Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations
TITLE 45
PUBLIC WELFARE
Department of Health and Human Services
PART 46
PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS
***
Revised January 15, 2009
Effective July 14, 2009

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.

46.114 Cooperative research.
46.115 IRB records.
46.116 General requirements for informed consent.
46.117 Documentation of informed
consent.

SUBPART B—
Additional Protections for
Pregnant Women, Human Fetuses and Neonates Involved
in Research
Sec.
46.201 To what do these regulations
apply?

46.118 Applications and proposals lack- 46.202 Definitions.
ing definite plans for involvement
46.203 Duties of IRBs in connection
of human subjects.
with research involving pregnant
women, fetuses, and neonates.
46.119 Research undertaken without
46.104- [Reserved]
the intention of involving human
46.106
46.204 Research involving pregnant
subjects.
women or fetuses.
46.107 IRB membership.
46.120 Evaluation and disposition of
applications and proposals for re- 46.205 Research involving neonates.
46.108 IRB functions and operations.
search to be conducted or supported by a Federal Department or 46.206 Research involving, after deliv46.109 IRB review of research.
ery, the placenta, the dead fetus or
Agency.
fetal material.
46.110 Expedited review procedures for 46.121 [Reserved]
certain kinds of research involving
46.207 Research not otherwise approvno more than minimal risk, and for 46.122 Use of Federal funds.
able which presents an opportunity
minor changes in approved reto understand, prevent, or alleviate
search.
a serious problem affecting the
46.123 Early termination of research
health or welfare of pregnant
support: Evaluation of applica46.111 Criteria for IRB approval of
women, fetuses, or neonates.
tions and proposals.
research.
46.124 Conditions.
46.112 Review by institution.
46.113 Suspension or termination of
IRB approval of research.

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45 CFR 46

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

SUBPART D—
SUBPART E —
Additional Protections
Registration of Institutional
for Children Involved as Sub- Review Boards
jects
in Research

Sec.
46.301 Applicability.

Sec.
46.401 To what do these regulations
apply?

46.302 Purpose.

46.402 Definitions.

46.303 Definitions.

46.403 IRB duties.

46.404 Research not involving greater
46.304 Composition of Institutional
than minimal risk.
Review Boards where prisoners
are involved.
46.405 Research involving greater
than minimal risk but presenting
46.305 Additional duties of the Instithe prospect of direct benefit to
tutional Review Boards where
the individual subjects.
prisoners are involved.
46.306 Permitted research involving
prisoners.

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.

Sec.
46.501 What IRBs must be registered?
46.502 What information must be
provided when registering an
IRB?
46.503 When must an IRB be registered?
46.504 How must an IRB be registered?
46.505 When must IRB registration
information be renewed or updated?

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
notice of waiver regarding the requirements set forth in part 46, relating to
protection of human subjects, as they
pertain to demonstration projects,
approved under section 1115 of the
Social Security Act, which test the use
of cost-sharing, such as deductibles,
copayment and coinsurance, in the
Medicaid program. For further information see 47 FR 9208, Mar. 4, 1982.

45 CFR 46

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 educa-

3
tional 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.

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
(5) Research and demonstration projects
which are conducted by or subject to the function for the protection of human research subjects is internationally recognized.]
approval of department or agency heads,
and which are designed to study, evaluate, In these circumstances, if a department or
or otherwise examine:(i) Public benefit or agency head determines that the procedures
prescribed by the institution afford protecservice programs; (ii) procedures for obtions that are at least equivalent to those
taining benefits or services under those
programs; (iii) possible changes in or alter- provided in this policy, the department or
natives to those programs or procedures; agency head may approve the substitution of
the foreign procedures in lieu of the proceor (iv) possible changes in methods or
levels of payment for benefits or services dural requirements provided in this policy.
Except when otherwise required by statute,
under those programs.
Executive Order, or the department or
(6) Taste and food quality evaluation and
agency head, notices of these actions as they
consumer acceptance studies, (i) if wholeoccur will be published in the FEDERAL
some foods without additives are conREGISTER or will be otherwise published
sumed or (ii) if a food is consumed that
as provided in department or agency procecontains a food ingredient at or below the
dures.
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
(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.

