1

Agency Retrospective Review Plan Report—January 2013—USDA

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control 

No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

USDA – Food Safety

Food Safety & 

Inspection 

Service (FSIS)

0583-

AD39

Electronic Import 

Inspection and 

Certification of 

Imported Products and 

Foreign Establishments

This rule will amend import 

inspection regulations to provide 

for the electronic transmittal of 

foreign establishment certificates 

and foreign inspection certificates. 

FSIS will also propose to amend its 

regulations to give importers the 

option of submitting electronic 

import inspection applications.

Final rule to publish 

by 7/2013.

The final rule, in conjunction with the Public Health 

Information System, will reduce the information 

collection burden on importers by approximately 

10,000 hours. 

The electronic import system will also facilitate the 

import product foreign inspection and annual 

foreign establishment certifications by providing 

immediate and direct electronic government-togovernment exchange of information; as well as 

exchange of information with to the CBP system.

The new business practice may be operational as 

early as March or April 2012, and the regulations 

will codify the changes.

Proposed rule published on 

November 27, 2012. 

FSIS 0583-

AD41

Electronic Export 

Application and 

Certification Fee

The electronic export application and 

certification system will be a 

component of the Agency's Public 

Health Information System (PHIS). 

The export component of PHIS will be 

available as an alternative to the 

paper-based application and 

certification process.

Final rule to publish 

by 6/2013.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden. Actual amount TBD. 

When an electronic government-to-government 

system interface or data exchange is used, 

fraudulent transactions’, such as false alterations 

and reproductions will be significantly reduced, if 

not eliminated. Moreover, the workload of the 

inspection personal is reduced through the 

elimination of physical handling and processing of 

applications and certificates, reducing a two step 

process to one step.

Proposed rule published on 

January 23, 2012. 
2

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control 

No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

FSIS 0583-

AC59

Prior Labeling Approval 

System: Generic Label 

Approval

This rulemaking will continue an 

effort initiated several years ago by 

amending FSIS' regulations to expand 

the types of labeling that are 

generically approved.

Final Rule expected 

to publish by 

5/2013 with a 

60-day 

implementation 

date.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden hours on industry by 31,091.

The proposed rule would be beneficial because it 

would streamline the generic labeling process, 

while imposing no additional cost burden on 

establishments. Consumers would benefit because 

industry would have the ability to introduce 

products to the marketplace more quickly. 

Moreover, the change would make better use of 

FSIS resources because it would reduce the number 

of labels required to be reviewed by the Agency.

Proposed rule published on 

December 5, 2011. The

electronic system for label 

submission was established in 

early 2012.

FSIS 0583-

AD32

Modernization of 

Poultry Slaughter 

inspection 

This rule will modernize young 

chicken and turkey slaughter 

inspection in the United States by 

focusing FSIS inspection resources on 

the areas of the poultry production 

system that pose the greatest risk to 

food safety. The new inspection 

system will shift the responsibility for 

detecting visible carcass defects from 

FSIS inspectors to plant employees. 

FSIS will continue to conduct an online carcass-by-carcass inspection, 

but FSIS inspectors will be located 

further down the production line, 

where they will be presented with 

carcasses that have fewer defects to 

inspect. 

Final rule to publish 

by 4/2013 with a 

90-day 

implementation 

period. Plants will 

be allowed to opt 

in earlier. 

The final rule will reduce costs by making better use 

of the Agency’s inspection resources and improving 

the effectiveness of inspection systems. It is also 

expected to reduce the risk of foodborne illness in 

the United States and remove unnecessary barriers 

to innovation. The final rule will provide the 

framework for action to provide public healthbased inspection in all establishments that 

slaughter amenable poultry species.

The final rule is in departmental 

clearance. 
3

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control 

No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

USDA – National Resources and Environment

Forest 

Service(FS)

0596-

AD01

National Environmental 

Policy Act Efficiencies

The Forest Service is proposing to 

develop and provide notice and 

comment on the addition of new 

categorical exclusions (CEs) to its 

NEPA Regulations. These CEs, 

designed to expedite landscape 

restoration activities on National 

Forests, Grasslands, and Prairies, will 

supplement existing Agency 

categorical exclusions found in 36 

CFR part 220.6.

Final Rule to 

publish by 3/2013. 

Categorical exclusions will reduce cost and time 

commitment burden on the Agency without 

reducing environmental protection.

The proposed rule published 

June 2012. The final rule is 

under development. 

USDA – Rural Development

Rural Business 

Services (RBS)

0570-

AA76

0570-

0050

0570-

0061

0570-

0059

Rural Energy America 

Program 

The rule proposes to change the RES 

and EEI grant application 

requirements to reduce burden and 

streamline the application process by 

requesting documentation for a 

complete application based on total 

project costs.

