Policies & Procedures - Emory IRB - Emory University

Emory University IRB P&Ps Revised 1/18/2013
POLICY:
6 NUMBER OF IRBS AND REGISTRATION
Emory University is committed to allocating sufficient resources, meeting space, and staff to
support IRB review, education, quality assurance, and recordkeeping duties. Further, Emory
University ensures that it designates and establishes sufficient numbers of IRB committees or
panels to conduct compliant review of research involving human subjects in a timely manner.
The Emory IRB holds an OHRP-approved Federalwide Assurance, FWA # 5792 and has registered
its IRB committees with OHRP. The Emory IRB is composed of three separate committees: one
social-humanist-behavioral (SHB) and two for biomedical research. Each of the two biomedical
committees has four (4) panels. The SHB committee and each biomedical panel meet monthly.
Thus, in each average month, eight (8) convened IRB meetings are held, unless a lack of quorum
or agenda items obviates the need for a convened meeting.
A Chair or Vice Chair presides at each biomedical panel and the SHB committee meetings. Each
committee or panel is referred to in these P&Ps as an “IRB Committee” and collectively they are
referred to as the “IRB Committees.”
In addition to the aforesaid internal IRB Committees, Emory University has an agreement with
the commercial IRB, Western Institutional Review Board (WIRB), per which the WIRB serves as
an IRB for Emory for the review of certain Human Subjects Research.
Prohibition of Use of Commercial IRB for VA-Sponsored Research: In accordance with VA
Regulations, however, neither the WIRB, nor any other commercial IRB, shall be used to review
any VA-supported Research.
Moreover, on occasion Emory will enter into an IRB Authorization Agreement with another
FWA-holding institution, by which Emory can rely on the other institution’s IRB. (See the P&P
entitled Emory IRB Relationships with Other Institutions; Reliance Arrangements for IRB Review.)
In such cases, the Emory FWA lists the reviewing institution’s IRB as one of its designated IRBs if
that institution’s IRB reviews federally supported research for Emory. (See below for
procedures for updating the Emory FWA.)
PROCEDURES:
Chair and Vice Chairs of IRB Committees: A single individual serves as the Chair of all of the IRB
Committees; however, with the IO’s approval ,two Co-Chairs may share this role and its
responsibilities. One or more individuals from each of the IRB Committees shall serve as Vice
Chairs, with one assigned to preside at each panel’s convened meetings. Unless otherwise
specifically indicated throughout these P&Ps, the term “Chair” shall refer to both the IRB Chair
or Co-Chairs, and to any Vice Chair, when the Vice Chair is acting for or on behalf of the Chair.
Appointments of Chairs and Vice Chairs of IRB Committees by the IO: The IO shall appoint the
IRB Chair and any Vice Chairs. The following specifications shall be followed with regard to
appointments:
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