4
(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 of 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]

§46.102 Definitions.
(a) Department or agency head means the head
of any federal department or agency and any
other officer or employee of any department
or agency to whom authority has been delegated.

45 CFR 46
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. Interac(b) Institution means any public or private
entity or agency (including federal, state, and tion includes communication or interpersonal contact between investigator and subother agencies).
ject. Private information includes informa(c) Legally authorized representative means an
tion about behavior that occurs in a context
individual or judicial or other body authorin which an individual can reasonably expect
ized under applicable law to consent on
that no observation or recording is taking
behalf of a prospective subject to the subplace, and information which has been project’s participation in the procedure(s) invided for specific purposes by an individual
volved in the research.
and which the individual can reasonably
(d) Research means a systematic investigation, expect will not be made public (for example,
including research development, testing and a medical record).
evaluation, designed to develop or contribPrivate information must be individually identiute to generalizable knowledge. Activities
fiable (i.e., the identity of the subject is or
which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether may readily be ascertained by the investigaor not they are conducted or supported un- tor or associated with the information) in
der a program which is considered research order for obtaining the information to confor other purposes. For example, some dem- stitute research involving human subjects.
onstration and service programs may include (g) IRB means an institutional review board
research activities.
established in accord with and for the purposes expressed in this policy.
(e) Research subject to regulation, and similar
terms are intended to encompass those re(h) IRB approval means the determination of
search activities for which a federal depart- the IRB that the research has been reviewed
ment or agency has specific responsibility
and may be conducted at an institution

1Institutions

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.
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.

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.

45 CFR 46
§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 sufficient
staff to support the IRB's review and recordkeeping duties.

5
(3)A list of IRB members identified by
name; earned degrees; representative capacity; indications of experience such as
board certifications, licenses, etc., sufficient to describe each member's chief anticipated contributions to IRB deliberations; and any employment or other relationship between each member and the
institution; for example: full-time employee, part-time employee, member of
governing panel or board, stockholder,
paid or unpaid consultant. Changes in IRB
membership shall be reported to the department or agency head, unless in accord
with §46.103(a) of this policy, the existence of an HHS-approved assurance is
accepted. In this case, change in IRB
membership shall be reported to the Office for Human Research Protections,
HHS, or any successor office.

this purpose as the department or agency
head determines to be appropriate. The department or agency head's evaluation will
take into consideration the adequacy of the
proposed IRB in light of the anticipated
scope of the institution's research activities
and the types of subject populations likely to
be involved, the appropriateness of the proposed initial and continuing review procedures in light of the probable risks, and the
size and complexity of the institution.
(e) On the basis of this evaluation, the department or agency head may approve or
disapprove the assurance, or enter into negotiations to develop an approvable one.
The department or agency head may limit
the period during which any particular approved assurance or class of approved assurances shall remain effective or otherwise
condition or restrict approval.

(4)Written procedures which the IRB will
follow (i) for conducting its initial and
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.

(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
assurance covering the research shall certify
(5)Written procedures for ensuring
within 30 days after receipt of a request for
prompt reporting to the IRB, appropriate such a certification from the department or
institutional officials, and the department agency, that the application or proposal has
or agency head of (i) any unanticipated
been approved by the IRB. If the certificaproblems involving risks to subjects or
tion is not submitted within these time limothers or any serious or continuing nonits, the application or proposal may be recompliance with this policy or the require- turned to the institution.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget
ments or determinations of the IRB; and
(ii) any suspension or termination of IRB under Control Number 0990-0260.)
[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991; 56 FR 29756, June
approval.
28, 1991, as amended at 70 FR 36328, June 23, 2005]

(c) The assurance shall be executed by an
§§46.104--46.106 [Reserved]
individual authorized to act for the institution and to assume on behalf of the institution 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
evaluate all assurances submitted in accordance with this policy through such officers
and employees of the department or agency
and such experts or consultants engaged for

6

45 CFR 46

§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:
(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).
(b) Except when an expedited review procedure is used (see §46.110), 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.
§46.109 IRB review of research.
(a) An IRB shall review and have authority
to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove all research
activities covered by this policy.

