[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5129-5135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1748]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[TM-03-03]


National Organic Program: Development, Issuance, and Use of 
Guidance Documents

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
(USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) procedures for the development, 
issuance, and use of guidance documents. This document is intended to 
make the NOP's procedures clearer to the public.

DATES: Comments must be submitted April 4, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
this notice using the following addresses:
    <bullet> Mail: Richard H. Mathews, Associate Deputy Administrator, 
National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Room 4008 South., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268.
    <bullet> E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86c8c9d6a8c1f3efe2e7e8e5e3c6f3f5e2e7a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93dddcc3bdd4e6faf7f2fdf0f6d3e6e0f7f2bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a>. (Not case sensitive)
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 205-7808.
    <bullet> Internet: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Procedures for Submitting Comments: Comments on this notice must be 
in writing and should be identified with the docket number TM-03-03. 
Comments should identify the topic and section number of this notice to 
which the comment refers. If you choose to comment, you should clearly 
indicate if you are for or against the notice or some portion of it and 
the reason(s) for your position. If you are suggesting changes to the 
notice, you should include recommended language changes, as 
appropriate, along with any relevant supporting documentation.
    It is our intention to have all comments to this notice whether 
submitted by mail, e-mail, or fax, available for viewing on the NOP 
homepage. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
available for viewing at USDA-AMS, Transportation and Marketing 
Programs,

[[Page 5130]]

Room 4008-South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday (except for official Federal holidays). Persons wanting to visit 
the USDA South Building to view comments received in response to this 
notice are requested to make an appointment in advance by calling (202) 
720-3252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Jones, Team Leader, Program 
Development, National Organic Program, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Room 4008-S, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268; Telephone: (202) 
720-3252; Fax: (202) 205-7808; and e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0dbd5d9c4d89edadfded5c3f0c5c3d4d19ed7dfc6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97fcf2fee3ffb9fdf8f9f2e4d7e2e4f3f6b9f0f8e1">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Related Documents

    We have published five notices related to this action in the 
Federal Register. The NOP final rule was published on December 21, 2000 
(65 FR 80548). Two rules proposing to amend the NOP's National List 
were published on April 16, 2003 (68 FR 18566), and May 22, 2003 (68 FR 
27941). Two final rules amending the NOP's National List were published 
on October 31, 2003 (68 FR 61987) and November 3, 2003 (68 FR 62215).

II. Statutory and Regulatory Authority

    This notice is issued under the authority of the Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990 (Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).

III. Background

    The preamble to the March 13, 2000, NOP notice (65 FR 13543-44) and 
the December 21, 2000, final rule (65 FR 80557) made several references 
to program manuals as a mechanism for further clarifying regulatory 
characteristics and expectations of the NOP. The NOP's goal is to use 
program manuals to enable reliably uniform regulatory decisions.
    The guidance documents referred to in this notice are the specific 
documents that will comprise a program manual. The guidance documents 
will address, over time, each final rule section, as appropriate, and 
offer information, procedures, and protocols. Prior to the publication 
of this notice the NOP communicated with accredited certifying agents, 
their clients and program participants and the public on regulatory 
characteristics and expectations through the publication and 
dissemination of documents know as ``policy statements'' and through a 
question and answer format (Q and A's). Issuance of policy statements 
and Q and A's was viewed by the NOP as a temporary step toward the 
publication of this notice. The guidance documents that would be 
implemented by this action will replace the existing policy statements 
and Q and A's.
    These guidance documents will represent NOP's current thinking on a 
particular topic. Consistent with earlier statements in the proposed 
and final rule, they do not create or confer any rights for or on any 
person and do not operate to bind NOP or the public. An alternative 
approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the 
Act and its implementing regulations. NOP will be available to discuss 
alternative approaches to ensure that the alternative complies with the 
Act and its implementing regulations. However, because a guidance 
document represents the program's current thinking on the subject 
addressed in the document, NOP will take steps to ensure that its staff 
does not deviate from the guidance document without appropriate 
justification and appropriate supervisory concurrence.
    The use of guidance documents to assist in developing uniform 
regulatory decisions is a standard government practice, and the NOP has 
reviewed examples of guidance documents from various Federal regulatory 
agencies. Additionally, we may use public meetings as a forum for input 
on the development and issuance of guidance documents as well as the 
format and scope of the program manual. Your comments on this notice 
will help AMS evaluate the potential effectiveness of the development, 
issuance, and use of guidance documents in ensuring uniform regulatory 
decisions.
    Of course, if in developing program guidance, it appears that 
modifications or changes in the NOP regulations are required, such 
modifications would be made through notice and comment rulemaking.

