfied.
§ 46.123 Early termination of research
support: Evaluation of applications and
proposals.
(a) The department or agency head may
require that department or agency support
for any project be terminated or suspended
in the manner prescribed in applicable program requirements, when the department or
agency head finds an institution has materially failed to comply with the terms of this
policy.
(b) In making decisions about supporting or
approving applications or proposals covered
by this policy the department or agency head
may take into account, in addition to all
other eligibility requirements and program
criteria, factors such as whether the applicant has been subject to a termination or
suspension under paragraph (a) of this section and whether the applicant or the person
or persons who would direct or has have
directed the scientific and technical aspects

of an activity has have, in the judgment of
the department or agency head, materially
failed to discharge responsibility for the protection of the rights and welfare of human
subjects (whether or not the research was
subject to federal regulation).
§ 46.124 Conditions.

(c) Fetus means the product of conception
from implantation until delivery.
(d) Neonate means a newborn.
(e) Nonviable neonate means a neonate after
delivery that, although living, is not viable.

With respect to any research project or any
class of research projects the department or
agency head may impose additional conditions prior to or at the time of approval
when in the judgment of the department or
agency head additional conditions are necessary for the protection of human subjects.

(f) Pregnancy encompasses the period of
time from implantation until delivery. A
woman shall be assumed to be pregnant if
she exhibits any of the pertinent presumptive signs of pregnancy, such as missed menses, until the results of a pregnancy test are
negative or until delivery.

Subpart B — Additional Protections
for Pregnant Women, Human
Fetuses and Neonates Involved in
Research

(g) Secretary means the Secretary of Health
and Human Services and any other officer
or employee of the Department of Health
and Human Services to whom authority has
been delegated.

Source: 66 FR 56778, Nov. 13, 2001, unless otherwise
noted.

(h) Viable, as it pertains to the neonate,
means being able, after delivery, to survive
(given the benefit of available medical ther§ 46.201 To what do these regulations
apply?
apy) to the point of independently maintaining heartbeat and respiration. The Secretary
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of
may from time to time, taking into account
this section, this subpart applies to all remedical advances, publish in the FEDERAL
search involving pregnant women, human
REGISTER guidelines to assist in determining
fetuses, neonates of uncertain viability, or
nonviable neonates conducted or supported whether a neonate is viable for purposes of
this subpart. If a neonate is viable then it
by the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS). This includes all research may be included in research only to the exconducted in DHHS facilities by any person tent permitted and in accordance with the
and all research conducted in any facility by requirements of subparts A and D of this
part.
DHHS employees.
(b) The exemptions at § 46.101(b)(1)
through (6) are applicable to this subpart.
(c) The provisions of § 46.101(c) through (i)
are applicable to this subpart. Reference to
State or local laws in this subpart and in
§ 46.101(f) is intended to include the laws of
federally recognized American Indian and
Alaska Native Tribal Governments.
(d) The requirements of this subpart are in
addition to those imposed under the other
subparts of this part.
§ 46.202 Definitions.
The definitions in § 46.102 shall be applicable to this subpart as well. In addition, as
used in this subpart:
(a) Dead fetus means a fetus that exhibits
neither heartbeat, spontaneous respiratory
activity, spontaneous movement of voluntary muscles, nor pulsation of the umbilical
cord.
(b) Delivery means complete separation of
the fetus from the woman by expulsion or
extraction or any other means.

§ 46.203 Duties of IRBs in connection
with research involving pregnant
women, fetuses, and neonates.
In addition to other responsibilities assigned
to IRBs under this part, each IRB shall review research covered by this subpart and
approve only research which satisfies the
conditions of all applicable sections of this
subpart and the other subparts of this part.
§ 46.204 Research involving pregnant
women or fetuses.
Pregnant women or fetuses may be involved
in research if all of the following conditions
are met:
(a) Where scientifically appropriate, preclinical studies, including studies on pregnant
animals, and clinical studies, including studies on nonpregnant women, have been conducted and provide data for assessing potential risks to pregnant women and fetuses;
(b) The risk to the fetus is caused solely by
interventions or procedures that hold out
the prospect of direct benefit for the woman
or the fetus; or, if there is no such prospect
of benefit, the risk to the fetus is not greater

45 CFR 46 - page 9
than minimal and the purpose of the research is the development of important biomedical knowledge which cannot be obtained by any other means;

der paragraph (b)(2) or (c)(5) of this section is fully informed regarding the reasonably foreseeable impact of the research
on the neonate.

