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Routine Notice Amended Final

USDA Information Collection Renewal: New Technology and Waivers

Favicon for www.federalregister.gov FR: Agriculture Department
Published March 20th, 2026
Detected March 20th, 2026
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Summary

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has published a notice requesting the renewal of an approved information collection regarding procedures for the notification of new technology and requests for waivers. This notice is open for public comment for 60 days.

What changed

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking to renew an existing information collection concerning procedures for notifying the agency about new technologies and for requesting waivers. This action is a standard administrative process to continue an approved data collection requirement.

Regulated entities that utilize new technologies or seek waivers should be aware of this renewal process. While no new obligations are being introduced, the comment period is open until May 19, 2026, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the existing procedures. Failure to comply with information collection requirements can lead to regulatory scrutiny.

What to do next

  1. Review the notice regarding the renewal of the information collection on new technology and waiver procedures.
  2. Submit comments to the USDA by May 19, 2026, if feedback on the existing procedures is desired.

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Notice

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

A Notice by the Food Safety and Inspection Service on 03/20/2026

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  2. Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agencies Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service Agency/Docket Number Docket No. FSIS-2025-0343 Document Citation 91 FR 13567 Document Number 2026-05509 Document Type Notice Pages 13567-13568 (2 pages) Publication Date 03/20/2026 Published Content - Document Details

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Published Document: 2026-05509 (91 FR 13567) This document has been published in the Federal Register. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format.

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Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
  1. Docket No. FSIS-2025-0343 # AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 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 July 31, 2026.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before May 19, 2026.

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 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-2025-0343. 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) 286-2255 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; 202-720-5046.

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 ( printed page 13568) 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.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 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.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Justin Ransom,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 2026-05509 Filed 3-19-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P

Published Document: 2026-05509 (91 FR 13567)

Named provisions

Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers

Classification

Agency
Agriculture Department
Published
March 20th, 2026
Compliance deadline
May 19th, 2026 (60 days)
Instrument
Notice
Legal weight
Non-binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Minor
Document ID
91 FR 13567 / Docket No. FSIS-2025-0343

Who this affects

Industry sector
1111 Crop Production
Activity scope
New Technology Notification Waiver Requests
Geographic scope
United States US

Taxonomy

Primary area
Agriculture
Operational domain
Compliance
Topics
Information Collection Regulatory Compliance

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