IV. Overview of Procedures

A. Purpose

    This ``Good Guidance Practices'' (GGP's) document sets forth NOP's 
general policies and procedures for developing, issuing, and using 
guidance documents. The purpose of this document is to help ensure that 
program guidance documents are developed with adequate public 
participation, that guidance documents are readily available to the 
public, and that guidance documents are not applied as binding 
requirements. The program wants to ensure uniformity in the 
development, issuance, and use of guidance documents.
    The purposes of guidance documents are to:
    (1) Provide assistance to the regulated industry by clarifying 
requirements that have been imposed by the Act or its implementing 
regulations and by explaining how industry may comply with those 
statutory and regulatory requirements; and
    (2) provide specific review and enforcement approaches to help 
ensure that NOP staff implements the program's mandate in an effective, 
fair, and consistent manner. Certain guidance documents may provide 
information about what the program considers to be the important 
regulatory characteristics of production and processing practices. Some 
may address appropriate certification protocols to verify adherence to 
statutory and regulatory requirements. Others may explain NOP's views 
on complex or controversial regulatory issues. Still others may address 
how to avoid enforcement actions.
    This document represents the program's codification of best 
practices for developing, issuing, and using guidance documents. The 
NOP may issue additional/more detailed procedures to implement the 
general principles set forth herein.

B. Guidance Documents

    The term ``guidance documents'' will refer to documents prepared by 
the NOP, for accredited certifying agents, their clients and program 
participants and the public that: (1) Relate to the production, 
handling, processing, labels, labeling and marketing information, 
certification, accreditation of certifying agents, the National List of 
Allowed and Prohibited Substances, State Organic Programs, fees, 
compliance, inspection and testing, reporting and exclusion from sale, 
compliance, adverse action appeals process and enforcement policies 
regarding agricultural products regulated under 7 CFR Part 205; (2) 
describe the program's policy and regulatory approach to an issue; or 
(3) establish inspection and enforcement policies and procedures. 
``Guidance documents'' do not include documents relating to internal 
NOP procedures, program reports, general information documents provided 
to consumers, speeches, journal articles and editorials, media 
interviews, press materials, letters addressing enforcement or 
compliance actions, or other communications directed to individual 
persons or firms.

[[Page 5131]]

C. Legal Effect of Guidance Documents

    Guidance documents do not themselves establish legally enforceable 
rights or responsibilities and are not legally binding on the public or 
the program. Rather, they explain how the Act and its implementing 
regulations apply to certain regulated activities. However, because a 
guidance document represents the program's current thinking on the 
subject addressed in the document, the NOP will take steps to ensure 
that its staff does not deviate from the guidance document without 
appropriate justification and appropriate supervisory concurrence.
    Alternative methods that comply with the Act and its implementing 
regulations are acceptable. If a regulated company or person wishes or 
chooses to use an approach other than that set forth in a guidance 
document, the NOP will, upon request, discuss with that company or 
person alternative methods of complying with the Act and its 
implementing regulations.
    The NOP strongly encourages industry to discuss alternative 
approaches with the NOP before implementing them to avoid unnecessary 
or wasteful expenditures of resources.