(b) An IRB shall require that information
given to subjects as part of informed consent is in accordance with §46.116. The IRB
may require that information, in addition to
that specifically mentioned in §46.116, be
given to the subjects when in the IRB's judgment the information would meaningfully
add to the protection of the rights and wel(b) Every nondiscriminatory effort will be
made to ensure that no IRB consists entirely fare of subjects.
of men or entirely of women, including the (c) An IRB shall require documentation of
institution's consideration of qualified perinformed consent or may waive documentasons of both sexes, so long as no selection is tion in accordance with §46.117.
made to the IRB on the basis of gender. No
IRB may consist entirely of members of one (d) An IRB shall notify investigators and the
institution in writing of its decision to approfession.
prove or disapprove the proposed research
(c) Each IRB shall include at least one mem- activity, or of modifications required to seber whose primary concerns are in scientific cure IRB approval of the research activity. If
areas and at least one member whose prithe IRB decides to disapprove a research
mary concerns are in nonscientific areas.
activity, it shall include in its written notifica(d) Each IRB shall include at least one mem- tion a statement of the reasons for its deciber who is not otherwise affiliated with the sion and give the investigator an opportunity
institution and who is not part of the imme- to respond in person or in writing.
diate family of a person who is affiliated
(e) An IRB shall conduct continuing review
with the institution.
of research covered by this policy at inter(e) No IRB may have a member participate vals appropriate to the degree of risk, but
not less than once per year, and shall have
in the IRB's initial or continuing review of
any project in which the member has a con- authority to observe or have a third party
flicting interest, except to provide informa- observe the consent process and the research.
tion 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

(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]

§46.110 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
expedited review procedure. The list will be
amended, as appropriate, after consultation
with other departments and agencies,
through periodic republication by the Secretary, HHS, in the FEDERAL REGISTER.
A copy of the list is available from the Office for Human Research Protections, HHS,
or any successor office.
(b) An IRB may use the expedited review
procedure to review either or both of the
following:
(1) some or all of the research appearing
on the list and found by the reviewer(s) to
involve no more than minimal risk,
(2) minor changes in previously approved
research during the period (of one year or
less) for which approval is authorized.
Under an expedited review procedure, the
review may be carried out by the IRB chairperson or by one or more experienced reviewers designated by the chairperson from
among members of the IRB. In reviewing
the research, the reviewers may exercise all
of the authorities of the IRB except that the
reviewers may not disapprove the research.
A research activity may be disapproved only
after review in accordance with the nonexpedited procedure set forth in §46.108(b).
(c) Each IRB which uses an expedited review procedure shall adopt a method for
keeping all members advised of research
proposals which have been approved under
the procedure.
(d) The department or agency head may
restrict, suspend, terminate, or choose not to
authorize an institution's or IRB's use of the
expedited review procedure.
[56 FR 28012, 28022, June 18, 1991, as amended at 70
FR 36328, June 23, 2005]

§46.111 Criteria for IRB approval of research.
(a) In order to approve research covered by
this policy the IRB shall determine that all of
the following requirements are satisfied:
(1) Risks to subjects are minimized: (i) By
using procedures which are consistent
with sound research design and which do
not unnecessarily expose subjects to risk,
and (ii) whenever appropriate, by using
procedures already being performed on
the subjects for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.

45 CFR 46
(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.
(5) Informed consent will be appropriately
documented, in accordance with, and to
the extent required by §46.117.
(6) When appropriate, the research plan
makes adequate provision for monitoring
the data collected to ensure the safety of
subjects.
(7) When appropriate, there are adequate
provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of
data.
(b) When some or all of the subjects are
likely to be vulnerable to coercion or undue
influence, such as children, prisoners, pregnant women, mentally disabled persons, or
economically or educationally disadvantaged
persons, additional safeguards have been
included in the study to protect the rights
and welfare of these subjects.
§46.112 Review by institution.
Research covered by this policy that has
been approved by an IRB may be subject to
further appropriate review and approval or
disapproval by officials of the institution.
However, those officials may not approve
the research if it has not been approved by
an IRB.

