[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 2, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12122-12127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03609]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 307, 350, 352, 354, 362, 381, 533, 590, and 592

[Docket No. FSIS-2020-0019]
RIN 0583-AD86


Internet Access at Official Establishments and Plants

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to 
amend its regulations to require official meat and poultry 
establishments and egg products plants and businesses receiving 
voluntary inspection services from FSIS that have an internet 
connection to provide FSIS access to it for the purposes of conducting 
and recording inspection verification activities. FSIS views internet 
service as a necessary utility, like lighting, heating, and laundry 
services, that should be provided by establishments as a regulatory 
condition of receiving inspection. Under this proposal, FSIS would not 
require establishments without internet access to purchase it or to 
upgrade the internet services they have, if inadequate for FSIS use.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 3, 2021.

ADDRESSES:  FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on the 
proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by one of the following 
methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
    <bullet> Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    <bullet> 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-2020-0019. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202) 720-5627 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone: 
(202) 720-0399.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of 
the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 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, unadulterated, and properly labeled and 
packaged. In

[[Page 12123]]

addition to mandatory inspection, the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA), 
7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624, provides for inspection services to accommodate 
business needs, such as obtaining certifications necessary to meet 
requirements of importing countries or the inspection of nonamenable 
products (voluntary reimbursable services). This includes the voluntary 
service activities related to export certification (9 CFR part 350), 
voluntary inspection of exotic animals (e.g., antelope, bison) (9 CFR 
part 352), voluntary inspection of rabbits (9 CFR part 354), voluntary 
poultry inspection (9 CFR part 362), and the voluntary inspection of 
egg products (9 CFR part 592).
    FSIS inspection program personnel (IPP) need to have efficient 
internet access to receive their scheduled inspection tasks and to 
record the results of the inspection tasks in the FSIS Public Health 
Information System (PHIS). PHIS is a web-based software application 
that integrates and streamlines all scheduling, assigning, tracking, 
and documentation for mission required FSIS food safety functions such 
as import management, export management, domestic production 
inspections, and risk analysis. FSIS employees, representatives of 
countries with whom the United States maintains an import and export 
relationship, and meat, poultry, and egg products establishments, which 
are subject to inspection, may all use PHIS. PHIS replaced several 
legacy client-server applications, multiple automated paper, and email-
based processes.
    For example, PHIS:
    <bullet> Contains the establishment profile data for both official 
and non-official establishments that is used not only by IPP to perform 
their verification activities but also by other FSIS program areas to 
schedule laboratory sampling, inform policy decisions, and allocate 
resources.
    <bullet> Contains slaughter totals and animal disposition 
information for amenable and exotic species, as entered by IPP. This 
data is used by FSIS and other USDA agencies (e.g., the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service) to inform policy decisions, track 
emerging disease trends, and allocate resources.
    <bullet> Contains inspection results and provides IPP the ability 
to issue non-compliance records to address regulatory violations at 
official and non-official establishments.
    <bullet> Allows IPP to request sampling supplies and receive 
laboratory sample results.
    <bullet> Provides for IPP review and approval of electronic import 
applications in the PHIS import management component, as well as 
electronic export applications for shipments destined to countries 
included in the PHIS export component.
    The regulations at 9 CFR 307.1, 381.36(a), and 533.3 require 
official meat, poultry, and Siluriformes fish establishments to provide 
FSIS IPP with office space, including necessary furnishings, light, 
heat, and janitor services, rent free, for their exclusive use for 
official purposes. These regulations state that, at the discretion of 
the Administrator, small establishments requiring less than one full-
time inspector need not furnish such facilities. The regulations at 
590.136(a) similarly state that egg products plants will furnish office 
space, including furnishings, light, heat, and janitor service, without 
cost, for the use of IPP for official purposes. These regulations also 
provide that, at the discretion of the Administrator, small plants 
requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need not 
furnish such accommodations.
    The United States bears the cost of providing mandatory inspection 
services to official establishments (21 U.S.C. 468, 695, 1053(a)), 
while establishments and other facilities receiving voluntary 
inspection services must pay for such services. FSIS regulations 
governing the voluntary inspection of rabbits and egg products (e.g., 
inspection of the processing in official plants of products containing 
eggs, sampling of products and quantity and condition inspection of 
products) require that facilities purchasing such inspection services 
provide office space and utilities for use by IPP. Specifically, the 
regulations at 9 CFR 354.221(g) require facilities receiving voluntary 
rabbit inspection to provide IPP with office space, including, but not 
limited to, light, heat, and janitor services, without cost to the 
Agency. And, the regulations at 9 CFR 592.95(b)require facilities 
receiving voluntary inspection of egg products to provide IPP with 
acceptable furnished office space and equipment, including, but not 
limited to, a desk, lockers, or cabinets.
    Establishments and other facilities that purchase other types of 
voluntary services under 9 CFR 350.7(a), 352.5(a), 362.5(a), including 
identification services, certification services, and voluntary 
inspection services may be charged to cover the cost of ``other 
expenses'' incurred by the Agency in connection with the furnishing of 
inspection. FSIS considers internet access to be an expense necessary 
for the provision of these voluntary inspection services.
    As such, because internet access is a utility or expense necessary 
for the provision of both mandatory and voluntary inspection services, 
FSIS is proposing to require that establishments receiving mandatory 
inspection or purchasing voluntary inspection services provide internet 
access to IPP, as a condition of receiving inspection, provided the 
establishment already has internet service adequate for FSIS needs. 
Again, FSIS would not require establishments or facilities without 
internet access to purchase it or to upgrade the internet services they 
have, if inadequate for FSIS use.

