[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 74 (Monday, April 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21700-21701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9317]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2011 /
Notices
[[Page 21700]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-ST-11-0034]
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently
Approved Collection
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces that the Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS) intends to request approval from the Office of
Management and Budget of a revision to a currently approved information
collection ``Laboratory Approval Programs'' in support of U.S.
agricultural commodities.
DATES: Comments received by June 17, 2011.
Additional Information or Comments: Interested persons are invited
to submit comments on this proposal to Jane Ho, Technical Services
Branch, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0272,
Washington, DC 20250-0272; Phone 202-690-0621, Fax 202-720-4631.
Comments should be submitted in triplicate. Comments may also be
submitted electronically through http://www.regulations.gov. All
comments should reference the docket number and page number of this
issue of the Federal Register. All comments received will be made
available for public inspection at the above address during regular
business hours and may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Laboratory Approval Programs.
OMB Number: 0581-0251.
Expiration Date of Approval: December 30, 2011.
Type of Request: Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved
Collection.
Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended
(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), AMS provides analytical testing services that
facilitate marketing and allow products to obtain grade designations or
meet marketing or quality standards. Pursuant to this authority, AMS
develops and maintains laboratory certification, verification, and
approval programs (under the general umbrella of laboratory approval
programs) as needed by the agricultural industry, to support domestic
and international marketing of U.S. products. The laboratory
certification, verification, and approval programs will remain
voluntary and fee for service.
To ensure that a laboratory is capable of accurately performing the
specified analyses, it must adhere to certain good laboratory practices
and show technical proficiency in the required areas. Checklists and
forms have been developed that ask the laboratory for information
concerning procedures, the physical facility, employees, and their
training. The laboratory must also provide Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) for the analyses and quality assurance. Most of the
laboratory programs will include an on-site laboratory review. AMS will
not approve a laboratory unless there is assurance that the laboratory
is capable of performing accurate analyses.
The information collection requirements in this request are
essential to examine laboratories for entrance into the following
programs:
(1) Analyst and Laboratory Certification Program for the Detection
of Trichinae in Pork (An export program requested by Food Safety and
Inspection Service).
(2) Laboratory Verification Program for Poultry and Pork Exported
from the United States to Russia (An export program requested by Food
Safety and Inspection Service). This program contains the possibility
of performing 12 different analyses in support of the exportation of
poultry and pork to Russia. Laboratories choose how many and which
analyses for which they wish to be approved. Each of microbiological/
chemical analyses has its own methodology and time necessary to perform
the analyses.
(3) Aflatoxin in Pistachios Program (A High Performance Liquid
Chromatography (HPLC) method for exporting pistachios to European Union
requested by the California Pistachio Committee) and the domestic
program using HPLC or a test kit analysis method (identified in the
Pistachio Marketing Order); Aflatoxin in Peanuts Program (7 CFR part
996); and Aflatoxin in Almonds Program (requested by the Almond Board
of California). These programs are single analyte, single substrate
programs, but the domestic pistachio, peanut, and almond programs have
the option of using two different methods. The export pistachio program
and export almond program must use the specified method.
(4) Any additional programs which may be requested in the future to
facilitate the marketing of U.S. agricultural products.
All laboratory approval programs will follow the same general
pattern. There would be a letter of intent, a form for identification
of the analyses they intend to perform, an on-site laboratory review,
analysis of known samples, and analysis of proficiency samples. The
length of time required would depend on the complexity of the analysis,
and the time necessary to perform the analysis.
The burden hours incurred for these laboratories to submit the
initial letter requesting entrance, completion of a general laboratory
checklist, and correctly analyzing the test samples is a one-time
occurrence. Once a laboratory is accepted, the burden will decrease and
is then based on the various laboratories analyzing test samples
throughout the year to maintain its program status.
Form ST-212 (Alternate Payment Form) is an option for applicant/
approved laboratories to pay for the services. Interested parties can
obtain a copy of the form (ST-212) by calling or writing to the point
of contact listed above. The information collection requirements in
this request are essential to examine laboratories for entrance into
the programs.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 9.14 hours per response.
Respondents: Laboratories.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 83.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 653.
[[Page 21701]]
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.87.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6010.42.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Jane Ho, Technical
Services Branch, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Stop 0272, Washington, DC 20250-0272; Phone 202-690-0621, Fax 202-720-
4631. All comments received will be available for public inspection
during regular business hours at the same address.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: April 12, 2011.
David R. Shipman,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9317 Filed 4-15-11; 8:45 am]
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