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###### Department of Agriculture

###### Food Safety and Inspection Service

          - [Docket No. FSIS-2012-0013]

# AGENCY:

Food Safety and Inspection Service, 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, 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:
      - 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.                    
      - 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.
      - 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                           ( print 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]

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P