THE COMMON RULE: 38 CFR PART 16--PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 38 U.S.C. 501, 7331, 7334; 42 U.S.C. 300v-1(b). Source: 56 FR 28012, 28021, June 18, 1991, unless otherwise noted.

	Sec. 16.101 To what does this policy apply?
16.101(a) Applies to all federally supported or regulated human research	(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.
16.101 (a)(1) When research is conducted or supported by federal agency or department	(1) Research that is conducted or supported by a federal department or agency, whether or not it is regulated as defined in Sec. 16.102(e), must comply with all sections of this policy.
16.101(a)(2) When research is specifically regulated by federal agency or department	(2) Research that is neither conducted nor supported by a federal department or agency but is subject to regulation as defined in Sec. 16.102(e) must be reviewed and approved, in compliance with Secs. 16.101, 16.102, and Secs. 16.107 through 16.117 of this policy, by an institutional review board (IRB) that operates in accordance with the pertinent requirements of this policy.
16.101 (b) Categories of exempted research	(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:
16.101(b)(1) Exemption for educational research	(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.
16.101(b)(2) Exemption for educational tests, surveys, interviews, observations	(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 a 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.
16.101(b)(3) Exemption for educational tests, surveys, interviews, observations of public officials or when identity is protected by law	(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.
16.101(b)(4) Exemption for research on existing data, unlinked to subjects	(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.
16.101(b)(5) Exemption for research on public benefit programs	(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.
16.101(b)(6) Exemption for research on taste and food quality	(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.
16.101(c) Agency head may make final judgment on exemption	(c) Department or agency heads retain final judgment as to whether a particular activity is covered by this policy.
16.101(d) Agency heads may require that additional research be governed 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.
16.101(e) Additional federal laws also apply	(e) Compliance with this policy requires compliance with pertinent federal laws or regulations which provide additional protections for human subjects.
16.101(f) Additional state or local laws may also apply	(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.
16.101(g) Additional foreign laws may also apply	(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.
16.101(h) Department or agency head decides if procedures of foreign institutions may be substituted if protections are equivalent to these	(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.
16.101(i) Department or agency head may waive provisions of this policy	(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 Protection from Research Risks, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and shall also publish them in the Federal Register or in such other manner as provided in department or agency procedures.\1\
16.101(i) Footnote: Institutions with assurances must abide by 45CFR46 subparts A-D. Subparts B-D contain exceptions to exemptions.	\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, fetuses, pregnant women, or human in vitro fertilization, subparts B and 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. [56 FR 28012, 28021, June 18, 1991; 56 FR 29756, June 28, 1991]

	Sec. 16.102 Definitions.
16.102(a) Department or agency head	(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.
16.102(b) Institution	(b) Institution means any public or private entity or agency (including federal, state, and other agencies).
16.102(c) Legally authorized representative	(c) Legally authorized representative means an individual or judicial or other body authorized under applicable law to consent on behalf of a prospective subject to the subject's participation in the procedure(s) involved in the research.
16.102(d) Research	(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.
16.102(e) Research subject to regulation	(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).
16.102(f) Human Subject Intervention Interaction Private Information	(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 interpersonal contact between investigator and subject. ``Private information'' includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place, and information which has been provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the individual can reasonably expect will not be made public (for example, a medical record). Private information must be individually identifiable (i.e., the identity of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with the information) in order for obtaining the information to constitute research involving human subjects.
16.102(g) IRB	(g) IRB means an institutional review board established in accord with and for the purposes expressed in this policy.
16.102(h) IRB approval	(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.
16.102(i) Minimal risk	(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.
16.102(j) Certification	(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.