(c) Any risk is the least possible for achieving the objectives of the research;

(3) Individuals engaged in the research will
have no part in determining the viability of
a neonate.

(d) If the research holds out the prospect of
direct benefit to the pregnant woman, the
prospect of a direct benefit both to the pregnant woman and the fetus, or no prospect of
benefit for the woman nor the fetus when
risk to the fetus is not greater than minimal
and the purpose of the research is the development of important biomedical knowledge
that cannot be obtained by any other means,
her consent is obtained in accord with the
informed consent provisions of subpart A
of this part;
(e) If the research holds out the prospect of
direct benefit solely to the fetus then the
consent of the pregnant woman and the
father is obtained in accord with the informed consent provisions of subpart A of
this part, except that the father's consent
need not be obtained if he is unable to consent because of unavailability, incompetence,
or temporary incapacity or the pregnancy
resulted from rape or incest.
(f) Each individual providing consent under
paragraph (d) or (e) of this section is fully
informed regarding the reasonably foreseeable impact of the research on the fetus or
neonate;
(g) For children as defined in § 46.402(a)
who are pregnant, assent and permission are
obtained in accord with the provisions of
subpart D of this part;
(h) No inducements, monetary or otherwise,
will be offered to terminate a pregnancy;
(i) Individuals engaged in the research will
have no part in any decisions as to the timing, method, or procedures used to terminate a pregnancy; and
(j) Individuals engaged in the research will
have no part in determining the viability of a
neonate.
§ 46.205 Research involving neonates.
(a) Neonates of uncertain viability and nonviable neonates may be involved in research
if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) Where scientifically appropriate, preclinical and clinical studies have been conducted and provide data for assessing potential risks to neonates.
(2) Each individual providing consent un-

(4) The requirements of paragraph (b) or
(c) of this section have been met as applicable.
(b) Neonates of uncertain viability. Until it
has been ascertained whether or not a neonate is viable, a neonate may not be involved
in research covered by this subpart unless
the following additional conditions have
been met:
(1) The IRB determines that:
(i) The research holds out the prospect
of enhancing the probability of survival
of the neonate to the point of viability,
and any risk is the least possible for
achieving that objective, or

of both parents of the neonate is obtained
in accord with subpart A of this part, except that the waiver and alteration provisions of § 46.116(c) and (d) do not apply.
However, if either parent is unable to consent because of unavailability, incompetence, or temporary incapacity, the informed consent of one parent of a nonviable neonate will suffice to meet the requirements of this paragraph (c)(5), except
that the consent of the father need not be
obtained if the pregnancy resulted from
rape or incest. The consent of a legally
authorized representative of either or both
of the parents of a nonviable neonate will
not suffice to meet the requirements of
this paragraph (c)(5).
(d) Viable neonates. A neonate, after delivery, that has been determined to be viable
may be included in research only to the extent permitted by and in accord with the
requirements of subparts A and D of this
part.