D. Application of GGP's

    NOP staff will adhere to these GGP's. Documents and other means of 
communication excluded from the definition of guidance should not be 
used to initially communicate new or different regulatory expectations 
not readily apparent from the Act or its implementing regulations to a 
broad public audience. Whenever such regulatory expectations are first 
communicated to a broad public audience, these GGP's should be 
followed. This does not limit the program's ability to respond to 
questions as to how an established policy applies to a specific 
situation or to questions about areas that may lack established policy. 
However, such questions may signal the need to develop guidance in that 
area.

E. Procedures for Developing Guidance Documents

    NOP has adopted a two-level approach to the development of guidance 
documents. The procedures for developing a guidance document will 
depend on whether that guidance document is a ``Level 1'' guidance or a 
``Level 2'' guidance. Level 1 guidance documents generally include 
guidance directed primarily to accredited certifying agents or other 
members of the regulated industry that set forth first interpretations 
of statutory or regulatory requirements, changes in interpretation or 
policy that are of more than a minor nature, or address unusually 
complex or highly controversial issues. Level 2 guidance documents 
include all other guidance documents.
    1. Development of Level 1 Guidance Documents. For Level 1 guidance 
documents, the program will solicit public input prior to 
implementation, unless: (1) There are significant regulatory 
justifications for immediate implementation; (2) there is a new 
statutory requirement, executive order, or court order that requires 
immediate implementation, and guidance is needed to help effect such 
implementation; or (3) the guidance presents a less burdensome policy 
that is consistent with the purposes of the Act and implementing 
regulations. In the latter situation, the program will solicit public 
input upon issuance/implementation.
    For Level 1 guidance, the program will, at a minimum, solicit 
public input by (1) issuing a notice of availability of a draft of the 
guidance in the Federal Register and indicating its availability on the 
NOP home page and (2) posting the draft on the NOP home page or making 
the draft otherwise available. The notice of availability will provide 
information regarding how to obtain a copy of the draft guidance; hard 
copies of the draft will be available upon request. The program may use 
a single Federal Register notice of availability to solicit public 
input on several different draft guidance documents. For Level 1 
guidance documents, the program also may hold a public workshop to 
discuss a draft and/or present a draft to the public when, for example, 
there are highly controversial or unusually complex issues. Guidance 
document notices and/or drafts will be posted on the NOP home page or 
will be accessible from there.
    Because the program recognizes that it is important to solicit 
input prior to its decision to issue guidance and also, perhaps, during 
the development of a draft of a Level 1 guidance, the program is 
implementing various practices to obtain input at the earliest stages 
of Level 1 guidance document development. For example, these GGP's 
provide that the public will have an opportunity to comment on and 
suggest areas for guidance development or revision and to submit draft 
guidances for possible adoption by the program. (See the ``Guidance 
Document Agenda'' and ``Guidance Proposal Policy'' set forth below.)
    In addition, NOP may solicit or accept early input on the need for 
new or revised guidance or assistance in the development of particular 
guidance documents from interested parties such as the National Organic 
Standards Board, consumer groups, trade associations, public interest 
groups and the general public. The program may participate in meetings 
with these various parties to obtain each party's views on priorities 
for developing guidance documents. The program may also hold public 
meetings and workshops to obtain input from each interested party on 
the development or revision of guidance documents in a particular NOP 
subject area.
    Comments submitted on draft Level 1 guidance documents will be 
submitted to the docket identified in the Federal Register notice and 
on the NOP home page. All comments will be available to the public for 
review. The program will review all comments. The program will make 
changes to the guidance document in response to comments, as 
appropriate.
    2. Development of Level 2 Guidance Documents. For Level 2 guidance, 
the NOP will provide an opportunity for public comment upon issuance. 
Unless otherwise indicated, the guidance will be implemented upon 
issuance. The availability of new Level 2 guidance documents should be 
posted on the NOP home page as each guidance is issued. The program 
will publish a list in the Federal Register of all new Level 2 guidance 
documents issued during any quarter. The list of guidance documents 
will not be published following any quarter in which no guidance 
document was issued.
    The NOP may, at its discretion, solicit comment before implementing 
a Level 2 guidance document. The NOP will review all comments and may 
make changes to the guidance in response to comments, as appropriate.
    3. Comments on Guidance Documents In Use. For all guidance 
documents comments will be accepted at any time. Comments on the 
guidance documents in use should be submitted to NOP at the address 
identified in the guidance. Guidance may be revised in response to such 
comments, as appropriate.
    4. Authorization Policy. All drafts of Level 1 guidance documents 
that are made available for public comment will be signed by the Deputy 
Administrator, Transportation and Marketing Programs. All final 
versions of Level 1 guidance documents will receive the sign-off by the 
Associate Administrator, AMS. All Level 2 guidance documents will 
receive the sign-off of the Associate Deputy Administrator, NOP.
    5. Guidance Document Agenda. The NOP will update all existing 
policy