Proposed Rule

    FSIS is proposing to amend sections 9 CFR 307.1, 350.7(d), 
352.5(d), 354.221(g), 362.5(d), 381.36(a), 533.3, 590.136(a), and 
592.95(b) to require official meat, poultry, Siluriformes fish 
establishments and egg products plants, as well as facilities receiving 
voluntary services, including identification services, export 
certification, and voluntary exotic animal and poultry inspection, that 
have internet services, to provide FSIS IPP with internet access for 
the purposes of conducting and recording inspection verification 
activities. Consistent with the regulations providing that small 
establishments requiring less than one full-time inspector need not 
furnish FSIS with office space, lighting, heat, janitor services, and 
lockers, under this proposal, FSIS would not require establishments or 
facilities without internet access to purchase it or to upgrade the 
internet services they have, if inadequate for FSIS use.
    In addition, FSIS is proposing to update 9 CFR 307.1 and 381.36(a) 
to change the title of the FSIS approving officials to Frontline 
Supervisors because FSIS no longer uses the title Circuit Supervisors. 
FSIS also proposes to change the use of the word ``shall'' to ``must'' 
in 9 CFR 307.1 and 381.36(a).

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, 12988, and the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This proposed rule has been

[[Page 12124]]

designated as a ``non-significant'' regulatory action under section 
3(f) of E.O. 12866. Accordingly, the rule has not been reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.
    If this rule is finalized, FSIS does not expect any additional 
industry or Agency costs, because FSIS would not require establishments 
without internet access to purchase the services or to upgrade services 
that are not adequate for FSIS's use. FSIS would have cost savings by 
reducing the costs of providing internet access to FSIS IPP at 
establishments.

Expected Benefits of the Proposed Rule

    Internet connectivity benefits establishments and FSIS by 
facilitating FSIS verification activities. Internet access lets FSIS 
IPP more efficiently transmit or receive critical information (e.g., 
receiving information on test results, submitting data on establishment 
operations, updating establishment profile information, and 
facilitating global trade).
    FSIS would benefit through reduced payments for internet 
connection. FSIS spends on average $6.6 million \1\ annually providing 
IPP with various forms of internet connection, such as direct or 
wireless local area network (LAN), and wireless solutions at 
approximately 1,500 establishments as well as additional mobile 
wireless solutions for IPP on patrol assignments. Of the approximate 
6,500 active establishments, FSIS estimates that approximately 6,000 to 
6,300 establishments have email addresses,\2\ which we assume means 
that these establishments have internet connection. The Agency is 
seeking comment on the level of internet connectivity at establishments 
that currently maintain internet services. If the Agency is able to use 
internet provided by these establishments, it would result in an upper 
bound savings of $6.6 million annualized at the 7 percent discount rate 
over ten years.
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    \1\ This is the average cost calculated using the FSIS Office of 
Chief Information Officer estimates of annual expenditures on 
internet services: $6,272,000 in 2017, $6,755,000 in 2018, and 
$6,755,000 in 2019.
    \2\ The count of establishments, rounded to the nearest hundred, 
with email addresses was compiled from the Office of Public Affairs 
and Consumer Education on 5/15/2020. The count of active 
establishments includes approximately 1,100 eligible importer/
exporter establishments and approximately 2,000 establishments that 
have voluntary inspection eligibility. Data was downloaded from the 
FSIS Public Health Information System on 8/14/2020.
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Expected Costs of the Proposed Rule