7
§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.
§46.115 IRB records.
(a) An institution, or when appropriate an
IRB, shall prepare and maintain adequate
documentation of IRB activities, including
the following:
(1) Copies of all research proposals reviewed, scientific evaluations, if any, that
accompany the proposals, approved sample consent documents, progress reports
submitted by investigators, and reports of
injuries to subjects.
(2) Minutes of IRB meetings which shall
be in sufficient detail to show attendance
at the meetings; actions taken by the IRB;
the vote on these actions including the
number of members voting for, against,
and abstaining; the basis for requiring
changes in or disapproving research; and a
written summary of the discussion of controverted issues and their resolution.
(3) Records of continuing review activities.
(4) Copies of all correspondence between
the IRB and the investigators.
(5) A list of IRB members in the same
detail as described in §46.103(b)(3).
(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;

8
(6) For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether any
compensation and an explanation as to
whether any medical treatments are available if injury occurs and, if so, what they
consist of, or where further information
may be obtained;
(7) An explanation of whom to contact for
answers to pertinent questions about the
research and research subjects' rights, and
whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury to the subject; and
(8) A statement that participation is voluntary, refusal to participate will involve no
penalty or loss of benefits to which the
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.
(b) Additional elements of informed consent. When appropriate, one or more of the
following elements of information shall also
be provided to each subject:
(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;
(2) Anticipated circumstances under which
the subject's participation may be terminated by the investigator without regard to
the subject's consent;
(3) Any additional costs to the subject that
may result from participation in the research;
(4) The consequences of a subject's decision to withdraw from the research and
procedures for orderly termination of participation by the subject;
(5) A statement that significant new findings developed during the course of the
research which may relate to the subject's
willingness to continue participation will
be provided to the subject; and
(6) The approximate number of subjects
involved in the study.
(c) An IRB may approve a consent procedure which does not include, or which alters,
some or all of the elements of informed
consent set forth above, or waive the requirement to obtain informed consent provided the IRB finds and documents that:
(1) The research or demonstration project
is to be conducted by or subject to the
approval of state or local government officials and is 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; and

45 CFR 46
(2) The research could not practicably be
carried out without the waiver or alteration.
(d) An IRB may approve a consent procedure which does not include, or which alters,
some or all of the elements of informed
consent set forth in this section, or waive
the requirements to obtain informed consent provided the IRB finds and documents
that:
1) The research involves no more than minimal risk to the subjects;
(2) The waiver or alteration will not adversely affect the rights and welfare of the
subjects;
(3) The research could not practicably be
carried out without the waiver or alteration;
and
(4) Whenever appropriate, the subjects will
be provided with additional pertinent information after participation.
(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.
(f) Nothing in this policy is intended to limit
the authority of a physician to provide emergency medical care, to the extent the physician is permitted to do so under applicable
federal, state, or local law.
(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]

§46.117 Documentation of informed consent.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of
this section, informed consent shall be documented by the use of a written consent form
approved by the IRB and signed by the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative. A copy shall be given to the person signing the form.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of
this section, the consent form may be either
of the following:
(1) A written consent document that embodies the elements of informed consent
required by §46.116. This form may be read
to the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative, but in any event, the
investigator shall give either the subject or
the representative adequate opportunity to
read it before it is signed; or
(2) A short form written consent document
stating that the elements of informed consent required by §46.116 have been presented orally to the subject or the subject's
legally authorized representative. When this
method is used, there shall be a 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.
In cases in which the documentation requirement is waived, the IRB may require
the investigator to provide subjects with a
written statement regarding the research.
(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]

§46.118 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
§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

9
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.
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.

Subpart B
Additional Protections for Pregnant Women, Human Fetuses
and Neonates Involved in Research
Source: 66 FR 56778, Nov. 13, 2001, unless otherwise
noted.

(b) Delivery means complete separation of
the fetus from the woman by expulsion or
extraction or any other means.
(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.
(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.
(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.