§ 46.206 Research involving, after deliv(ii) The purpose of the research is the
ery, the placenta, the dead fetus or
development of important biomedical
fetal material.
knowledge which cannot be obtained by
other means and there will be no added (a) Research involving, after delivery, the
placenta; the dead fetus; macerated fetal
risk to the neonate resulting from the
material; or cells, tissue, or organs excised
research; and
from a dead fetus, shall be conducted only
(2) The legally effective informed consent in accord with any applicable Federal, State,
of either parent of the neonate or, if neior local laws and regulations regarding such
ther parent is able to consent because of
activities.
unavailability, incompetence, or temporary
(b) If information associated with material
incapacity, the legally effective informed
described in paragraph (a) of this section is
consent of either parent's legally authorrecorded for research purposes in a manner
ized representative is obtained in accord
with subpart A of this part, except that the that living individuals can be identified, diconsent of the father or his legally author- rectly or through identifiers linked to those
ized representative need not be obtained if individuals, those individuals are research
the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. subjects and all pertinent subparts of this
part are applicable.
(c) Nonviable neonates. After delivery non§ 46.207 Research not otherwise approvviable neonate may not be involved in reable which presents an opportunity
search covered by this subpart unless all of
to understand, prevent, or alleviate a
the following additional conditions are met:
serious problem affecting the health
(1) Vital functions of the neonate will not
or welfare of pregnant women, febe artificially maintained;
tuses, or neonates.
(2) The research will not terminate the
The Secretary will conduct or fund research
heartbeat or respiration of the neonate;
that the IRB does not believe meets the
(3) There will be no added risk to the neo- requirements of § 46.204 or § 46.205 only if:
nate resulting from the research;
(a) The IRB finds that the research presents
(4) The purpose of the research is the de- a reasonable opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a
velopment of important biomedical
serious problem affecting the health or welknowledge that cannot be obtained by
fare of pregnant women, fetuses or neoother means; and
nates; and
(5) The legally effective informed consent
(b) The Secretary, after consultation with a

45 CFR 46 - page 10
panel of experts in pertinent disciplines (for
example: science, medicine, ethics, law) and
following opportunity for public review and
comment, including a public meeting announced in the FEDERAL REGISTER, has
determined either:
(1) That the research in fact satisfies the
conditions of § 46.204, as applicable; or
(2) The following:
(i) The research presents a reasonable
opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem affecting the health or
welfare of pregnant women, fetuses or
neonates;

subpart is applicable.
§ 46.303 Definitions.
As used in this subpart:
(a) Secretary means the Secretary of Health
and Human Services and any other officer
or employee of the Department of Health
and Human Services to whom authority has
been delegated.
(b) DHHS means the Department of Health
and Human Services.

(c) Prisoner means any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal institution. The term is intended to encompass
individuals sentenced to such an institution
under a criminal or civil statute, individuals
(ii) The research will be conducted in
detained in other facilities by virtue of stataccord with sound ethical principles;
utes or commitment procedures which proand
vide alternatives to criminal prosecution or
(iii) Informed consent will be obtained incarceration in a penal institution, and individuals detained pending arraignment, trial,
in accord with the informed consent
provisions of subpart A and other appli- or sentencing.
cable subparts of this part.
(d) Minimal risk is the probability and magni-

Subpart C — Additional Protections
Pertaining to Biomedical and
Behavioral Research Involving
Prisoners as Subjects
Source: 43 FR 53655, Nov. 16, 1978, unless otherwise
noted.

§ 46.301 Applicability.
(a) The regulations in this subpart are applicable to all biomedical and behavioral research conducted or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services
involving prisoners as subjects.

tude of physical or psychological harm that
is normally encountered in the daily lives, or
in the routine medical, dental, or psychological examination of healthy persons.
§ 46.304 Composition of Institutional
Review Boards where prisoners are
involved.
In addition to satisfying the requirements in
§ 46.107 of this part, an Institutional Review
Board, carrying out responsibilities under
this part with respect to research covered by
this subpart, shall also meet the following
specific requirements:

(a) A majority of the Board (exclusive of
prisoner members) shall have no association
(b) Nothing in this subpart shall be construed as indicating that compliance with the with the prison(s) involved, apart from their
membership on the Board.
procedures set forth herein will authorize
research involving prisoners as subjects, to
(b) At least one member of the Board shall
the extent such research is limited or barred be a prisoner, or a prisoner representative
by applicable State or local law.
with appropriate background and experience
to serve in that capacity, except that where a
(c) The requirements of this subpart are in
particular research project is reviewed by
addition to those imposed under the other
more than one Board only one Board need
subparts of this part.
satisfy this requirement.
§ 46.302 Purpose.
[43 FR 53655, Nov. 16, 1978, as amended at 46 FR
Inasmuch as prisoners may be under con8366, Jan. 26, 1981]
straints because of their incarceration which
could affect their ability to make a truly vol§ 46.305 Additional duties of the Instituuntary and uncoerced decision whether or
tional Review Boards where prisonnot to participate as subjects in research, it is
ers are involved.
the purpose of this subpart to provide additional safeguards for the protection of pris- (a) In addition to all other responsibilities
oners involved in activities to which this
prescribed for Institutional Review Boards