    FSIS expects any cost associated with this proposed rule to be de 
minimis. Since most establishments have email addresses, FSIS expects 
most establishments to have internet connectivity adequate for FSIS 
needs. Such establishments would likely be able to provide internet 
service to FSIS without a significant burden or additional costs to do 
so. FSIS requests comments on the number and types of establishments or 
facilities receiving mandatory or purchasing voluntary inspection 
services that do not purchase internet services at all, do not purchase 
internet services adequate for FSIS needs, or could not provide IPP 
access to internet services without accruing significant costs, as well 
as any cost estimates for providing IPP with access to the 
establishment's existing internet services.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Assessment

    The FSIS Administrator has made a preliminary determination that 
this proposed rule, if finalized, would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities in the United States, 
as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601), because 
any costs associated with the rule would be de minimis. FSIS would only 
require small businesses to provide internet access to FSIS IPP if the 
business has internet service and it's adequate for FSIS's use by IPP.

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. Under this rule: (1) All State and local laws and 
regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted; (2) 
no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) no 
administrative proceedings will be required before parties may file 
suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    There are no new paperwork or recordkeeping requirements associated 
with this proposed rule under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Environmental Impact

    Each USDA agency is required to comply with 7 CFR part 1b of the 
Departmental regulations, which supplements the National Environmental 
Policy Act regulations published by the Council on Environmental 
Quality. Under these regulations, actions of certain USDA agencies and 
agency units are categorically excluded from the preparation of an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) unless the agency head determines that a particular action may 
have a significant environmental effect (7 CFR 1b.4(a)). FSIS is among 
the agencies categorically excluded from the preparation of an EA or 
EIS (7 CFR 1b.4(b)(6)).
    FSIS has determined that this proposed rule would not create any 
extraordinary circumstances that would result in this normally excluded 
action having a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, 
this action is appropriately subject to the categorical exclusion for 
FSIS programs and activities under 7 CFR 1b.4.

E-Government Act

    FSIS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to 
achieving the purposes of the E-Government Act (44 U.S.C. 3601, et 
seq.) by, among other things, promoting the use of the internet and 
other information technologies and providing increased opportunities 
for citizen access to Government information and services, and for 
other purposes.

Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act at 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that 
this proposed rule is not a ``major rule,'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

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: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS also will make copies of this publication available 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 is able to provide information to a much 
broader, more diverse audience. 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: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to 
export information,

[[Page 12125]]

regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete 
subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their 
accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442.
    Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c9b9bba6aebba8a4e7a0a7bda8a2ac89bcbaada8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2050524f4752414d0e494e54414b4560555344410e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

List of Subjects

9 CFR Part 307

    Government employees, Meat inspection.

9 CFR Part 350

    Meat inspection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

9 CFR Part 352

    Food labeling, Meat inspection, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

9 CFR Part 354

    Administrative practice and procedure, Animal diseases, Food 
labeling, Meat inspection, Rabbits and rabbit products, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Signs and symbols.

9 CFR Part 362

    Meat inspection, Poultry and poultry products, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

9 CFR Part 381

    Administrative practice and procedure, Animal diseases, Crime, 
Exports, Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Food packaging, 
Government employees, Grant programs--agriculture, Imports, 
Intergovernmental relations, Laboratories, Meat inspection, Nutrition, 
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), Poultry and poultry products, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seizures and forfeitures, 
Signs and symbols, Technical assistance, Transportation.

9 CFR Part 533

    Fish, Food grades and standards, Government employees, Public 
health, Seafood.