[[Page 5132]]

statements and Q and A's to the guidance format using the standard 
elements listed in this notice as soon as possible. On a semi-annual 
basis, the NOP will publish in the Federal Register and on the NOP home 
page possible topics for guidance document development or revision 
during the next year. At that time, the NOP will specifically solicit 
input from the public regarding these and additional ideas for new 
guidance documents or guidance document revisions or priorities. The 
NOP is not bound by the list of possible topics--i.e., it is not 
required to issue every guidance document on the list and it is not 
precluded from issuing guidance documents that are not included on the 
list.
    6. Guidance Proposal Policy. If a member of the public wishes to 
propose one or more topics for new guidance or guidance revisions, or 
to propose one or more draft guidance documents for adoption by NOP, 
that person should submit the proposal to the NOP. The submission 
should include a statement regarding why new or revised guidance is 
necessary. The statement should clearly and completely address the 
scope of the issue, its effect on accredited certifying agents, their 
clients and program participants and/or the public, and how a guidance 
document would enable reliably uniform regulatory decisions.
    If the NOP agrees that the proposed topic should be covered by a 
guidance document, it will develop a guidance document in accordance 
with these GGP's. If the NOP agrees that a guidance document should be 
updated/revised, it will develop a revision in accordance with these 
GGP's. If the submitter has proposed a draft of the guidance document 
that the NOP agrees can form the basis for a guidance document, the NOP 
will follow the GGP's for issuing and implementing a guidance document 
based on that proposed draft.
    7. Review and Revision of Guidance Documents. The NOP intends to 
review existing guidance documents on a regular basis. As part of the 
``Guidance Proposal Policy,'' an individual may request review or 
revision of a particular guidance document on the basis that it is no 
longer current. Such requests should be accompanied by an explanation 
of why the guidance is out of date and how it should be revised. The 
NOP will review such requests to determine if the guidance document at 
issue needs to be updated/revised. The NOP will, when appropriate, 
update or revise that guidance document in accordance with these GGP's. 
In addition, when significant changes are made to an applicable statute 
or regulation, the NOP will, on its own initiative, review and, as 
appropriate, revise guidance documents relating to that changed statute 
or regulation.