	Sec. 16.103 Assuring compliance with this policy--research conducted or supported by any Federal Department or Agency.
16.103(a) Institutions must provide written assurance when engaged in covered research	(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 Protection from Research Risks, HHS, and approved for federalwide use by that office. When the existence of an HHS-approved 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 Protection from Research Risks, HHS.
16.103(b) Departments must get assurance and certification to support covered research. Assurance must include:	(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:
16.103(b)(1) Statement of principles	(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 Sec. 16.101 (b) or (i).
16.103(b)(2) Designation of IRB	(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.
16.103(b)(3) IRB membership	(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 Sec. 16.103(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 Protection from Research Risks, HHS.
16.103(b)(4) Written procedures to be followed for initial & continuing review, determining term of approval, procedures for changes in research activity	(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.
16.103(b)(5) Written procedures for reporting problems, suspensions, terminations	(5) Written procedures for ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB, appropriate institutional officials, and the department or agency head of (i) any unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects or others or any serious or continuing noncompliance with this policy or the requirements or determinations of the IRB and (ii) any suspension or termination of IRB approval.
16.103(c) Assurance to be executed by authorized official	(c) The assurance shall be executed by an 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.
16.103(d) Department or agency head will evaluate assurances	(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 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.
16.103(e) Department or agency head may approve, disapprove or negotiate assurance and limit term of approval	(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.
16.103(f) Covered research must be certified by an IRB before receiving federal support	(f) Certification is required when the research is supported by a federal department or agency and not otherwise exempted or waived under Sec. 16.101 (b) or (i). An institution with an approved assurance shall certify that each application or proposal for research covered by the assurance and by Sec. 16.103 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 Sec. 16.103 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 within 30 days after receipt of a request for such a certification from the department or agency, that the application or proposal has been approved by the IRB. If the certification is not submitted within these time limits, the application or proposal may be returned to the institution. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 9999-0020) [56 FR 28012, 28021, June 18, 1991; 56 FR 29756, June 28, 1991]
Secs. 16.104-16.106 [Reserved]

	Sec. 16.107 IRB membership.
16.107(a) Each IRB must have at least 5 members with appropriate expertise and from diverse groups	(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.
16.107(b) Both genders and a variety of professions should be included	(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.
16.107(c) Scientific and non-scientific members	(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
16.107(d) Unaffiliated member	(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.
16.107(e) Members with conflicts of interest may not participate in review	(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.
16.107(f) Expert consultants may be used	(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.

		Sec. 16.108 IRB functions and operations.
16.108(a) IRBs must follow written procedures		In order to fulfill the requirements of this policy each IRB shall: (a) Follow written procedures in the same detail as described in Sec. 16.103(b)(4) and, to the extent required by, Sec. 16.103(b)(5).
16.108(b) Non-expedited reviews must take place at convened meeting with quorum present (majority, including non-scientific member)		(b) Except when an expedited review procedure is used (see Sec. 16.110), 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.

		Sec. 16.109 IRB review of research.
16.109(a) IRB authority		(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.
16.109(b) IRB requires appropriate informed consent		(b) An IRB shall require that information given to subjects as part of informed consent is in accordance with Sec. 16.116. The IRB may require that information, in addition to that specifically mentioned in Sec. 16.116, be given to the subjects when in the IRB's judgment the information would meaningfully add to the protection of the rights and welfare of subjects.
16.109(c) IRB may require or waive documentation of consent		(c) An IRB shall require documentation of informed consent or may waive documentation in accordance with Sec. 16.117.
16.109(d) Notification of IRB decisions		(d) An IRB shall notify investigators and the institution in writing of its decision to approve or disapprove the proposed research activity, or of modifications required to secure IRB approval of the research activity. If the IRB decides to disapprove a research activity, it shall include in its written notification a statement of the reasons for its decision and give the investigator an opportunity to respond in person or in writing.
16.109(e) Continuing review		(e) An IRB shall conduct continuing review of research covered by this policy at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk, but not less than once per year, and shall have authority to observe or have a third party observe the consent process and the research. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 9999-0020)