9 CFR Part 590

    Eggs and egg products, Exports, Food grades and standards, Food 
labeling, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

9 CFR Part 592

    Eggs and egg products, Exports, Food grades and standards, Food 
labeling, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, FSIS is proposing to amend 
9 CFR Chapter III as follows:

PART 307--FACILITIES FOR INSPECTION

0
1. The authority citation for part 307 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 394, 21 U.S.C. 601-695; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.55.

0
2. Revise Sec.  307.1 to read as follows:


Sec.  307.1   Facilities for Program employees.

    Office space, including necessary furnishings, light, internet 
access, heat, and janitor service, must be provided by official 
establishments, rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes 
of the inspector and other Program employees assigned thereto. The 
space set aside for this purpose must meet with approval of the 
Frontline Supervisors and must be conveniently located, properly 
ventilated and provided with lockers suitable for the protection and 
storage of Program supplies and with facilities suitable for Program 
employees to change clothing if such clothes changing facilities are 
deemed necessary by FSIS. At the discretion of the Administrator, small 
plants requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need 
not furnish facilities as prescribed in this section, where adequate 
facilities exist in a nearby convenient location. Laundry service for 
inspectors' outer work clothing must be provided by each establishment. 
Establishments that lack internet services are not required to purchase 
internet services for use by FSIS and establishments with internet 
services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to upgrade such 
services.

PART 350--SPECIAL SERVICES RELATING TO MEAT AND OTHER PRODUCTS

0
3. The authority citation for part 350 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.55.

0
4. In Sec.  350.7, revise the section heading and add paragraph (h) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  350.7   Fees, charges, and Internet access.

* * * * *
    (h) Internet access must be provided by the applicant for service, 
rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes of the inspector 
and other Program employees assigned thereto. Applicants that lack 
internet services are not required to purchase internet services for 
use by FSIS and applicants with internet services inadequate for use by 
FSIS are not required to upgrade such services.

PART 352--EXOTIC ANIMALS AND HORSES; VOLUNTARY INSPECTION

0
5. The authority citation for part 352 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; 7 CFR 2.17(g) and (i), 2.55.

0
6. In Sec.  352.5, revise the section heading and add paragraph (f) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  352.5   Fees, charges and Internet access.

* * * * *
    (f) Internet access must be provided by the applicant for service, 
rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes of the inspector 
and other Program employees assigned thereto. Applicants that lack 
internet services are not required to purchase internet services for 
use by FSIS and applicants with internet services inadequate for use by 
FSIS are not required to upgrade such services.

[[Page 12126]]

PART 354--VOLUNTARY INSPECTION OF RABBITS AND EDIBLE PRODUCTS 
THEREOF

0
7. The authority citation for part 354 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; 7 CFR 2.17(g) and (i), 2.55.

0
8. Revise Sec.  354.221(g) to read as follows:


Sec.  354.221   Rooms and compartments.

* * * * *
    (g) Inspector's office. Furnished office space, including, but not 
being limited to, light, heat, internet access, and janitor service 
shall be provided rent free in the official plant for the exclusive use 
for official purposes of the inspector and the Administration. The room 
or rooms set apart for this purpose must meet with the approval of the 
Frontline Supervisor and be conveniently located, properly ventilated, 
and provided with lockers or cabinets suitable for the protection and 
storage of supplies and with facilities suitable for inspectors to 
change clothing. Facilities that lack internet services are not 
required to purchase internet services for use by FSIS, and facilities 
with internet services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to 
upgrade such services.

PART 362--VOLUNTARY POULTRY INSPECTION REGULATIONS

0
9. The authority citation for part 362 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 CFR 2.18(g) and (i), 2.53.

0
10. In Sec.  362.5, revise the section heading and add paragraph (h) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  362.5   Fees, charges, and Internet access.

* * * * *
    (h) Internet access must be provided by the applicant for service, 
rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes of the inspector 
and other Program employees assigned thereto. Applicants that lack 
internet services are not required to purchase internet services for 
use by FSIS and applicants with internet services inadequate for use by 
FSIS are not required to upgrade such services.

PART 381--POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS

0
11. The authority citation for part 381 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1633, 1901-1906; 21 U.S.C. 451-472; 7 CFR 
2.18, 2.53.

0
12. Revise Sec.  381.36(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  381.36   Facilities required.