F. Standard Elements

    1. Nomenclature. All guidance documents will include: (a) the 
umbrella term ``guidance'', (b) information that identifies the NOP as 
having produced the document, and (c) the regulatory activity to which 
and/or the persons to whom the document applies. In practice, the 
majority of guidance documents issued will be called ``guidance for 
industry.''
    2. Statement of Nonbinding Effect. All guidance documents will 
include language such as this guidance represents the NOP's current 
thinking on this topic. This guidance is designed to assist interested 
parties in complying with the requirements of the Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) and its implementing regulations. It does 
not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not 
operate to bind the NOP or the public. You may use an alternative 
approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of OFPA and its 
implementing regulations. Before adopting an alterative approach, the 
NOP strongly encourages industry to discuss any alternative approach 
with the NOP in order to avoid unnecessary or wasteful expenditures and 
to ensure the proposed alternative approach complies with OFPA and its 
implementing regulations.
    3. Absence of Mandatory Language. Because guidance documents are 
not binding, mandatory words such as ``shall,'' ``must,'' ``require,'' 
and ``requirement'' are inappropriate unless they are being used to 
describe or discuss a statutory or regulatory requirement. Before a new 
guidance is issued, it will be reviewed to ensure that mandatory 
language has not been used, except to describe or discuss a statutory 
or regulatory requirement.
    4. Other Standard Elements. Each guidance document will include the 
dates of issuance, date of effect and latest revision. Documents that 
are being made available for comment will include a ``draft'' notation. 
When a guidance supersedes another guidance document, the new guidance 
document will identify the document that it is superseding. Superseded 
documents that remain available for historical purposes will be stamped 
or otherwise identified as superseded. All guidance documents will 
include a cover sheet that is modeled after the example in Appendix A 
attached to this document.

G. NOP Implementation of GGP's

    1. Education. All current and new NOP employees involved in the 
development, issuance, or application of guidance documents will be 
provided a copy of and directed to review the program's GGP's. The 
program will conduct additional training of employees involved in the 
development and use of guidance documents that will describe in more 
detail how to develop and use guidance documents under these GGP's. 
This training will emphasize the principles set forth in section III, 
above, regarding the legal effect of guidance documents.
    The program also will educate the public about the legal effect of 
guidance. These GGP's and the statement of the nonbinding effect of 
guidance that will be included in every future guidance document and on 
the comprehensive list of guidance documents (discussed in section VIII 
below) will help to educate the public about the legal effect of 
guidance. The NOP staff will take the opportunity to state and explain 
the legal effect of guidance when speaking to the public about guidance 
documents.
    2. Monitoring. The NOP will monitor staff's use of guidance 
documents. As part of this process, NOP will monitor the development 
and issuance of guidance documents to ensure that these GGP's are being 
followed. In addition, NOP will spot-check the use of guidance 
documents to ensure that they are not being applied as binding 
requirements. Finally, NOP will spot-check the use of documents and 
communications that are not defined as guidance, such as warning 
letters and speeches, to ensure that these documents are not being used 
to initially express a new regulatory expectation to a broad public 
audience.
    Three years after these GGP's have been implemented; the program 
will perform an internal review to determine whether these GGP's have 
been successful in achieving NOP's goal in issuing them. The internal 
review will determine whether the GGP's are ensuring: (1) Adequate 
public participation in the development of guidance, (2) that guidance 
documents are readily available to the public and (3) that guidance 
documents are not being applied as binding requirements. The internal 
review will also examine the results of the program's monitoring 
efforts as well as the number and results of appeals relating to the 
development and/or use of guidance documents.

[[Page 5133]]

H. Dissemination/Availability to Public

    A comprehensive list of all current guidance documents will be 
maintained on the NOP home page. New guidance documents will be added 
to the list within 30 days of issuance. NOP will publish the 
comprehensive list in the Federal Register annually. NOP will publish a 
Federal Register notice that lists all guidance documents that were 
issued during any quarter and all guidance documents that have been 
withdrawn during the same quarter. Publication will not occur following 
any quarter in which no guidance document was issued or withdrawn.
    The guidance document list will include the name of each guidance 
document, the document issuance/effective/revision dates, and 
information to obtain copies of the document. The list will be 
organized by NOP and will group guidance documents by their intended 
users and/or the regulatory activities to which they apply. The list 
also will include (properly identified) draft documents being made 
available for public comment.
    The NOP will be responsible for maintaining a comprehensive set of 
guidance documents and making those guidance documents available to the 
public. All guidance documents made available will be included on the 
comprehensive list. To the extent feasible, guidance documents will be 
made available electronically (e.g., on the NOP home page). The NOP 
will make all guidance documents available in hard copy, upon request.