		Sec. 16.110 Expedited review procedures for certain kinds of research involving no more than minimal risk, and for minor changes in approved research.
16.110(a) Some categories of research may be reviewed by expedited review		(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 Protection from Research Risks, National Institutes of Health, HHS, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
16.110(b) IRB may use expedited review for:		(b) An IRB may use the expedited review procedure to review either or both of the following:
16.110(b)(1) Research is minimal risk and appears on the list		(1) Some or all of the research appearing on the list and found by the reviewer(s) to involve no more than minimal risk,
16.110(b)(2) Minor changes in approved research		(2) Minor changes in previously approved research during the period (of one year or less) for which approval is authorized.
16.110(b) Expedited review procedure		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 non-expedited procedure set forth in Sec. 16.108(b).
16.110(c) All IRB members must be advised of expedited approvals		(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.
16.110(d) Department or agency may restrict use of expedited review		(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.

		Sec. 16.111 Criteria for IRB approval of research.
16.111(a) For IRB approval the following must be determined:		(a) In order to approve research covered by this policy the IRB shall determine that all of the following requirements are satisfied:
16.111(a)(1) Risks are minimized		(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.
16.111(a)(2) Risk/benefit balance is reasonable		(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.
16.111(a)(3) Subject selection is equitable		(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.
16.111(a)(4) Appropriate informed consent will be sought		(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 Sec. 16.116.
16.111(a)(5) Informed consent will be appropriately documented		(5) Informed consent will be appropriately documented, in accordance with, and to the extent required by Sec. 16.117.
16.111(a)(6) Safety will be appropriately monitored		(6) When appropriate, the research plan makes adequate provision for monitoring the data collected to ensure the safety of subjects.
16.111(a)(7) Privacy and confidentiality will be protected		(7) When appropriate, there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of data.
16.111(b) Additional safeguards included for vulnerable subjects		(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.

		Sec. 16.112 Review by institution.
16.112 Institution may not approve research without IRB approval		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.

		Sec. 16.113 Suspension or termination of IRB approval of research.
16.113 IRB has authority to suspend or terminate research with appropriate notifications		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 9999-0020)

		Sec. 16.114 Cooperative research.
16.114 Each institution is responsible to protect subjects, but may arrange for joint IRB review		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.

		Sec. 16.115 IRB records.
16.115(a) IRB activities must be documented & records maintained		(a) An institution, or when appropriate an IRB, shall prepare and maintain adequate documentation of IRB activities, including the following:
16.115(a)(1) Documents related to proposals		(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.
16.115(a)(2) IRB Minutes		(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.
16.115(a)(3) Continuing review		(3) Records of continuing review activities.
16.115(a)(4) Correspondence		(4) Copies of all correspondence between the IRB and the investigators.
16.115(a)(5) IRB Membership		(5) A list of IRB members in the same detail as described is Sec. 16.103(b)(3).
16.115(a)(6) IRB Procedures		(6) Written procedures for the IRB in the same detail as described in Secs. 16.103(b)(4) and 16.103(b)(5).
16.115(a)(7) Statements of significant new findings given to subjects		(7) Statements of significant new findings provided to subjects, as required by Sec. 16.116(b)(5).
16.115(b) Records to be retained for 3 years		(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 9999-0020)