(h) Viable, as it pertains to the neonate,
means being able, after delivery, to survive
(given the benefit of available medical therapy) to the point of independently maintain(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of
ing heartbeat and respiration. The Secretary
this section, this subpart applies to all remay from time to time, taking into account
search involving pregnant women, human
medical advances, publish in the FEDERAL
fetuses, neonates of uncertain viability, or
nonviable neonates conducted or supported REGISTER guidelines to assist in determining whether a neonate is viable for purposes
by the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS). This includes all research of this subpart. If a neonate is viable then it
conducted in DHHS facilities by any person may be included in research only to the exand all research conducted in any facility by tent permitted and in accordance with the
requirements of subparts A and D of this
DHHS employees.
part.
(b) The exemptions at §46.101(b)(1) through
§46.203 Duties of IRBs in connection
(6) are applicable to this subpart.
with research involving pregnant
(c) The provisions of §46.101(c) through (i)
women, fetuses, and neonates.
are applicable to this subpart. Reference to
In addition to other responsibilities assigned
State or local laws in this subpart and in
§46.101(f) is intended to include the laws of to IRBs under this part, each IRB shall review research covered by this subpart and
federally recognized American Indian and
approve only research which satisfies the
Alaska Native Tribal Governments.
conditions of all applicable sections of this
(d) The requirements of this subpart are in
subpart and the other subparts of this part.
addition to those imposed under the other
§46.204 Research involving pregnant
subparts of this part.
women or fetuses.
§46.202 Definitions.
Pregnant women or fetuses may be involved
The definitions in §46.102 shall be applicain research if all of the following conditions
ble to this subpart as well. In addition, as
are met:
used in this subpart:
(a) Where scientifically appropriate, preclini(a) Dead fetus means a fetus that exhibits
cal studies, including studies on pregnant
neither heartbeat, spontaneous respiratory
animals, and clinical studies, including studactivity, spontaneous movement of volunies on nonpregnant women, have been contary muscles, nor pulsation of the umbilical
ducted and provide data for assessing potencord.
tial risks to pregnant women and fetuses;
§46.201 To what do these regulations
apply?

10
(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
than minimal and the purpose of the research is the development of important biomedical knowledge which cannot be obtained by any other means;
(c) Any risk is the least possible for achieving the objectives of the research;
(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:

45 CFR 46
(1) Where scientifically appropriate, preclinical and clinical studies have been conducted and provide data for assessing potential risks to neonates.

(4) The purpose of the research is the development of important biomedical
knowledge that cannot be obtained by
other means; and

(2) Each individual providing consent under paragraph (b)(2) or (c)(5) of this section is fully informed regarding the reasonably foreseeable impact of the research
on the neonate.

(5) The legally effective informed consent
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).

(3) Individuals engaged in the research will
have no part in determining the viability of
a neonate.
(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
(ii) The purpose of the research is the development of important biomedical
knowledge which cannot be obtained by
other means and there will be no added
risk to the neonate resulting from the research; and
(2) The legally effective informed consent
of either parent of the neonate or, if neither parent is able to consent because of
unavailability, incompetence, or temporary
incapacity, the legally effective informed
consent of either parent's legally authorized representative is obtained in accord
with subpart A of this part, except that the
consent of the father or his legally authorized representative need not be obtained if
the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.
(c) Nonviable neonates. After delivery nonviable neonate may not be involved in research covered by this subpart unless all of
the following additional conditions are met:
(1) Vital functions of the neonate will not
be artificially maintained;
(2) The research will not terminate the
heartbeat or respiration of the neonate;

(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 delivery, the placenta, the dead fetus or
fetal material.
(a) Research involving, after delivery, the
placenta; the dead fetus; macerated fetal
material; or cells, tissue, or organs excised
from a dead fetus, shall be conducted only
in accord with any applicable federal, state,
or local laws and regulations regarding such
activities.
(b) If information associated with material
described in paragraph (a) of this section is
recorded for research purposes in a manner
that living individuals can be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to those
individuals, those individuals are research
subjects and all pertinent subparts of this
part are applicable.
§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.