I. Appeals

    These GGP's should foster the development and use of guidance 
documents consistent with NOP's intended goal of regulatory decisions 
that will be reliably uniform throughout the world. Nevertheless, an 
effective appeal mechanism is needed to address instances in which the 
GGP's may not have been followed or the GGP's fail to achieve their 
purpose. The NOP will provide an opportunity for appeal by a person who 
believes that GGP's were not followed in issuing a particular guidance 
document or who believes that a guidance document has been treated as a 
binding requirement.
    As a general matter, a person with a dispute involving a guidance 
document should begin with the supervisor of the person applying the 
guidance document. If the issue cannot be resolved at that level, the 
matter should be brought to the next level. This process would continue 
on up the chain of command. If a matter is unresolved at the level of 
the Associate Deputy Administrator, NOP, the Deputy Administrator for 
Transportation and Marketing Programs or the Administrator of AMS may 
be asked to become involved.
    The language below will be inserted into and made part of the 
program manual for the National Organic Program.

National Organic Program Good Guidance Practices

What Are Good Guidance Practices?

    Good guidance practices (GGP's) are the National Organic Program's 
(NOP) policies and procedures for developing, issuing, and using 
guidance documents.

What Is a Guidance Document?

    A guidance document is a document prepared by the NOP for 
accredited certifying agents, their clients and program participants, 
and the public that describe the NOP's current interpretation of or 
policy on a regulatory issue. Guidance documents include, but are not 
limited to:
    <bullet> Documents related to the production, handling, labels, 
labeling and market information, certification, accreditation of 
certifying agents, the National List of Allowed and Prohibited 
Substances, State Organic Programs, fees, compliance, inspection and 
testing, reporting and exclusion from sale, compliance, adverse action 
appeals process and enforcement policies regarding agricultural 
products regulated under the National Organic Program;
    <bullet> Documents that describe NOP's policy and regulatory 
approach to an issue; or
    <bullet> Documents that establish inspection and enforcement 
policies and procedures.
    Guidance documents do not include documents that relate to internal 
NOP procedures, program reports, general information documents provided 
to consumers or agriculture and food professionals, speeches, journal 
articles and editorials, media interviews, press materials, letters 
regarding enforcement or compliance actions, memoranda of 
understanding, or other communications directed to individual persons 
or firms.

What Other Terms Have a Special Meaning?

    Level 1 guidance documents include guidance documents that set 
forth initial interpretations of statutory or regulatory requirements; 
set forth changes in interpretation or policy that are of significance; 
include complex issues; or cover highly controversial issues. Level 2 
guidance documents are guidance documents that set forth existing 
practices or minor changes in interpretation or policy. Level 2 
guidance documents include all guidance documents that are not 
classified as Level 1. The term ``you'' refers to all affected parties 
outside of NOP.

Are You or NOP Required To Follow a Guidance Document?

    No. Guidance documents do not establish legally enforceable rights 
or responsibilities. They do not legally bind the public or NOP. You 
may choose to use an approach other than the one set forth in a 
guidance document. However, your alternative approach must comply with 
all applicable Federal and State statutes and regulations. NOP is 
willing to discuss an alternative approach with you to ensure that your 
alternative complies with all applicable Federal and State statutes and 
regulations. However, although guidance documents are not legally 
binding, they represent the NOP's current thinking. Therefore, NOP 
employees may depart from guidance documents only with appropriate 
justification and supervisory concurrence.

Can NOP Use Means Other Than a Guidance Document To Communicate New 
Program Policy or a New Regulatory Approach to a Broad Public Audience?