under this part, the Board shall review research covered by this subpart and approve
such research only if it finds that:
(1) The research under review represents
one of the categories of research permissible under § 46.306(a)(2);
(2) Any possible advantages accruing to
the prisoner through his or her participation in the research, when compared to the
general living conditions, medical care,
quality of food, amenities and opportunity
for earnings in the prison, are not of such
a magnitude that his or her ability to weigh
the risks of the research against the value
of such advantages in the limited choice
environment of the prison is impaired;
(3) The risks involved in the research are
commensurate with risks that would be
accepted by nonprisoner volunteers;
(4) Procedures for the selection of subjects
within the prison are fair to all prisoners
and immune from arbitrary intervention
by prison authorities or prisoners. Unless
the principal investigator provides to the
Board justification in writing for following
some other procedures, control subjects
must be selected randomly from the group
of available prisoners who meet the characteristics needed for that particular research project;
(5) The information is presented in language which is understandable to the subject population;
(6) Adequate assurance exists that parole
boards will not take into account a prisoner's participation in the research in making decisions regarding parole, and each
prisoner is clearly informed in advance
that participation in the research will have
no effect on his or her parole; and
(7) Where the Board finds there may be a
need for follow-up examination or care of
participants after the end of their participation, adequate provision has been made
for such examination or care, taking into
account the varying lengths of individual
prisoners' sentences, and for informing
participants of this fact.
(b) The Board shall carry out such other
duties as may be assigned by the Secretary.
(c) The institution shall certify to the Secretary, in such form and manner as the Secretary may require, that the duties of the
Board under this section have been fulfilled.

45 CFR 46 - page 11
§ 46.306 Permitted research involving
prisoners.
(a) Biomedical or behavioral research conducted or supported by DHHS may involve
prisoners as subjects only if:

Subpart D — Additional Protections
for Children Involved as Subjects in Research
Source: 48 FR 9818, March 8, 1983, unless otherwise
noted.

(1) The institution responsible for the con- § 46.401 To what do these regulations
duct of the research has certified to the
apply?
Secretary that the Institutional Review
(a) This subpart applies to all research inBoard has approved the research under
volving children as subjects, conducted or
§ 46.305 of this subpart; and
supported by the Department of Health and
(2) In the judgment of the Secretary the
Human Services.
proposed research involves solely the fol(1) This includes research conducted by
lowing:
Department employees, except that each
(i) Study of the possible causes, effects,
head of an Operating Division of the Deand processes of incarceration, and of
partment may adopt such nonsubstantive,
criminal behavior, provided that the
procedural modifications as may be approstudy presents no more than minimal
priate from an administrative standpoint.
risk and no more than inconvenience to
(2) It also includes research conducted or
the subjects;
supported by the Department of Health
(ii) Study of prisons as institutional struc- and Human Services outside the United
tures or of prisoners as incarcerated perStates, but in appropriate circumstances,
sons, provided that the study presents no the Secretary may, under paragraph (e) of
more than minimal risk and no more
§ 46.101 of Subpart A, waive the applicathan inconvenience to the subjects;
bility of some or all of the requirements of
these regulations for research of this type.
(iii) Research on conditions particularly
affecting prisoners as a class (for exam- (b) Exemptions at § 46.101(b)(1) and (b)(3)
ple, vaccine trials and other research on through (b)(6) are applicable to this subpart.
hepatitis which is much more prevalent The exemption at § 46.101(b)(2) regarding
in prisons than elsewhere; and research
educational tests is also applicable to this
on social and psychological problems
subpart. However, the exemption at
such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and
§ 46.101(b)(2) for research involving survey
sexual assaults) provided that the study
or interview procedures or observations of
may proceed only after the Secretary has public behavior does not apply to research
consulted with appropriate experts incovered by this subpart, except for research
cluding experts in penology, medicine,
involving observation of public behavior
and ethics, and published notice, in the
when the investigator(s) do not participate in
FEDERAL REGISTER, of his intent to
the activities being observed.
approve such research; or
(c) The exceptions, additions, and provisions
(iv) Research on practices, both innova- for waiver as they appear in paragraphs (c)
tive and accepted, which have the intent through (i) of § 46.101 of Subpart A are
and reasonable probability of improving applicable to this subpart.
the health or well-being of the subject. In
FR 9818, Mar.8, 1983; 56 FR 28032, June 18, 1991;
cases in which those studies require the [48
56 FR 29757, June 28, 1991.]
assignment of prisoners in a manner
§ 46.402 Definitions.
consistent with protocols approved by
the IRB to control groups which may
The definitions in § 46.102 of Subpart A
not benefit from the research, the study shall be applicable to this subpart as well. In
may proceed only after the Secretary has addition, as used in this subpart:
consulted with appropriate experts, in(a) Children are persons who have not atcluding experts in penology, medicine,
tained the legal age for consent to treatand ethics, and published notice, in the
ments or procedures involved in the reFEDERAL REGISTER, of the intent to
search, under the applicable law of the jurisapprove such research.
diction in which the research will be con(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of
ducted.
this section, biomedical or behavioral re(b) Assent means a child's affirmative agreesearch conducted or supported by DHHS
ment to participate in research. Mere failure
shall not involve prisoners as subjects.

