[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24455-24456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9852]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2012-0013]


Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Laboratories)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a new 
information collection regarding laboratories that conduct testing 
associated with FSIS regulatory programs.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 25, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site 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, Docket 
Clerk, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, 
Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    <bullet> Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots 
Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2012-0013. 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, go 
to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street, Room 8-164, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday.
    For Additional Information: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250; (202) 720-0345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Laboratories.
    OMB Control Number: 0583-00xx.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the

[[Page 24456]]

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.). FSIS protects the 
public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, 
wholesome, not adulterated, and correctly labeled.
    FSIS is requesting the approval of two different forms to collect 
information for two distinct laboratory programs.
    FSIS will use the PEPRL-F-0008.04 form as a self-assessment audit 
checklist to collect information related to the quality assurance/
quality control procedures in place at in-plant and private 
laboratories participating in the Pasteurized Egg Product Recognized 
Laboratory (PEPRLab) program (9 CFR 590.580). FSIS will use the data 
collected in the desk audit of existing labs or the appraisal of a new 
applicant.
    Any non-Federal laboratory that is applying for the FSIS Accredited 
Laboratory program will need to complete an Application for FSIS 
Accredited Laboratory Program form (9 CFR 439). State or private 
laboratories need only submit the application once for entry into the 
program. FSIS will use the information collected by the form to help 
access the laboratory applying for admission to the FSIS Accredited 
Laboratory program.
    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 0.96 hours per year to complete a laboratory form.
    Respondents: Laboratories.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 24 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from John O'Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 6065, 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250; (202)720-0345.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology 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 both to FSIS, at the 
addresses provided above, and to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20253.
    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.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited 
bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require 
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, 
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 
202-720-2600 (voice and TTY).
    To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office 
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TTY). 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Federal 
Register_Notices/index.asp.
    FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register 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 constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS 
Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail 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/News_&_Events/Email_Subscription/.
    Options range from recalls to export information to regulations, 
directives and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions 
themselves, and have the option to password protect their accounts.

    Done at Washington, DC, on April 18, 2012.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-9852 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]
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