    The program may not continually use documents or other means of 
communication that are excluded from the definition of guidance 
document to informally communicate new or different regulatory 
expectations to a broad public audience. These GGP's must be followed 
whenever regulatory expectations that are not readily apparent from the 
Statute or regulations are first communicated to a broad public 
audience. These GGP's do not limit the NOP's ability to respond to 
questions as to how an established policy applies to a specific 
situation or to questions about areas that may lack established policy.

How Can You Participate in the Development and Issuance of Guidance 
Documents?

    You can provide input on guidance documents that NOP is developing 
under the procedures described below under the heading ``What are NOP's 
procedures for the developing and issuing guidance documents?'' You may 
also suggest areas for guidance document development. Your suggestions 
should address why a guidance document is necessary, should

[[Page 5134]]

clearly and completely address the scope of the issue, its effect on 
accredited certifying agents, their clients and program participants 
and/or the public, and how a guidance document would enable reliably 
uniform regulatory decisions. You may also submit drafts of proposed 
guidance documents for NOP to consider. When you do so, you should mark 
the document ``Guidance Document Submission'' and send it to: USDA/AMS/
TMP/NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 4008 South, Ag Stop 0268, 
Washington, DC 20250-0268. NOP may designate an electronic e-mail 
address for the purpose of receiving comments on guidance documents. At 
any time, you may suggest that NOP revise or withdraw an already 
existing guidance document. Your suggestion should address why the 
guidance document should be revised or withdrawn and, if applicable, 
how it should be revised. Annually, NOP will publish, both in the 
Federal Register and on its Web site, a list of possible topics for 
future guidance document development or revision during the next year. 
You can comment on this list (e.g., by suggesting alternatives or 
making recommendations on the topics that NOP is considering). To 
participate in the development and issuance of guidance documents 
through one of these mechanisms described above, you should contact the 
program. If NOP agrees to draft or revise a guidance document, you can 
participate in the development of that guidance document under the 
procedures described below.

What Are NOP's Procedures for Developing and Issuing Guidance 
Documents?

    Before NOP prepares a draft of a Level 1 guidance document, NOP can 
seek or accept early input from individuals or groups outside the 
program. For example, NOP can do this by participating in or holding 
public meetings and workshops. After NOP prepares a draft of a Level 1 
guidance document, NOP will publish a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing that the draft guidance document is available. NOP will then 
post the draft guidance document on the NOP website and make it 
available in hard copy on request and invite your comment on the draft 
guidance document. To submit your comments, see the paragraph ``How 
should you submit comments on a guidance document?'' below. After NOP 
prepares a draft of a Level 1 guidance document, NOP can also hold 
public meetings or workshops or present the draft guidance document to 
an advisory committee for review. After providing an opportunity for 
public comment on a Level 1 guidance document, NOP will review all 
comments received and prepare the final version of the guidance 
document incorporating suggested changes when appropriate. NOP will 
then publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the 
guidance document is available, post the guidance document on the NOP 
website and make it available in hard copy on request, and implement 
the guidance. After providing an opportunity for comment, NOP may 
decide that it should issue a revised draft of the guidance document. 
In this case, NOP will follow the applicable steps listed in the 
paragraph describing how NOP develops and issues guidance documents. 
NOP will not seek your comment before it implements a Level 1 guidance 
document if NOP determines that prior public participation is not 
feasible or appropriate. When public participation is determined 
infeasible or inappropriate, NOP will prepare a guidance document, 
publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the guidance 
document is available on request, post the guidance document on the NOP 
website and make it available in hard copy, immediately implement the 
guidance document; and invite your comment when it issues or publishes 
the guidance document. If NOP receives comments on the guidance 
document, NOP will review those comments and revise the guidance 
document when appropriate. If a version is revised, the new version 
will be placed on the NOP website.

Procedures for Developing and Issuing Level 2 Guidance Documents.

