FSIS Notice: Renewal of Information Collection for New Technology and Waivers

Content

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

  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

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