21 U.S.C. § 379d — Automation of Food and Drug Administration

The record. According to the source credit, this section originates from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of June 25, 1938 (ch. 675), though the specific provision was not part of the original 1938 enactment. It was added as § 712 by Public Law 101-635, title IV, § 401, on November 28, 1990 (104 Stat. 4585). It was subsequently renumbered as § 711 by Public Law 102-571, title I, § 106(3), on October 29, 1992 (106 Stat. 4498). The source credit reflects one substantive addition and one renumbering, indicating limited amendment activity since enactment. Historical context. The 1990 enacting legislation, Public Law 101-635, is generally known as the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, an act commonly associated with strengthening FDA oversight of medical devices and related administrative processes. Provisions authorizing automation of agency activities, such as this section, are consistent with broader efforts during this era to modernize federal regulatory agencies and improve the efficiency of review processes. However, the record does not establish the specific legislative intent behind this particular provision, including why Congress chose to mandate automation in this form or what specific administrative concerns prompted its inclusion. Readers should treat any characterization of purpose beyond the general legislative context of the broader 1990 Act as informed inference rather than documented fact.