The Secretary will conduct or fund research
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

45 CFR 46
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; and
(b) The Secretary, after consultation with a
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;
(ii) The research will be conducted in accord with sound ethical principles; and
(iii) Informed consent will be obtained in
accord with the informed consent provisions of subpart A and other applicable
subparts of this part.

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.
(b) Nothing in this subpart shall be construed as indicating that compliance with the
procedures set forth herein will authorize
research involving prisoners as subjects, to
the extent such research is limited or barred
by applicable State or local law.
(c) The requirements of this subpart are in
addition to those imposed under the other
subparts of this part.
§46.302 Purpose.
Inasmuch as prisoners may be under constraints because of their incarceration which

11
could affect their ability to make a truly voluntary and uncoerced decision whether or
not to participate as subjects in research, it is
the purpose of this subpart to provide additional safeguards for the protection of prisoners involved in activities to which this
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
detained in other facilities by virtue of statutes or commitment procedures which provide alternatives to criminal prosecution or
incarceration in a penal institution, and individuals detained pending arraignment, trial,
or sentencing.
(d) Minimal risk is the probability and magnitude 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
with the prison(s) involved, apart from their
membership on the Board.
(b) At least one member of the Board shall
be a prisoner, or a prisoner representative
with appropriate background and experience
to serve in that capacity, except that where a
particular research project is reviewed by
more than one Board only one Board need
satisfy this requirement.
[43 FR 53655, Nov. 16, 1978, as amended at 46 FR
8366, Jan. 26, 1981]

§46.305 Additional duties of the Institutional Review Boards where prisoners are involved.
(a) In addition to all other responsibilities
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 Secre-

12

45 CFR 46

tary, in such form and manner as the Secre- (b) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of
tary may require, that the duties of the
this section, biomedical or behavioral reBoard under this section have been fulfilled. search conducted or supported by DHHS
shall not involve prisoners as subjects.
§46.306 Permitted research involving
prisoners.
(a) Biomedical or behavioral research conducted or supported by DHHS may involve
prisoners as subjects only if:
(1) The institution responsible for the conduct of the research has certified to the
Secretary that the Institutional Review
Board has approved the research under
§46.305 of this subpart; and
(2) In the judgment of the Secretary the
proposed research involves solely the following:
(i) Study of the possible causes, effects,
and processes of incarceration, and of
criminal behavior, provided that the study
presents no more than minimal risk and
no more than inconvenience to the subjects;
(ii) Study of prisons as institutional structures or of prisoners as incarcerated persons, provided that the study presents no
more than minimal risk and no more than
inconvenience to the subjects;
(iii) Research on conditions particularly
affecting prisoners as a class (for example,
vaccine trials and other research on hepatitis which is much more prevalent in prisons than elsewhere; and research on social
and psychological problems such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and sexual assaults) provided that the study may proceed only after the Secretary has consulted
with appropriate experts including experts
in penology, medicine, and ethics, and
published notice, in the FEDERAL REGISTER, of his intent to approve such research; or

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

§46.401 To what do these regulations
apply?

ments or procedures involved in the research, under the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted.
(b) Assent means a child's affirmative agreement to participate in research. Mere failure
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.

(a) This subpart applies to all research involving children as subjects, conducted or
supported by the Department of Health and
§46.403 IRB duties.
Human Services.
(1) This includes research conducted by
Department employees, except that each
head of an Operating Division of the Department may adopt such nonsubstantive,
procedural modifications as may be appropriate from an administrative standpoint.

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.

(2) It also includes research conducted or
supported by the Department of Health
and Human Services outside the United
States, but in appropriate circumstances,
the Secretary may, under paragraph (i) of
§46.101 of subpart A, waive the applicability of some or all of the requirements of
these regulations for research of this type.

§46.404 Research not involving greater
than minimal risk.