to object should not, absent affirmative
agreement, be construed as assent.
(c) Permission means the agreement of
parent(s) or guardian to the participation of
their child or ward in research.
(d) Parent means a child's biological or adoptive parent.
(e) Guardian means an individual who is authorized under applicable State or local law
to consent on behalf of a child to general
medical care.
§ 46.403 IRB duties.
In addition to other responsibilities assigned
to IRBs under this part, each IRB shall review research covered by this subpart and
approve only research which satisfies the
conditions of all applicable sections of this
subpart.
§ 46.404 Research not involving greater
than minimal risk.
HHS will conduct or fund research in which
the IRB finds that no greater than minimal
risk to children is presented, only if the IRB
finds that adequate provisions are made for
soliciting the assent of the children and the
permission of their parents or guardians, as
set forth in § 46.408.
§ 46.405 Research involving greater than
minimal risk but presenting the
prospect of direct benefit to the individual subjects.
HHS will conduct or fund research in which
the IRB finds that more than minimal risk to
children is presented by an intervention or
procedure that holds out the prospect of
direct benefit for the individual subject, or
by a monitoring procedure that is likely to
contribute to the subject's well-being, only if
the IRB finds that:
(a) The risk is justified by the anticipated
benefit to the subjects;
(b) The relation of the anticipated benefit to
the risk is at least as favorable to the subjects
as that presented by available alternative
approaches; and
(c) Adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of the children and permission
of their parents or guardians, as set forth in
§ 46.408.

45 CFR 46 - page 12
§ 46.406 Research involving greater than
minimal risk and no prospect of direct benefit to individual subjects,
but likely to yield generalizable
knowledge about the subject's disorder or condition.
HHS will conduct or fund research in which
the IRB finds that more than minimal risk to
children is presented by an intervention or
procedure that does not hold out the prospect of direct benefit for the individual subject, or by a monitoring procedure which is
not likely to contribute to the well-being of
the subject, only if the IRB finds that:
(a) The risk represents a minor increase over
minimal risk;
(b) The intervention or procedure presents
experiences to subjects that are reasonably
commensurate with those inherent in their
actual or expected medical, dental, psychological, social, or educational situations;
(c) The intervention or procedure is likely to
yield generalizable knowledge about the
subjects’ disorder or condition which is of
vital importance for the understanding or
amelioration of the subjects' disorder or
condition; and

