Proposed Rules Allow New Role for States in Mammography Regulation

ROCKVILLE, Md—The FDA has proposed rules that would enable it to authorize states to certify, inspect, and enforce quality standards at mammography facilities within their boarders. The rules would implement a provision of the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA) and significantly increase the role of the states in the process.

Under the new rules, accredited states (to date, Arkansas, California, Iowa, and Texas) would have the authority to issue, renew, suspend, and remove mammography facility certificates; conduct annual inspections and follow-up inspections; and implement and enforce the MQSA quality standards.