(b) Exemptions at §46.101(b)(1) and (b)(3)
through (b)(6) are applicable to this subpart.
The exemption at §46.101(b)(2) regarding
educational tests is also applicable to this
subpart. However, the exemption at §46.101
(b)(2) for research involving survey or interview procedures or observations of public
behavior does not apply to research covered
by this subpart, except for research involv(iv) Research on practices, both innovative ing observation of public behavior when the
and accepted, which have the intent and
investigator(s) do not participate in the acreasonable probability of improving the
tivities being observed.
health or well-being of the subject. In
(c) The exceptions, additions, and provisions
cases in which those studies require the
for waiver as they appear in paragraphs (c)
assignment of prisoners in a manner conthrough (i) of §46.101 of subpart A are apsistent with protocols approved by the
plicable to this subpart.
IRB to control groups which may not
[48 FR 9818, Mar.8, 1983; 56 FR 28032, June 18, 1991;
benefit from the research, the study may
proceed only after the Secretary has con- 56 FR 29757, June 28, 1991.]
sulted with appropriate experts, including §46.402 Definitions.
experts in penology, medicine, and ethics, The definitions in §46.102 of subpart A shall
and published notice, in the FEDERAL
be applicable to this subpart as well. In addiREGISTER, of the intent to approve such tion, as used in this subpart:
research.
(a) Children are persons who have not attained the legal age for consent to treat-

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
§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
(d) Adequate provisions are made for soliciting assent of the children and permission of
their parents or guardians, as set forth in
§46.408.
§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.
HHS will conduct or fund research that the
IRB does not believe meets the requirements of §46.404, §46.405, or §46.406 only
if:
(a) the IRB finds that the research presents a
reasonable opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem affecting the health or welfare
of children; and
(b) the Secretary, after consultation with a
panel of experts in pertinent disciplines (for
example: science, medicine, education, ethics, law) and following opportunity for public review and comment, has determined
either:
(1) that the research in fact satisfies the conditions of §46.404, §46.405, or §46.406, as
applicable, or (2) the following:

13
(i) the research presents a reasonable opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem affecting the health or welfare of children;

reasonably available, or when only one parent has legal responsibility for the care and
custody of the child.

(c) In addition to the provisions for waiver
contained in §46.116 of subpart A, if the
IRB determines that a research protocol is
designed for conditions or for a subject
(iii) adequate provisions are made for solicitpopulation for which parental or guardian
ing the assent of children and the permission
permission is not a reasonable requirement
of their parents or guardians, as set forth in
to protect the subjects (for example, ne§46.408.
glected or abused children), it may waive the
§46.408 Requirements for permission by consent requirements in Subpart A of this
parents or guardians and for assent part and paragraph (b) of this section, proby children.
vided an appropriate mechanism for protecting the children who will participate as
(a) In addition to the determinations resubjects in the research is substituted, and
quired under other applicable sections of
provided further that the waiver is not inthis subpart, the IRB shall determine that
adequate provisions are made for soliciting consistent with federal, state, or local law.
the assent of the children, when in the judg- The choice of an appropriate mechanism
ment of the IRB the children are capable of would depend upon the nature and purpose
of the activities described in the protocol,
providing assent. In determining whether
the risk and anticipated benefit to the rechildren are capable of assenting, the IRB
search subjects, and their age, maturity,
shall take into account the ages, maturity,
status, and condition.
and psychological state of the children involved. This judgment may be made for all (d) Permission by parents or guardians shall
children to be involved in research under a be documented in accordance with and to
particular protocol, or for each child, as the the extent required by §46.117 of subpart A.
IRB deems appropriate. If the IRB deter(e) When the IRB determines that assent is
mines that the capability of some or all of
required, it shall also determine whether and
the children is so limited that they cannot
how assent must be documented.
reasonably be consulted or that the interven§46.409 Wards.
tion or procedure involved in the research
holds out a prospect of direct benefit that is (a) Children who are wards of the state or
important to the health or well-being of the any other agency, institution, or entity can
children and is available only in the context be included in research approved under
of the research, the assent of the children is §46.406 or §46.407 only if such research is:
not a necessary condition for proceeding
(1) Related to their status as wards; or
with the research. Even where the IRB determines that the subjects are capable of
(2) Conducted in schools, camps, hospiassenting, the IRB may still waive the assent
tals, institutions, or similar settings in
requirement under circumstances in which
which the majority of children involved as
consent may be waived in accord with
subjects are not wards.
§46.116 of Subpart A.
(b) If the research is approved under para(b) In addition to the determinations regraph (a) of this section, the IRB shall required under other applicable sections of
quire appointment of an advocate for each
this subpart, the IRB shall determine, in
child who is a ward, in addition to any other
accordance with and to the extent that con- individual acting on behalf of the child as
sent is required by §46.116 of Subpart A,
guardian or in loco parentis. One individual
that adequate provisions are made for solic- may serve as advocate for more than one
iting the permission of each child's parents
child. The advocate shall be an individual
or guardian. Where parental permission is to who has the background and experience to
be obtained, the IRB may find that the per- act in, and agrees to act in, the best interests
mission of one parent is sufficient for reof the child for the duration of the child's
search to be conducted under §46.404 or
participation in the research and who is not
§46.405. Where research is covered by
associated in any way (except in the role as
§§46.406 and 46.407 and permission is to be advocate or member of the IRB) with the
obtained from parents, both parents must
research, the investigator(s), or the guardian
give their permission unless one parent is
organization.
deceased, unknown, incompetent, or not
(ii) the research will be conducted in accordance with sound ethical principles;