opportunity to further the understand- reasonably available, or when only one paring, prevention, or alleviation of a seri- ent has legal responsibility for the care and
custody of the child.
ous problem affecting the health or
welfare of children;
(c) In addition to the provisions for waiver
(ii) The research will be conducted in contained in § 46.116 of Subpart A, if the
accordance with sound ethical princi- IRB determines that a research protocol is
designed for conditions or for a subject
ples;
(iii) Adequate provisions are made for population for which parental or guardian
permission is not a reasonable requirement
soliciting the assent of children and the
to protect the subjects (for example, nepermission of their parents or guardiglected or abused children), it may waive the
ans, as set forth in § 46.408.
consent requirements in Subpart A of this
§ 46.408 Requirements for permission by part and paragraph (b) of this section, proparents or guardians and for assent vided an appropriate mechanism for proby children.
tecting the children who will participate as
subjects in the research is substituted, and
(a) In addition to the determinations reprovided further that the waiver is not inquired under other applicable sections of
consistent with Federal, state, or local law.
this subpart, the IRB shall determine that
adequate provisions are made for soliciting The choice of an appropriate mechanism
the assent of the children, when in the judg- would depend upon the nature and purpose
ment of the IRB the children are capable of of the activities described in the protocol,
the risk and anticipated benefit to the reproviding assent. In determining whether
search subjects, and their age, maturity,
children are capable of assenting, the IRB
status, and condition.
shall take into account the ages, maturity,

and psychological state of the children involved. This judgment may be made for all
children to be involved in research under a
particular protocol, or for each child, as the
(d) Adequate provisions are made for solicit- IRB deems appropriate. If the IRB determines that the capability of some or all of
ing assent of the children and permission of
the children is so limited that they cannot
their parents or guardians, as set forth in
reasonably be consulted or that the interven§ 46.408.
tion or procedure involved in the research
§ 46.407 Research not otherwise approv- holds out a prospect of direct benefit that is
able which presents an opportunity important to the health or well-being of the
to understand, prevent, or alleviate a children and is available only in the context
serious problem affecting the health of the research, the assent of the children is
or welfare of children.
not a necessary condition for proceeding
HHS will conduct or fund research that the with the research. Even where the IRB determines that the subjects are capable of
IRB does not believe meets the requirements of § 46.404, § 46.405, or § 46.406 only assenting, the IRB may still waive the assent
requirement under circumstances in which
if:
consent may be waived in accord with
(a) The IRB finds that the research presents § 46.116 of Subpart A.
a reasonable opportunity to further the un(b) In addition to the determinations rederstanding, prevention, or alleviation of a
serious problem affecting the health or wel- quired under other applicable sections of
this subpart, the IRB shall determine, in
fare of children; and
accordance with and to the extent that con(b) The Secretary, after consultation with a
sent is required by § 46.116 of Subpart A,
panel of experts in pertinent disciplines (for that adequate provisions are made for solicexample: science, medicine, education, eth- iting the permission of each child's parents
ics, law) and following opportunity for pub- or guardian. Where parental permission is to
lic review and comment, has determined
be obtained, the IRB may find that the pereither:
mission of one parent is sufficient for research to be conducted under § 46.404 or
(1) That the research in fact satisfies the
§ 46.405. Where research is covered by
conditions of § 46.404, § 46.405, or
§§ 46.406 and 46.407 and permission is to be
§ 46.406, as applicable, or
obtained from parents, both parents must
(2) The following:
give their permission unless one parent is
(i) The research presents a reasonable deceased, unknown, incompetent, or not

(d) Permission by parents or guardians shall
be documented in accordance with and to
the extent required by § 46.117 of Subpart
A.
(e) When the IRB determines that assent is
required, it shall also determine whether and
how assent must be documented.
§ 46.409 Wards.
(a) Children who are wards of the state or
any other agency, institution, or entity can
be included in research approved under
§ 46.406 or § 46.407 only if such research is:
(1) Related to their status as wards; or
(2) Conducted in schools, camps, hospitals, institutions, or similar settings in
which the majority of children involved as
subjects are not wards.
(b) If the research is approved under paragraph (a) of this section, the IRB shall require appointment of an advocate for each
child who is a ward, in addition to any other
individual acting on behalf of the child as
guardian or in loco parentis. One individual
may serve as advocate for more than one
child. The advocate shall be an individual
who has the background and experience to
act in, and agrees to act in, the best interests
of the child for the duration of the child's
participation in the research and who is not
associated in any way (except in the role as
advocate or member of the IRB) with the
research, the investigator(s), or the guardian
organization.