    After NOP prepares a Level 2 guidance document, NOP will post the 
guidance document on the NOP website and make it available in hard copy 
on request, immediately implement the guidance document, unless 
indicated otherwise when the document is made available, and invite 
your comment on the Level 2 guidance document. If NOP receives comments 
on a Level 2 guidance document, NOP will review those comments and 
revise the document if appropriate. If revised, the new version will be 
placed on the NOP website. You may comment on any guidance document at 
any time, using the procedures described below. NOP will revise 
guidance documents in response to your comments when appropriate.

How Should You Submit Comments on a Guidance Document?

    If you choose to submit comments on any guidance document, you must 
send your comments to: USDA/AMS/TMP/NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, 
Room 4008 South, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. NOP may 
designate an electronic e-mail address for the purpose of receiving 
electronic comments on guidance documents. Comments should identify the 
docket number on the guidance document, if such a docket number exists. 
For documents without a docket number, the title of the guidance 
document should be included. Comments will be available to the public 
in accordance with NOP's public comment access policy.

What Standard Elements Must NOP Include in a Guidance Document?

    A guidance document must include the term ``guidance'' and identify 
that NOP is issuing the document. The guidance document must identify 
the activity to which and the people to whom the document applies. The 
document must prominently display a statement of the document's 
nonbinding effect and include the date it is issued as well as its 
effective date. The document should note if it is a revision to a 
previously issued guidance and identify the document being replaced, 
and contain the word ``draft'' if the document is a draft guidance. 
Guidance documents will not use mandatory language such as ``shall,'' 
``must,'' ``required,'' or ``requirement,'' unless NOP is quoting from 
existing statutory or regulatory requirements. (Note that draft 
guidance documents that are the product of international negotiations 
may not follow these standard elements, however, any final guidance 
document issued according to this provision must contain these standard 
elements described in this paragraph.)

Who, Within NOP, Can Approve Issuance of Guidance Documents?

    The NOP will have written internal procedures for the approval of 
guidance documents. Those procedures will ensure that issuance of all 
documents is approved by appropriate NOP and AMS staff.

How Will NOP Review and Revise Existing Guidance Documents?

    The NOP will periodically review existing guidance documents to 
determine whether they need to be changed or withdrawn. When 
significant changes are made to an applicable statute or regulation, 
NOP will review and, if appropriate, revise

[[Page 5135]]

guidance documents relating to the change in statute or regulation. 
Also, as discussed above, you may at any time suggest that NOP revise a 
guidance document.

How Will NOP Ensure That NOP Staff Is Following These GGP's?

    All current and new NOP employees involved in the development, 
issuance, or application of guidance documents will be trained 
regarding the program's GGP's. NOP will monitor the use of guidance 
documents by NOP staff to ensure that GGP's are being followed in the 
absence of an approved alternative approach.

How Can You Get Copies of NOP Guidance Documents?

    NOP will make copies available in hard copy on request and through 
the NOP website.

How Will NOP Keep You Informed of the Guidance Documents That Are 
Available?

    NOP will maintain on its website a list of all current guidance 
documents. New documents will be added to this list within 30 days of 
issuance. Annually, NOP will publish in the Federal Register its 
comprehensive list of guidance documents. The comprehensive list will 
identify documents that have been added to the list or withdrawn from 
the list since the previous comprehensive list. NOP's guidance document 
lists will include the name of the guidance document, issuance and 
revision dates, and information on how to obtain copies of the 
document.

What Can You Do If You Believe That Someone at NOP Is Not Following 
These GGP's?

    If you believe that someone at NOP did not follow the procedures in 
this section or that someone at NOP treated a guidance document as a 
binding requirement, you should contact that person's supervisor. If 
the issue cannot be resolved, you should contact the next highest 
supervisor. If you are unable to resolve the issue, you may ask the 
Deputy Administrator for Transportation and Marketing Programs, or the 
Administrator of AMS to become involved.

    Dated: January 26, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1748 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P


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