    (a) Inspector's Office. Office space, including, but not being 
limited to furnishings, light, internet access, heat, and janitor 
service, must be provided rent free in the official establishment, for 
the use of Government personnel for official purposes. The room or 
space set apart for this purpose must meet the approval of Frontline 
Supervisors and be conveniently located, properly ventilated, and 
provided with lockers or file cabinets suitable for the protection and 
storage of supplies and with facilities suitable for inspectors to 
change clothing. At the discretion of the Administrator, small plants 
requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need not 
furnish facilities as prescribed in this section, where adequate 
facilities exist in a nearby convenient location. Each official 
establishment must provide commercial laundry service for inspectors' 
outer work clothing, or disposable outer work garments designed for 
one-time use, or uniform rental service garments which are laundered by 
the rental service. Establishments that lack internet services are not 
required to purchase internet services for use by FSIS and 
establishments with internet services inadequate for use by FSIS are 
not required to upgrade such services.
* * * * *

PART 533--SEPARATION OF ESTABLISHMENT; FACILITIES FOR INSPECTION; 
FACILITIES FOR PROGRAM EMPLOYEES; OTHER REQUIRED FACILITIES

0
13. The authority citation for part 533 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 601-602, 606-622, 624-695; 7 CFR 2.7, 
2.18, 2.53.

0
14. Revise Sec.  533.3 to read as follows:


Sec.  533.3   Facilities for Program employees.

    Office space, including necessary furnishings, light, internet 
access, heat, and janitor service, must be provided by official 
establishments, rent free, for the exclusive use for official purposes 
of the inspector and other Program employees assigned thereto. The 
space set aside for this purpose shall meet with approval of the 
District Manager or the frontline supervisor and must be conveniently 
located, properly ventilated, and provided with lockers suitable for 
the protection and storage of Program supplies and with facilities 
suitable for Program employees to change clothing if such facilities 
are deemed necessary by the frontline supervisor. At the discretion of 
the Administrator, small establishments requiring the services of less 
than one full-time inspector need not furnish facilities for Program 
employees as prescribed in this section, where adequate facilities 
exist in a nearby convenient location. Laundry service for inspectors' 
outer work clothing must be provided by each establishment. 
Establishments that lack internet services are not required to purchase 
internet services for use by FSIS and establishments with internet 
services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to upgrade such 
services.

PART 590--INSPECTION OF EGGS AND EGG PRODUCTS (EGG PRODUCTS 
INSPECTION ACT)

0
15. The authority citation for part 590 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 1031-1056; 7 CFR 2.18, 2.53.

0
16. Revise Sec.  590.136(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  590.136   Accommodations and equipment to be furnished by 
facilities for use of inspection program personnel in performing 
service.

    (a) Inspection program personnel office. Office space, including, 
but not limited to, furnishings, light, heat, internet access, and 
janitor service, will be provided without cost in the official plant 
for the use of inspection program personnel for official purposes. The 
room or space set apart for this purpose must meet the approval of the 
Food Safety and Inspection Service and be conveniently located, 
properly ventilated, and provided with lockers or file cabinets 
suitable for the protection and storage of supplies and with 
accommodations suitable for inspection program personnel to change 
clothing. At the discretion of the Administrator, small official plants 
requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need not 
furnish accommodations for inspection program personnel as prescribed 
in this section where adequate accommodations exist in a nearby 
convenient location. Plants that lack internet services are not 
required to purchase internet services for use by FSIS, and plants with 
internet services inadequate for use by FSIS are not required to 
upgrade such services.
* * * * *

PART 592--VOLUNTARY INSPECTION OF EGG PRODUCTS

0
17. The authority citation for part 592 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.


[[Page 12127]]


0
18. Revise Sec.  592.95(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  592.95   Facilities and equipment to be furnished for use of 
inspection program personnel in performing service.

* * * * *
    (b) Acceptable furnished office space and equipment, including but 
not being limited to, internet access, a desk, lockers or cabinets 
(equipped with a satisfactory locking device) suitable for the 
protection and storage of supplies, and with facilities for inspection 
program personnel to change clothing. Facilities that lack internet 
services are not required to purchase internet services for use by 
FSIS, and facilities with internet services inadequate for use by FSIS 
are not required to upgrade such services.

    Done at Washington, DC.
Theresa Nintemann,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-03609 Filed 3-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P


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