		Sec. 16.116 General requirements for informed consent.
16.116 Unless explicitly waived, informed consent must be obtained before research participation. Consent must be free of coercion, in understandable language, not include exculpatory language		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.
16.116(a) Unless explicitly waived, consent must include these elements		(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:
16.116(a)(1) Explanation of research		(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;
16.116(a)(2) Description of risks		(2) A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject;
16.116(a)(3) Description of benefits		(3) A description of any benefits to the subject or to others which may reasonably be expected from the research;
16.116(a)(4) Alternative treatments		(4) A disclosure of appropriate alternative procedures or courses of treatment, if any, that might be advantageous to the subject;
16.116(a)(5) How confidential records will be maintained		(5) A statement describing the extent, if any, to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject will be maintained;
16.116(a)(6) Compensation for injury (research involving more than minimal risk)		(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;
16.116 (a)(7) Whom to contact		(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
16.116(a)(8) No penalty for refusal to participate		(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.
16.116(b) Additional elements may be required		(b) Additional elements of informed consent. When appropriate, one or more of the following elements of information shall also be provided to each subject:
16.116(b)(1) Unforeseeable risks		(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;
16.116(b)(2) When investigator may terminate participation		(2) Anticipated circumstances under which the subject's participation may be terminated by the investigator without regard to the subject's consent;
16.116(b)(3) Additional costs		(3) Any additional costs to the subject that may result from participation in the research;
16.116(b)(4) Consequences of withdrawal		(4) The consequences of a subject's decision to withdraw from the research and procedures for orderly termination of participation by the subject;
16.116(b)(5) New findings will be provided		(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
16.116(b)(6) Number of subjects in study		(6) The approximate number of subjects involved in the study.
16.116(c) Public benefit research waiver: IRB may waive or alter some or all elements, for		(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:
16.116(c)(1) Research on public service programs, which		(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 of 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
16.116(c)(2) cannot be carried out without a waiver or alteration		(2) The research could not practicably be carried out without the waiver or alteration.
16.116(d) Minimal risk research waiver: IRB may waive or alter some or all elements, for research for which		(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:
16.116(d)(1) There is no more than minimal risk		(1)The research involves no more than minimal risk to the subjects;
16.116(d)(2) The waiver will not harm subjects’ rights and welfare		(2) The waiver or alteration will not adversely affect the rights and welfare of the subjects;
16.116(d)(3) Consent is not practicable		(3) The research could not practicably be carried out without the waiver or alteration; and
16.116(d)(4) Subjects will receive information later		(4) Whenever appropriate, the subjects will be provided with additional pertinent information after participation.
16.116(e) Other federal, state or local laws may apply		(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.
16.116(f) Physician’s authority to provide emergency medical care is not limited by this policy		(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 9999-0020)

		Sec. 16.117 Documentation of informed consent.
16.117(a) Consent must be documented unless explicitly waived. Subject signature required. Subject must receive a copy.		(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.
16.117(b) Documented consent may take two forms:		(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the consent form may be either of the following:
16.117(b)(1) Full written consent with all required elements		(1) A written consent document that embodies the elements of informed consent required by Sec. 16.116. 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
16.117(b)(2) Short form consent Requirement for witness, additional signatures and copies		(2) A short form written consent document stating that the elements of informed consent required by Sec. 16.116 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.
16.117(c) IRB may waive requirement for documentation if:		(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:
16.117(c)(1) Consent form is the only record with subject’s identity and this poses a risk		(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
16.117(c)(2) Research is minimal risk and involves procedures not normally requiring written consent		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 9999-0020)

		Sec. 16.118 Applications and proposals lacking definite plans for involvement of human subjects.
16.118 Deferred IRB approval is allowed if plans for use of human subjects are not definite. Funding may proceed but IRB approval is required before human subjects are used.		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 Sec. 16.101 (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.

		Sec. 16.119 Research undertaken without the intention of involving human subjects.
16.119 When use of human subjects was not originally planned IRB and agency approval are required before human subjects are used.		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.

		Sec. 16.120 Evaluation and disposition of applications and proposals for research to be conducted or supported by a Federal Department or Agency.
16.120(a) Department or agency head will evaluate protections for subjects in grant proposals		(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.
16.120(b) Department or agency head may reject or approve proposals on this basis		(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.
Sec. 16.121 [Reserved]

		Sec. 16.122 Use of Federal funds.
16.122 No federal funds may be expended for human research if these requirements have not been met		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.

		Sec. 16.123 Early termination of research support: Evaluation of applications and proposals.
16.123(a) Funding may be withdrawn if an institution has not complied with this policy		(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.
16.123(b) Funding decisions may be based on past history of compliance with 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).

		Sec. 16.124 Conditions.
16.124 Additional conditions may be imposed by an agency or department head to protect human subjects		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.