[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14114-14116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04597]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2023-0003]


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

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, 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 June 30, 2023.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 8, 2023.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides 
commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment 
field on the web page or to

[[Page 14115]]

attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
     Hand- or Courier-Delivered Submittals: Deliver to 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0003. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to https://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202) 205-0495 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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) 205-0495.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and 
Requests for Waivers.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2023.
    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 and 
packaged.
    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 June 30, 2023.
    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 notify the Agency by 
submitting documents describing the operation and purpose of the new 
technology or waiver request. The documents should 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. If use of the 
new technology will also require a waiver of any Agency regulation, the 
notice must identify the regulation and explain why a waiver would be 
appropriate (9 CFR 303.1(h), 381.3(b), and 590.10). If the new 
technology could affect FSIS regulations, product safety, inspection 
procedures, or the safety of inspection program personnel, the 
establishment or plant would need to submit a written protocol for an 
in-plant trial as part of a pre-use review. The submitter of a written 
protocol should provide data to the Agency throughout the duration of 
the in-plant trial.
    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) 205-
0495.
    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.

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In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service which provides 
automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and 
information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range 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.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights 
regulations and policies, USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff 
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering 
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service 
at (800) 877-8339.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a 
letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's 
name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the 
alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date 
of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or 
letter must be submitted to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: 
[email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023-04597 Filed 3-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P