[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 81 (Thursday, April 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31714-31715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08887]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 81 / Thursday, April 25, 2024 / 
Notices  

[[Page 31714]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-ST-24-0017]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 
for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information 
collection ``Laboratory Approval and Testing Division.''

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 24, 2024 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice by using the electronic process available at https://www.regulations.gov/. All comments should reference the document number 
and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
comments submitted in response to this notice will be posted without 
change, including any personal information provided, at https://www.regulations.gov/ and will be included in the record and made 
available to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director (Kerry Smith), Laboratory 
Approval and Testing Division, Science & Technology Program, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 2912-S, Washington, DC 20250-0272; Phone: 
(202) 690-4089; or Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Agency: USDA, AMS.
    Title: Laboratory Approval and Testing Division.
    OMB Number: 0581-0251.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended 
(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), AMS' Laboratory Approval and Testing Division 
(LATD) provides laboratory testing and approval services to facilitate 
domestic and international marketing of food and agricultural 
commodities. The authority for implementing LATD programs appear in 
regulation 7 CFR part 91.
    AMS' Laboratory Approval Service (LAS) approves, or accredits, 
laboratories to perform testing services in support of domestic and 
international trade. At the request of industry, other Federal 
agencies, or foreign governments, AMS develops and administers 
laboratory approval programs (LAPs) to verify that the analysis of food 
and agricultural products meet country or customer-specified 
requirements. LAS ensures the testing of products marketed is conducted 
by qualified and approved laboratories. Laboratory approval program 
requirements include good laboratory, quality assurance and control 
practices; applicable domestic and international standards (such as 
ISO/IEC 17025); established methods and accepted equipment; and on-site 
audits. Laboratories voluntarily participate in LAPs and pay program 
fees.
    AMS' National Science Laboratories (NSL) provides chemical, 
microbiological, and bio-molecular lab analytical testing services to 
facilitate domestic and international marketing of food and 
agricultural commodities. NSL provides testing services for AMS 
commodity programs, other USDA agencies, Federal and State agencies, US 
Military, research institutions, and private sector food and 
agricultural industries. Applicants voluntarily submit samples for 
analytical testing and pay testing fees.
    The information collection outlines essential information needed 
about a customer/business for collecting payment for AMS services; 
evaluating laboratories for compliance to LAP requirements; and 
submitting samples for laboratory testing. Only authorized 
representatives of AMS have access to information provided on the 
forms.
    AMS needs to collect customer business information on form ST-1, 
Application for Service. The information includes business legal name, 
Federal Tax ID Number, mailing address, billing address, primary and 
accounts payable contact, and is used to establish an account and 
deliver communications for collection of service fees.
    AMS needs to collect information from customers for the application 
process and subsequent evaluations for continued participation for 
voluntary participation in a LAP. The greatest information collection 
burden is during the application process, a one-time event, which 
includes request for service and documented policies, procedures, and 
records as evidence of compliance to the LAP requirements. Once an 
applicant is approved into the program, the information collection 
burden decreases for a participant's continued participation which 
includes intent to continue participation, records as evidence of 
ongoing compliance in-between audits (e.g., surveillance), and 
documented policies, procedures, and records for audits. Occasionally, 
a participant's scope of approval is reduced, or the participant exits 
the program. When this happens information about the participant's 
request is collected. This information is essential to determine fees 
for service and evaluate the participant's ability to meet the LAP 
requirements.
    AMS needs to collect information about the sample and type of 
testing requested to conduct voluntary analytical laboratory testing. 
This information can be submitted by the applicant using their internal 
format or on form ST-2, National Science Laboratories Sample Submission 
Form or ST-3, National Science Laboratories Sample Submission Form--
Hemp. Such information includes applicant contact information; sample 
description; sample identifier/lot number, number of items; analyses 
requested; and inclusions needed on the analytical certificate/report 
of results.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.50 hours per response.

[[Page 31715]]

    Respondents: Food and Agricultural Businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3620.00.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 4059.00.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.12.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2023.70 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including 
completion of analyses related documentation; (3) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-08887 Filed 4-24-24; 8:45 am]
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