Third-Party Certification and Inspection Modernization Act of 2026

This bill, the Third-Party Certification and Inspection Modernization Act of 2026, expands the use of third-party food safety certifications for both foreign and domestic entities in the food supply chain. It broadens the purposes for which these certifications can be used, allowing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider them for analyzing risks and prioritizing inspections, in addition to existing uses for import eligibility and the voluntary qualified importer program. The bill also requires facilities to report if they hold a third-party food safety certification aligned with FDA regulations and mandates the establishment of a system for recognizing accreditation bodies for third-party auditors within two years.