USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

USDA Animal Plant Health 

& Inspection 

Service (APHIS)

Participation in the 

International Trade Data 

System (ITDS) via the 

Automated Commercial 

Environment (ACE)

0579- 0013, 0015, 0040, 0049, 0054, 0076, 

0129, 0141, 0144,0145, 0165, 0172, 0173, 

0190, 0195, 0207, 0213, 0214, 0218, 0221, 

0228, 0230, 0232, 0234, 0242, 0245, 0271, 

0274, 0285,0301, 0303, 0307, 0308, 0313, 

0316, 0319, 0328,0372, 0379, 0384, 0393, 

0395, 0396, and 0397

With the February 19, 2014, signing of the 

Executive Order on 21st Century Trade 

Facilitation, the President mandated all 

Government agencies’ to implement ITDS via 

the ACE. To remove any impediments to the 

full implementation of ITDS/ACE, APHIS will 

amend its regulations in 7 CFR chapter III and 9 

CFR chapter I in instances where a specific 

import or export form is cited without an 

alternative being mentioned or where notice of 

arrival must be provided by mail, fax, or email 

with no other alternative (electronic) means 

offered. 7 CFR chapter III and 9 CFR chapter I 

includes regulations that address the 

importation and exportation of plants and plant 

products (title 7) and animals and animal 

products (title 9). The regulations include 

requirements for the submission of permit 

applications, health certificates, notices of 

arrival, and similar documents in connection 

with the importation or exportation of plants, 

animals, and plant & animal products.

Ongoing In response to stakeholder 

concerns, the implementation 

date for ACE/ITDS 

functionality was changed. In 

February 2016, ACE/ITDS 

will be the only system used to 

process import and export 

transactions for the U.S. We 

anticipate the final rule to 

make changes to current 

regulations to be completed by 

that time. 

Electronic submission option

Alternative forms. APHIS published two 

notices in the Federal Register 

announcing the opportunity for 

stakeholders to pilot with APHIS. The first 

was published on 8/6/15, for the Lacey Act 

Program. The second was published 

10/2/15, for the other APHIS CORE 

programs. APHIS also received a waiver 

from OMB to continue collecting certain 

forms required for importation in a paper 

rather than electronic format. The waiver 

was granted for documents certified by 

officials in the exporting coutry that must 

be validated upon importation of the 

goods. 

Analysis

USDA APHIS APHIS eFileCertification, 

Accreditation, 

Registration, Permits, 

and other Licenses 

(CARPOL)

0579- 0007, 0013, 0015, 0020, 0036, 0040, 

0047, 0048, 0049, 0052, 0054, 0056, 

0065,0076, 0085, 0088, 0093,0101, 0124, 

0127, 0128,0129, 0130, 0131, 0137, 0141, 

0142, 0144, 0145, 0146, 0148, 0159, 0160, 

0165, 0172, 0173, 0176, 0185,

0189, 0190,

0192, 0195, 0198, 0203, 0207, 0213, 0218, 

0221, 0224, 0228, 0230, 0234, 0240, 0242, 

0245, 0256, 0266, 0271, 0274, 0278, 0279, 

0281, 0282, 0284,

0285, 0286, 0289, 0297, 0301, 0302, 0303, 

0307, 0308, 0312,

0311, 0314, 0316, 0319, 0322, 0323, 

0331, 0332, 0337, 0338,

0346, 0347, 0350, 0351, 0355, 0357, 0358, 

0363, 0366, 0371, 0372, 0373, 0374, 0375, 

0378, 0380, 0384, 0386, 0387, 0390, 0391, 

0392, 0393, 0394, 0395, 0396, 0397, 0400, 

0401, 0402, 0403, 0405, 0406, 0408, 0411, 

0413, 0415, 0418, 0419, and 0429 

APHIS is creating a new electronic system to 

replace its ePermits system along with other IT 

systems, which 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 and support the ITDS ACE initiative 

with Homeland Security/Customs and Border 

Protection.

Ongoing APHIS anticipates to have the 

permitting module completed 

by May 2016 with modules on 

certifications, registrations, 

accreditations, and other 

licenses to follow.

Streamlined requirements; sunset of legacy 

IT system.