Final Rule to 

publish by 9/2013.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden. Notably, an estimated 20 

percent reduction in the number of hours it takes 

to complete a technical report for those 

applications for projects with total project costs 

(TPC) of more than $80,000 to $200,000; the 

elimination of a technical report for those 

applications for projects with TPC of $80,000 or 

less; and a 50 percent reduction in the number of 

hours it takes to complete the narrative portion of 

an application.

Proposed rule is currently under 

OMB review. The rule is 

expected to publish by February 

2013.

RBS 0570–

AA85

Business and Industry 

Loan Guaranteed 

Program

The proposed rule will alter the way 

RBS services the loan guarantees 

making the program operate at a 

lower cost.

Final rule to be 

published by

12/2013.

Estimated reduction in Burden up to 2,000 hours. Proposed rule is expected to 

publish May 2013.

Rural Housing 

Service

0575-

AC91

Community Facilities 

Loan and Grants

Update program operation in an 

effort to consolidate, streamline, and 

Final Rule to 

publish in 9/2013.

The agency is aligning its application requirements 

with the lending industry. As such, approximately 

Proposed rule is expected to 

publish May 2013.
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E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control 

No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

simplify existing processes. 90 applicants each year would not be required to 

provide an examination opinion, which averages 

about $45,000 each. Hence, this change will save 

the public approximately $4 million a year.

USDA – Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

Farm Service 

Agency and Risk 

Management 

Agency

0563-

0084

Acreage and Crop 

Reporting Streamlining 

Initiative

To improve and streamline the 

existing information collection 

activities currently approved by OMB 

by eliminating or minimizing the 

duplication of information collected 

by each of the agencies

Implementation is 

to be conducted in 

phases with the 

first phase 

occurring in 

selected counties in 

Kansas.

The final rule is expected to reduce the information 

collection burden. Actual amount TBD.

OMB cleared the information 

collection on March 23, 2012.

FSA & RMA are gearing up to 

start the first phase.

 

USDA – Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Animal Plant 

Health & 

Inspection 

Service (APHIS)

0579-

0007, 

0579-

0047, 

0579-

0070/013

7, 0579-

0101, 

0579-

0127, 

0579-

0137, 

0579-

0146, 

0579-

Certification, 

Accreditation, 

Registration, Permits, 

and other Licenses 

(CARPOL)

APHIS is creating a new electronic 

system to replace its ePermits system 

that will integrate 

programs/processes that are 

currently not electronic and/or part 

of a consolidated system. The 

CARPOL system will streamline all 

certification, accreditation, 

registration, permitting, and other 

license processes across APHIS and 

will communicate with other 

systems. 

The Target 

Completion Date is 

12/2014; however, 

this will be an 

ongoing initiative.

APHIS anticipates both savings in cost and 

information collection burdens for APHIS and the 

public. The affected publics would be State, Local, 

and Tribal Governments; Businesses and Other ForProfits (small entities included); Not-for-Profits; 

Farms; Individuals and Households; and Foreign 

Federal Governments.

The Assessment of business 

practices will be an ongoing 

initiative to incorporate 

certifications, accreditations and 

other license processes. The 

Target Completion Date for 

completion of the permitting 

phase of the Assessment of 

business practices is 12/2014. 
5

E.O 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

Agency/

Sub-agency

RIN/OMB 

Control 

No.

Title of 

Initiative/Rule/ICR

Brief Description Actual or Target 

Completion Date

Anticipated savings in costs and /or information 

collection burdens

Progress updates and 

anticipated accomplishments

0148, 

0579-

0185, 

0579-

0189,

0579-

0192, 

0579-

0324, 

0579-

0338, 

0579-

0367
6

EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency SubAgencyTitle Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

USDA FSIS Generic Label 

Approval

This initiative would streamline the generic labeling process 

for meat and poultry by expanding the types of labeling 

that are generically approved.

31,091 Cost savings of $8.7 

million over 10 years 

7/2013*

* Subject to change

USDA FNS Direct Certification 

for School Meals

Under the direct certification process, a local educational 

agency obtains documentation of a child’s receipt of SNAP 

benefits from the State or local program office. By 

eliminating the need for paper applications for many lowincome families, direct certification helps to substantially 

reduce paperwork burden and simplify program access for 

participants.

113,000 Not identified Already in effect.
7

EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency SubAgencyTitle Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

USDA APHIS Forms for 

Declaration 

Mandated by 2008 

Farm Bill

The Lacey Act amendments included in the 2008 Farm Bill 

require the declaration of imported plant and plant 

material. APHIS, in cooperation with other Federal entities, 

has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce the 

burden on importers. APHIS has been developing an 

electronic entry system and solicited public comment on a 

de minimis exemption for the declaration requirement. 

Electronic entry system (known as 

Lacey Act Web Governance System or 

LAWGS): Some time would be saved 

due to importers using templates of 

forms saved from previously 

submitted electronic entries, 

although data on this will not be 

available until after the pilot phase is 

completed; postage and filing fees 

would also be saved.

