The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date of publication of this notice. Comments are requested regarding: (1) Whether the 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 burden 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602.
Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by September 5, 2017. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Laboratory Approval Programs
OMB Control Number: 0581-0251
Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946, as amended, 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 as needed by the agricultural industry, to support domestic and international marketing of U.S. products. To ensure that a laboratory is capable of accurately performing the specified analyses, it must adhere to certain good laboratory practice and show technical proficiency in the required areas.
Need and Use of the Information: Checklist 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 for the analyses and quality assurance. The laboratory certification and approval programs are voluntary, fee for service, and for admission into one of these programs a laboratory must have a client who requires the specific testing. It is necessary to collect and require the laboratory to attest to the performance elements necessary to determine the credibility of the laboratory. To do less would be a disservice to the agricultural community.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 56.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 4,140.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-16334 Filed 8-2-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P