Public comment, Analysis
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

USDA Animal Plant Health 

& Inspection 

Service (APHIS)

Participation in the 

International Trade Data 

System (ITDS) via the 

Automated Commercial 

Environment (ACE)

0579- 0013, 0015, 0040, 0049, 0054, 0076, 

0129, 0141, 0144,0145, 0165, 0172, 0173, 

0190, 0195, 0207, 0213, 0214, 0218, 0221, 

0228, 0230, 0232, 0234, 0242, 0245, 0271, 

0274, 0285,0301, 0303, 0307, 0308, 0313, 

0316, 0319, 0328,0372, 0379, 0384, 0393, 

0395, 0396, and 0397

With the February 19, 2014, signing of the 

Executive Order on 21st Century Trade 

Facilitation, the President mandated all 

Government agencies’ to implement ITDS via 

the ACE. To remove any impediments to the 

full implementation of ITDS/ACE, APHIS will 

amend its regulations in 7 CFR chapter III and 9 

CFR chapter I in instances where a specific 

import or export form is cited without an 

alternative being mentioned or where notice of 

arrival must be provided by mail, fax, or email 

with no other alternative (electronic) means 

offered. 7 CFR chapter III and 9 CFR chapter I 

includes regulations that address the 

importation and exportation of plants and plant 

products (title 7) and animals and animal 

products (title 9). The regulations include 

requirements for the submission of permit 

applications, health certificates, notices of 

arrival, and similar documents in connection 

with the importation or exportation of plants, 

animals, and plant & animal products.

Ongoing In response to stakeholder 

concerns, the implementation 

date for ACE/ITDS 

functionality was changed. In 

February 2016, ACE/ITDS 

will be the only system used to 

process import and export 

transactions for the U.S. We 

anticipate the final rule to 

make changes to current 

regulations to be completed by 

that time. 

Electronic submission option

Alternative forms. APHIS published two 

notices in the Federal Register 

announcing the opportunity for 

stakeholders to pilot with APHIS. The first 

was published on 8/6/15, for the Lacey Act 

Program. The second was published 

10/2/15, for the other APHIS CORE 

programs. APHIS also received a waiver 

from OMB to continue collecting certain 

forms required for importation in a paper 

rather than electronic format. The waiver 

was granted for documents certified by 

officials in the exporting coutry that must 

be validated upon importation of the 

goods. 

Analysis

USDA APHIS APHIS eFileCertification, 

Accreditation, 

Registration, Permits, 

and other Licenses 

(CARPOL)

0579- 0007, 0013, 0015, 0020, 0036, 0040, 

0047, 0048, 0049, 0052, 0054, 0056, 

0065,0076, 0085, 0088, 0093,0101, 0124, 

0127, 0128,0129, 0130, 0131, 0137, 0141, 

0142, 0144, 0145, 0146, 0148, 0159, 0160, 

0165, 0172, 0173, 0176, 0185,

0189, 0190,

0192, 0195, 0198, 0203, 0207, 0213, 0218, 

0221, 0224, 0228, 0230, 0234, 0240, 0242, 

0245, 0256, 0266, 0271, 0274, 0278, 0279, 

0281, 0282, 0284,

0285, 0286, 0289, 0297, 0301, 0302, 0303, 

0307, 0308, 0312,

0311, 0314, 0316, 0319, 0322, 0323, 

0331, 0332, 0337, 0338,

0346, 0347, 0350, 0351, 0355, 0357, 0358, 

0363, 0366, 0371, 0372, 0373, 0374, 0375, 

0378, 0380, 0384, 0386, 0387, 0390, 0391, 

0392, 0393, 0394, 0395, 0396, 0397, 0400, 

0401, 0402, 0403, 0405, 0406, 0408, 0411, 

0413, 0415, 0418, 0419, and 0429 

APHIS is creating a new electronic system to 

replace its ePermits system along with other IT 

systems, which 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 and support the ITDS ACE initiative 

with Homeland Security/Customs and Border 

Protection.

Ongoing APHIS anticipates to have the 

permitting module completed 

by May 2016 with modules on 

certifications, registrations, 

accreditations, and other 

licenses to follow.

Streamlined requirements; sunset of legacy 

IT system.

Public comment, Analysis
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number

USDA Food Safety &

Inspection Service 

(FSIS)

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, and will 

have the ability to interface and facilitate 

exchange of data with Customs and Border 

Protection’s Automated Commercial 

Environment (ACE).

Ongoing 3/2016 (final rule) Electronic submission option. Analysis

USDA Food Safety &

Inspection Service 

(FSIS)

This change would amend the ante-mortem 

inspection regulations to remove a provision 

that permits establishments to set apart and hold 

for treatment veal calves that are unable to rise 

from a recumbent position and walk because 

they are tired or cold. The existing regulations 

permit such calves to proceed to slaughter if 

they are able to rise and walk after being 

warmed and rested. The proposed amendment 

would require that non-ambulatory disabled 

(NAD) veal calves that are offered for slaughter 

be condemned and promptly euthanized instead. 

