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PROPOSED RULECOMMENTS CLOSED OCTOBER 2, 2026

Modification of Certain Terminology in Title 21; Reopening of the Comment Period

Health and Human Services Department / Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is reopening the comment period for the proposed rule that appeared in the Federal Register of May 6, 2026, to modify certain terminology in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to comply with Executive Order (E.O.) 14168, "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," issued on January 20, 2025. Specifically, this proposed rule, if finalized, will remove the term "gender" wherever it appears and either replace it with the term "sex," or delete reference to gender, as applicable, along with other editorial changes to improve readability. The Agency is taking this action to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.

Published August 3, 2026Document 2026-15671

What happens next

The comment period closed on October 2, 2026. The agency now reviews the comments. If it goes ahead, it publishes a final rule in the Federal Register that responds to significant comments. We link it here when it appears. See what is open for comment now.

From the Federal Register as of November 3, 2026. Deadlines can change; the official document governs. Not legal advice.

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