Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers

Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers

DATES:

Submit comments on or before May 19, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers.

OMB Number: 0583-0127.

Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.

Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18 and 2.53), as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq. ), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq. ), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq. ). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.

FSIS is announcing its intention to request renewal of the approved information collection regarding the procedures for notifying the Agency about new technology and requests for waivers. There are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on July 31, 2026.

FSIS has procedures for official meat, poultry, and egg products establishments to request temporary waivers from regulatory requirements in the event of a public health emergency or to permit experimentation (see 9 CFR 303.1 (h), 381.3 (b), and 590.10). FSIS also has procedures for official establishments and companies that manufacture and sell technology to official establishments, to notify the Agency of any new technology intended for use in official establishments, so that the Agency has an opportunity to decide whether the new technology requires a pre-use review. (68 FR 6873). To follow the procedures, official establishments and firms that manufacture and sell technology to official establishments must notify the Agency by submitting documents describing the operation and purpose of the new technology or, in the case of a waiver, the specific regulatory requirement for which the waiver is requested.

The submission must explain why the new technology or waiver request will not (1) adversely affect the safety of the product, (2) jeopardize the safety of Federal inspection personnel, or (3) interfere with inspection procedures. These requirements apply to both new technology notifications and waiver requests. For waivers, the submission must identify the regulation and provide justification for why a waiver and alternative procedures are appropriate (9 CFR 303.1(h), 381.3(b), and 590.10). If the Agency needs data to perform a more informed review of the new technology, an in-plant trial may be necessary. If an in-plant trial is necessary, FSIS will request that the firm submit a protocol that is designed to collect relevant data to support the use of the new technology.

FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information collection assessment:

Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an average of 8 hours to complete a notification of intent to use new technology if no in-plant trial is necessary. If an in-plant trial is necessary, FSIS estimates that it will take an average of 80 hours to develop a protocol and an average of 80 additional hours to collect data and keep records during the in-plant trial. FSIS estimates it will take respondents an average of 120 hours to collect data and conduct recordkeeping under a waiver.

Respondents: Official meat and poultry establishments and egg product plants; firms that manufacture or sell technology to official establishments and plants.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 75 respondents will submit notifications of intent to use new technology. 50 respondents will develop a protocol for and conduct an in-plant trial. 50 respondents will collect data and conduct recordkeeping for the duration of the in-plant trial. 35 respondents will collect data and conduct recordkeeping under the waiver.

Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,800 hours. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; 202-720-5046.

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the method and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20253.

Additional Public Notification

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.

FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register publication through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service that provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. The available information ranges from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their accounts.

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