This would be in conformance with existing 

regulations on NAD mature cattle.

New to this update Proposed rule published 

5/2015 (80 FR 27269);

public comment period closed 

7/2015

Publication of the final rule is 

targeted for 3/2016.

Streamlined requirements to improve 

inspection efficiency by saving personnel 

time and resources.

Public comment, Analysis

USDA Agricultural 

Marketing Service 

(AMS)

This change would require exporters to upload 

copies of USDA-AMS export certificate forms 

into the Automated Export System that is 

administered by the U.S. Census Bureau for the 

Export Fruit Acts: Export Grape and Plum Act 

(Title 7 CFR Part 35). It would also require 

exporters to provide copies of the certificates, 

upon request, to AMS. While these changes 

provide no quantifiable savings, they will 

enable AMS to provide more effective oversight 

of the industry thus ensuring to all exporters 

that all participants are complying with the 

regulations. In addition, these changes will 

support the International Trade Data System, a 

key White House economic initiative that is 

mandated for completion by 12/31/16.

Ongoing 09/2016 (proposed rule) Electronic submission option. Public comment, Analysis

Electronic Export 

Application and 

Certification Fee

0583-AD41

Requirements for the 

Disposition of NonAmbulatory Disabled 

Veal Calves

0583-AD54

Input Export Form 

Numbers into the 

Automated Export 

System

TBD
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number

USDA AMS Revision of the Regulations for the Inspection 

of Eggs (7 CFR 57) providing electronic 

submission of the Import Request, Shell Eggs. 

The time for completion of the 

inspection/clearance process for release of the 

cargo will be reduced by approximately 48 

hours. Access to the Automated Customs 

Environment (ACE) maintained by Customs 

and Border Protection will allow enhanced 

communication of the status of the clearance 

process involving the Food and Drug 

Administration, Food Safety and Inspection 

Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service, and Agricultural Marketing Service, 

USDA.

Completed Proposed rule published 

6/2015 (80 FR 32867);

public comment period closed 

8/2015

Publication of the final rule is 

targeted for 1/2016.

Electronic submission option. Public comment

USDA APHIS In the 2014 Farm Bill, Congress amended the 

Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to provide the 

Secretary of Agriculture with the authority to 

determine what facilities and activities 

involving AWA regulated animals are de 

minimis and therefore exempt from licensure 

and oversight. We are proposing to amend the 

AWA regulations to enact this new provision. 

This change would provide APHIS with the 

flexibility to exempt from licensing those 

dealers and exhibitors who provide adequate 

levels of humane care to their animals, allowing 

us to target our enforcement resources where 

they are most needed. Dealers and exhibitors 

operating at or below the threshold would be 

exempted from APHIS licensing and oversight 

under the AWA.

Ongoing Proposed rule, 3/2016 Categorical exclusions, Streamlined 

requirements.

Public comment Electronic entry system: cost 

savings to industry estimated 

at $1.7 million - $5.7 million. 

De minimis exemption: 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) and $7.2 million 

to $24 million (240,000 

declarations *

$30 to $100 in broker’s fees).

Animal Welfare; 

Establishing De 

Minimis Exemptions 

From Licensing 

0579-AD99 

Revision of the 

Regulations for the 

Inspection of Eggs 

providing electronic 

submission of the 

Import Request, Shell 

Eggs

N/A Exempt EO 12866 Rulemaking
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number

USDA Farm Service 

Agency (FSA) and 

Risk Management 

Agency

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.

A goal under ACRSI is to establish one acreage 

reporting date for each commodity. To meet the 

goal, RMA (FCIC) proposes to revise the 

regulations for ARPI Forage program dates to 

align the dates with the program dates under the 

Actual Production History Forage Crop 

Provisions.

Ongoing Implementation is to be 

conducted in phases. One of 

the key components 

considered in selecting the 

counties and agricultural 

commodities for each phase is 

the prevalence of the use of 

technology through Precision 

Agriculture.

Fall 2011 Phase 1: in 4 

selected counties in Kansas.

Spring 2015 Phase 2: selected 

counties in Illinois and Iowa.

Continuing to expand in 

phases by geographical area 

and agricultural commodities 

until all counties and 

commodities are included.

