Access ing Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Internet  Applications :  
                                              Level 2 eAuthentication for Foreign Governments  
 
To use FSIS internet -based applications that are important to facilitating trade  with the United States, foreign 
Central Competent Authority (CCA) officials must obtain a Level 2 eAuthentication account.  A Level 2 
eAuthentic ation account gives users the opportunity to register for specific roles (enroll ment ) in multiple 
FSIS applications, including the Foreign Country Log -in (FCL) for the Public Health Information System 
(PHIS) export component, and the Self-Reporting Tool  (SRT)  for the PHIS import (equivalence) component .  
To access the SRT or FCL  applications , CCA officials must obtain a Level 2 eAuthentication account and 
enroll for those applications in PHIS  (details can be found below) . 
 
Starting  June 29, 2018, t he FCL will allow  CCA officials  of countries included in the PHIS export component  
who have obtained Level 2 eAuthentication and enrolled in PHIS  to view copies of signed expor t certificates 
issued by FSIS in PHIS , as a di gital image .  FSIS has listed the first group of countries included in the PHIS 
export component on FSIS’  PHIS export component web page  at 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international -affairs/exporting -products/phis -export -
component .  CCA officials can use the FCL to ensure that digital certificate copies align with the original 
certification documents arriving at the country's port of entry.   
 
CCA officials who have obtained Level 2 eAuthentication and enrolled  in PHIS can also manage information 
in the country’s SRT, which is critical to obtaining and maintaining equivalence  for exporting eligible meat, 
poultry, or egg product s to the United States .  For more information on how to access and complete the  SRT 
in PHIS , please visit the Equivalence Resources  webpage on FSIS’ website  at 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international -affairs/Equivalence/equivalence -resources .   
 
To cre ate a Level 2 eAuthentication account , CCA officials  should  complete the following  steps : 
 
1) Register for a Level 2 account on USDA’s website  at 
https://iden titymanager.eems.usda.gov/registration/selfRegistrationForm.aspx?level=2 ; Complete 
required fields (User and Contact Information , User ID and Password);  
 
2) Receive a Level 2 email from USDA, and follow the instructions in the email to activate the Level 2 
account ; 
 
3) Identify and schedule a n in-person  meeting with  a Local Registration Authority (LRA) .  LRAs will 
confirm your identity in person by checking your approved government -issued photo ID (i.e. 
passport), and complete your Level 2 eAuthentication accou nt access.   FAS Foreign Service Officers 
(FSO) are, or may become, LRAs .   FSIS personnel may also serve as LRAs when in country for  
official travel, such as an audit ; or CCA officials may complete the in -person credentialing process 
with an LRA when visi ting the United States.   To identify an LRA, contact the nearest U.S. embassy 
at which FAS FSOs are present (see FAS Overseas Director y at https://www.fas.usda.gov/fas -
overseas -office -contact -directory ), or contact FSIS at InternationalCoordination@fsis.usda.gov .   
 
PHIS Enrollment : After obtaining a Level 2 eAuthentication accoun t, CCA officials are to register  for specific 
roles in PHIS (enrollment).   To enroll for the SRT, please follow the Steps to Obtain Level 2 eAuthentication 
Credentials and PHIS Access  guidance  on FSIS’ website  at 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/d3a351a1 -cb41-47d0 -bf32-7da4260661ed/eAuth -
Credentials -PHIS -Access.pdf?MOD= AJPERES .  For the FCL, FSIS will provide further PHIS enrollment 
instructions closer  to June 29, 2018.   In the meantime, FSIS encourages CCAs to pursue Level 2 
eAuthentication.  CCA officials with questions about this process should contact FSIS at 
InternationalCoordination@fsis.usda.gov .