14

Subpart E
Registration of Institutional Review Boards
Source: 74 FR 2399, January 15, 2009, unless otherwise
noted.

45 CFR 46
(f) The approximate number of full-time
equivalent positions devoted to the IRB's
administrative activities.
§46.503 When must an IRB be registered?

An IRB must be registered before it can be
designated under an assurance approved for
Each IRB that is designated by an institution federalwide use by OHRP under §46.103(a).
under an assurance of compliance approved IRB registration becomes effective when
for federalwide use by the Office for Human reviewed and accepted by OHRP.
Research Protections (OHRP) under
§46.103(a) and that reviews research involv- The registration will be effective for 3 years.
ing human subjects conducted or supported §46.504 How must an IRB be regisby the Department of Health and Human
tered?
Services (HHS) must be registered with
Each IRB must be registered electronically
HHS. An individual authorized to act on
behalf of the institution or organization op- through http://ohrp.cit.nih.gov/efile unless
erating the IRB must submit the registration an institution or organization lacks the ability to register its IRB(s) electronically. If an
information.
institution or organization lacks the ability to
§46.502 What information must be pro- register an IRB electronically, it must send
vided when registering an IRB?
its IRB registration information in writing to
OHRP.
The following information must be provided to HHS when registering an IRB:
§46.505 When must IRB registration
information be renewed or updated?
(a) The name, mailing address, and street
address (if different from the mailing ad(a) Each IRB must renew its registration
dress) of the institution or organization op- every 3 years.
erating the IRB(s); and the name, mailing
(b) The registration information for an IRB
address, phone number, facsimile number,
must be updated within 90 days after
and electronic mail address of the senior
officer or head official of that institution or changes occur regarding the contact person
organization who is responsible for oversee- who provided the IRB registration information or the IRB chairperson. The updated
ing activities performed by the IRB.
registration information must be submitted
(b) The name, mailing address, phone num- in accordance with §46.504.
ber, facsimile number, and electronic mail
address of the contact person providing the (c) Any renewal or update that is submitted
to, and accepted by, OHRP begins a new 3registration information.
year effective period.
(c) The name, if any, assigned to the IRB by
the institution or organization, and the IRB's (d) An institution's or organization's decision to disband a registered IRB which it is
mailing address, street address (if different
operating also must be reported to OHRP in
from the mailing address), phone number,
writing within 30 days after permanent cesfacsimile number, and electronic mail adsation of the IRB's review of HHSdress.
conducted or -supported research.
(d) The name, phone number, and electronic
mail address of the IRB chairperson.
§46.501 What IRBs must be registered?

(e)(1) The approximate numbers of:
(i) All active protocols; and
(ii) Active protocols conducted or supported by HHS.
(2) For purpose of this regulation, an
``active protocol'' is any protocol for
which the IRB conducted an initial review
or a continuing review at a convened
meeting or under an expedited review
procedure during the preceding twelve
months.