Streamlined requirements. Public comment, Analysis

USDA FSA FSA is consolidating, updating, and amending 

its regulations implementing the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended 

(NEPA). FSA’s NEPA regulations have been in 

place since 1980. Significant changes to the 

structure of FSA and the scope of FSA’s 

programs require changes in FSA’s NEPA 

regulations. The proposed changes would also 

better align FSA’s NEPA regulations with the 

President’s Council on Environmental Quality 

(CEQ) NEPA regulations and guidance and 

meet the FSA responsibilities for periodic 

review of their categorical exclusions.

Ongoing Proposed rule published 

9/2014 (79 FR 52239);

public comment period closed 

8/2015

Publication of the final rule is 

targeted for 4/2016.

Categorical exclusions, Streamlined 

requirements.

Public comment, Analysis

Acreage and Crop 

Reporting Streamlining 

Initiative

0563-0084

Environmental Policies 

and Procedures; 

Compliance with the 

National Environmental 

Policy Act and Related 

Authorities

0560-AH02
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number

USDA Natural Resources 

Conservation 

Service

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 Conservation 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

- 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.

Ongoing The Conservation Client 

Gateway public facing web 

application was deployed in 

FY 2014 (December 19, 2014) 

and the nationwide 

implementation was initiated 

on May 27, 2015. The 

Conservation Client Gateway 

application will provide 

benefits for both NRCS 

employees and its clients.

Other CDSI systems 

(Conservation Desktop and 

Mobile Planning Tool) and 

streamlined processes that will 

enhance the paperwork 

reduction are scheduled for 

implementation in fiscal year 

2017; and with subsequent 

releases thereafter.

Streamlined requirements. Public comment 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 being implemented 

through CDSI.

The Conservation Client 

Gateway results in a costsavings for NRCS customers 

by reducing the number of 

trips customers must make to 

the NRCS office to participate 

in the Agency’s programs.

USDA Rural BusinessCooperative Service 

(RBS)

The rule will alter the way RBS services the 

loan guarantees making the program operate at 

a lower cost.

Ongoing The proposed rule published 

on 9/2014. Final rule to 

publish by 4/2016.

TBD Public comment Estimated reduction in 

Burden up to 500 hours.

USDA Rural Housing 

Service

Update program operation in an effort to 

consolidate, streamline, and simplify existing 

processes.

Ongoing The proposed rule 1/2016. 

Final Rule 5/2016.

Streamlined requirements. Public comment The agency is aligning its 

application requirements with 

the lending industry. As such, 

approximately 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.

Business and Industry 

Loan Guaranteed 

Program

0570-AA85

Community Facilities 

Loan and Grants

0575-AC91

Conservation Delivery 

Streamlining Initiative 

(CDSI) – Conservation 

Client Gateway (CCG)

TBD
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number

USDA 0584-AD84 This rulemaking amends the Summer Food 

Service Program (SFSP) to extend simplified 

cost accounting and reporting procedures to 

SFSP sponsors in all States, and eliminate the 

cost comparison requirements for determining 

payments to sponsors. In addition, this 

rulemaking proposes several discretionary 

changes to improve administrative efficiency 

and reduce paperwork in the management of the 

SFSP. Finally, this rulemaking proposes a 

change to the National School Lunch Program 

regulations to create consistency among the 

Child Nutrition Programs with regard to notice 

procedures.

Ongoing Final rule will be published 

2016

Streamlined

requirements.

Public comment Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated: 27,184

USDA 0570-AA73

0570-0065

The subsequent interim rule expands the 

original program to include the ability to fund 

biobased product manufacturing facilities and 

to remove the requirement that the majority of 

the biorefinery production must be an advanced 

biofuel, thereby allowing biorefineries whose 

primary product is a renewable chemical to be 

eligible for funding. The subsequent interim 

rule also implements a new 2-phase application 

process that reduces the overall burden and 

streamlines the application process.

Ongoing The subsequent interim rule 

with comment was published 

on June 24, 2015 with an 

effective date of August 23, 

2015.

Streamlined

requirements.

Public comment By implementing the 2-phase 

application process, the 

Agency estimates that 

approximately 30,000 hours 

will be saved when compared 

to using the current process of 

all applicants submitting 

complete applications 

(equivalent to Phase 1 and 

Phase 2 applications). This is 

equivalent to reducing public 

burden for applications by 

approximately 45 percent. 

These reductions are based on 

an estimated 95 applicants 

submitting Phase 1 

applications, of which 34 of 

the 95 Phase 1 applicants then 

submit Phase 2 applications

FNS Simplified Cost 

Accounting and Other 

Actions to Reduce 

Paperwork in the 

Summer Food Service 

Program

RBS Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number

USDA 0583-AD39 This rule amended import inspection 

regulations to provide for the electronic 

transmittal of foreign establishment certificates 

and foreign inspection certificates. FSIS also 

amended its regulations to give importers the 

option of submitting electronic import 

inspection applications through Customs and 

Border Protection’s (CBP) Automated 

Commercial Environment (ACE), using the 

International Trade Data System (ITDS) PGA 

Message Set.