De minimis exemption: The de 

minimis exemption would provide 

saving after phase-in implementation 

is complete. The solicitation for 

comment indicated 2 percent, 5 

percent, and 10 percent of volume, 

weight, or value. If it is assumed that 

at least 2 percent of all declarations

currently received would not be 

received under de minimis, the 

savings would be 120,000 hours (12 

million anticipated under full 

implementation *0.02*0.5 hours per 

declarations) 

Electronic entry system: 

$1.7 million - $5.7 

million [57,600 entries 

(those currently 

received in paper 

format) * $30 to $100 

broker's fees]. The 

Government will incur 

cost of $750,000 to 

develop and implement 

the entry system.

De minimis exemption: 

The ANPRM proposed 

thresholds of 2 percent, 

5 percent, or 10 

percent. Assuming that 

at least 2 percent of the 

number of declarations 

that would otherwise be 

filed under full 

implementation are 

exempt, the cost savings 

would be $7.2 million 

(240,000 declarations * 

$30 in broker’s fees)

Electronic entry system: 

February 2013 to May 

2013 to initiate a pilot 

program.

De minimis exemption: As 

rulemaking is required, 

the initiative could not be 

implemented before 

2014. The de minimis 

exemption would not 

likely be implemented if 

the phase-in 

implementation did not 

progress.
8

EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency SubAgencyTitle Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

USDA FSA/FLP Streamlined Farm 

Loan Programs 

Direct Loan 

Making (OMB 

Control # 0560-

0237)

FSA’s Farm Loan Programs provide loans to family farmers 

to buy real estate and equipment, and finance agricultural 

production. FSA is adding a streamlined version of a 

current form (proposed FSA-2314) that will be used by 

some respondents. Repeat customers (borrowers) whose 

information has not changed will be able to use the new 

form, which will be streamlined and require less 

information and therefore less burden. The burden hours 

have decreased due to lower number of responses by the 

current participants.

Eliminated 17,898 responses and 

6,271 annual burden hours

$162,607 cost savings 

for the respondents and 

$647,728, federal cost 

savings for processing 

by the Federal 

Government employees

January 2013

USDA NRCS Conservation 

Delivery 

Streamlining 

Initiative (CDSI) –

Client Gateway

Although NRCS’ Conservation Delivery Streamlining 

Initiative (CDSI) is not an effort focused on paperwork 

reduction, the new processes and technologies being 

implemented will result in some paperwork reduction for 

NRCS’ clientele. 

Most of the efficiency gains for clients will result from the 

Client Gateway, which will provide an online portal that will 

allow customers to: 

- work with NRCS 24/7 at their convenience, reducing or 

eliminating the needs for trips to the NRCS office; 

- view, finalize, and electronically sign documents using 

remote electronic signature, eliminating the generation, 

processing, and management of some paper documents; 

and 

When CDSI is fully implemented, 

NRCS estimates the Initiative has the 

potential to substantially reduce 

other (non-PRA) administrative time 

for clients when participating in 

NRCS’ conservation programs. While 

not within the scope of PRA, 

examples of such time savings 

include: 110,000 hours result from 

reduced travel time by clients to 

NRCS offices, or 40,000 hours result 

from reduced time interpreting and 

applying the simplified and 

consolidated documents 

(conservation plan, practice designs, 

etc.) being implemented through 

CDSI. Since the use of the Client 

Gateway is optional, there is an 

Cost savings is not a 

primary objective of 

CDSI, so little or no 

initial cost savings will 

be realized. In the long 

term, there are 

information technology 

cost savings to NRCS 

associated with 

reducing: (1) the 

number of information 

technology legacy 

systems that must be 

maintained, (2) costs for 

data storage and 

management, and (3) 

costs of managing 

multiple duplicative 

The Client Gateway online portal is scheduled for 

nationwide 

implementation in 2014. 

The Client Gateway will 

provide benefits for both 

NRCS and its clients.

Other CDSI systems and 

streamlined processes 

that will enhance the 

paperwork reduction are 

scheduled for 

implementation by 2016; 

however 
9

EO 13610: Paperwork and Reporting Burden Initiatives

Agency SubAgencyTitle Description of the Initiative Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated

Notes Estimated effective date 

of the change

- request assistance, describe problems, obtain resource 

information, and check on payments in less time and with 

fewer steps. 

Other paperwork reductions will result from NRCS’ 

implementation of mobile planning tools and other process 

streamlining.

expectation that initial use will be 

small, with increasing participation 

each year thereafter. NRCS projects 

participation will be 10-20% in 2015, 

and grow to 75-100% by 2020. 

physical document 

management systems. 

The estimated costs to 

NRCS for the 

development of the 

Client Gateway are 

$200,000. The lifecycle 

cost (2012-2021) is 

$10,022,385.

The Client Gateway 

results in a cost-savings 

for NRCS customers by 

reducing the number of 

trips customers must 

make to the NRCS office 

to participate in the 

Agency’s programs.