Reminder: FSIS to Implement Digital Signatures for Export Certificates in PHIS for China

As announced in the March 22, 2024, Constituent Update, export certificates for meat and poultry products (excluding casings and egg products) exported to the People’s Republic of China will be digitally signed in FSIS’ Public Health Information System (PHIS) starting July 1, 2024. 

All export certificates (FSIS Form 9060-5 series) generated through PHIS for China will be digitally signed and printed on plain paper, including a watermark, by industry personnel with PHIS access. FSIS inspection program personnel will print only upon request when industry does not have a functional printer or PHIS access.

All attestations and information as documented in the FSIS Export Library for China will be captured in the FSIS Form 9060-5 remarks section or the FSIS Form 9060-5B (continuation sheet). The FSIS Form 9295-1, all letterhead certificates, and the use of wet-ink signed security paper, will no longer be used for exports to China. FSIS inspection program personnel will not scan and upload any 9060-5 series certificates for China, as all such certificates will be digitally signed and captured in PHIS. 

Industry is encouraged to use the Industry Test Environment (ITE) to test application submittals for export to China. Testing instructions for industry are located on the FSIS website, PHIS Components page, under Information for Industry. Please note that an electronic identification account that includes identity verification steps is required for all persons who will access PHIS, for both the test environment and the live production environment. Additionally, please be advised that user domestic accounts are disabled for those who have not used PHIS in 90 days. For those new to PHIS-export, please register with Login.gov to initiate, update, or complete the electronic identification account and the PHIS enrollment process. Instructions can be found in the PHIS Industry User Guide, section 2 (Overview of PHIS).

For further guidance on PHIS export and enrollment, please refer to the following user guides:

• PHIS Industry User Guide
• Editing 9060 Records Quick Reference Guide
• PHIS Quick Reference Guide for Corporate and Establishment Management

Please contact internationalcoordination@usda.gov with questions regarding these changes. Technical questions can be directed to PHISTechnicalQA@usda.gov.

Tips for Faster Label Approval

Labels are currently taking about 2-4 business days to evaluate. 

TIP: The use of the Generic Label Advisor (GLA) in the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS) may assist establishments in determining if a label is eligible for generic approval.

Generic label approval refers to the approval of labeling or modifications to labeling that are approved by FSIS through applicable Federal regulations without the need to submit labeling to the agency for sketch approval. Generic label approval requires that all mandatory labeling features are in conformance with FSIS regulations for compliance with 9 CFR 412.2. Labels are eligible for generic approval provided they do not fall into of the following categories: 1) labels for temporary approval 2) labels for product produced under religious exemption and 3) labels with special statements and claims (9 CFR 412.1). A tool available to help establishments determine if a label is eligible for generic approval is the GLA, which is accessed through the agency’s LSAS.

The GLA is a voluntary decision tree type tool in LSAS that will ask the submitter a series of questions about the label including claims that may appear on the label. Based on the responses provided, the GLA will assist in determining whether a label is eligible for generic approval or needs to be submitted to the FSIS for sketch approval. If the label is eligible for generic approval, LSAS will generate a certificate that the user may save or print that identifies that the label is generically approved. FSIS does not accept the voluntary submission of labels that are eligible for generic approval. Establishments are required to maintain labeling records for compliance with 9 CFR 320.1(b)(10), 381.175(b)(6), and 590.200(c). 

For more information, please see the askFSIS Public Q&A: Generic Label Advisor

FSIS will continue to provide updates regarding label turnaround time, as well as suggestions to assist industry to streamline label submissions in its Constituent Update.

Upcoming Events

• June 2024 Public Meeting: National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods: June 24, 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET.
• Using Whole Genome Sequencing to Support FSIS Food Safety and Public Health Mission: July 8, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET.

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until June 24, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Requirements to Notify FSIS of Adulterated or Misbranded Product, Prepare and Maintain Written Recall Procedures, and Document Certain HACCP Plan Reassessments
• Until August 20, 2024: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Survey for FSIS Public Health Partners

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:

FSIS Notice 20-24 - Processing and Payment of Training Using the Standard Form-182, Authorization, Agreement and Certification of Training

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

• Western Samoa (Samoa)
• European Union
• Japan
• Jamaica
• Azerbaijan
• Chile
• Dominican Republic
• Vietnam
• Cuba
• Canada
• Barbados
• Dominica

Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.