Completed The final rule was

published on 9/2014 (79 FR

56220). This rule was 

effective 11/2014.

Electronic

submission option.

Analysis The final rule, in conjunction 

with the Public Health 

Information System, will 

reduce the information 

collection burden on 

importers by approximately 

10,000 hours.

USDA 0596-AD01 The Forest Service added new categorical 

exclusions (CEs) to its NEPA Regulations. 

These CEs, designed to expedite landscape 

restoration activities on National Forests, 

Grasslands, and Prairies, are included in 

Agency categorical exclusions found in 36 CFR 

part 220.6.

Completed The rulemaking was

published on 9/2013 (78 FR

56513).

Categorical

exclusions.

Public comment

USDA 0560-0237 Within in the Information Collection Request 

(ICR), FSA added a streamlined version of form 

FSA-2314 that is used by some respondents. 

Repeat customers (borrowers) whose 

information has not changed can use the new 

form, which is streamlined and requires less 

information and therefore less burden. The 

change allows those returning customers to use 

the 1 new form instead of the 6 existing forms. 

Therefore, burden hours have decreased in 

some forms (FSA-2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 

2005, and 2006) due to the resulting lower 

number of responses by the current participants.

Later, as a separate change in the ICR, in 

implementing the 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113-

79) change to Microloans FSA updated a form 

to include Microloan information. FSA chose 

to implement the change in a way that provides 

flexibility; Microloan applicants may select 

either the special applicant or the regular 

Operating Loan interest rate.

Completed OMB approved the

ICR for the returning 

customers change on 2/2013.

OMB approved the ICR for 

the Microloans form change 

on 9/2014.

Streamlined

requirements.

Public comment,

Analysis

Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated:

Eliminated 6,271 annual 

burden hours and 17,898 

responses.

$198,853 cost savings for the 

farmers (6,721 burden hours x 

$31.71 per hour) and

$647,728, federal cost savings 

for processing by the Federal 

Government employees 

(17,898 responses x $36.19 

per hour).

There are no changes to the 

burden hour for the Microloan 

form changes.

FSA Streamlined Farm

Loan Programs Direct 

Loan Making

Forest Service (FS) National

Environmental Policy 

Act Efficiencies

FSIS Electronic Import

Inspection and 

Certification of 

Imported Products and 

Foreign Establishments
USDA Retrospective Review Plan Update as of January 2016

Agency Sub-agency Summary of Initiative Status of Initiative -- New to this update, 

Ongoing, or Completed

Target Completion Date (if 

completed, please add the 

publication date and cite in 

Federal Register for 

example)

Does the Initiative include regulatory 

flexibilities such as pilot projects, safe 

harbor exemptions, sunset provisions, 

trigger provisions, streamlined 

requirements, state flexibilities, or other 

similar strategies?

What methods will you engage in to 

Identify Improvements (public 

comment, analyses, third party 

assessments, etc). Please identify all 

that apply

If Available, anticipated or 

realized savings in costs 

&/or burdens and 

anticipated or realized 

changes in benefits

Title Of Initiative/Rule 

or ICR

RIN/OMB

Control Number

USDA 0584-AE10 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.

Completed The final rule was

published on 2/2013 (78 FR

12221).

This rule was effective 

3/2013.

Streamlined

requirements.

Public comment Hours of paperwork/reporting 

eliminated: 113,000. 

USDA 0583-AC59 This rulemaking expands the types of labeling 

that are generically approved.

Completed The final rule was

published on 11/2013 (78 FR

66826).

This rule was effective 

1/2014.

Streamlined

requirements.

Public comment, Analysis The final rule is expected to 

reduce the information 

collection burden hours on 

industry by 34,971.

USDA 0583-AD32 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 shifts the responsibility for 

detecting visible carcass defects from FSIS 

inspectors to plant employees. FSIS will 

continue to conduct an on-line carcass-bycarcass 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.

Completed The final rule was

published on 8/2014 (79 FR

49566).

Risk-based

inspections.

Public comment

Food and

Nutrition Service 

(FNS)

Direct Certification

for School Meals

FSIS Modernization of

Poultry Slaughter 

Inspection

FSIS Prior Labeling

Approval System: 

Generic Label Approval