Page Hero
Constituent Update
Friday, March 22 2024

Constituent Update - March 22, 2024

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

Starting July 1, 2024, 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). 

All export certificates (FSIS Form 9060-5 series) generated through PHIS for China will be digitally signed and printed on plain, watermarked paper 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:

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

PHIS Industry Users: Updates to USDA eAuthentication Login

As announced in the July 21, 2023, Constituent Update, the USDA eAuthentication Service launched a new login page and partnered with Login.gov to provide easy-to-use and secure online access to USDA programs and services. The transition to Login.gov is being implemented in a phased approach, with phase one having begun on July 24, 2023.

On the evening of Monday, March 25, 2024, FSIS will be launching Phase 2 of the transition to Login.gov. This phase will continue with Login.gov as optional, but all external customers with existing eAuth accounts will be prompted to switch to a Login.gov account every time they log in. These changes are being implemented to prepare users for the complete transition to Login.gov. USDA is targeting the end of September 2024 as the goal for full implementation. At that time Login.gov will be required to access USDA resources.

Login.gov is a shared service trusted by government agencies that allows the public to use one account and password for multiple participating government agencies. You can use the same username and password to access any agency that partners with Login.gov. In addition to your password, you will be required to set up at least one authentication method to keep your account secure, also known as multi-factor authentication (MFA). Login.gov uses MFA as an added layer of protection to secure your information. It is recommended that you begin using Login.gov when accessing USDA applications to enable the use of MFA as soon as possible.

To learn more about USDA’s transition to Login.gov, visit our eAuth Frequently Asked Questions and Coming Soon web page. Please visit the Login.gov website for more information.

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:

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 09-24 - Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims

FSIS Notice 10-24 - Procedures for Work-Related Fatalities, Injury, and Illness Recordkeeping and Annual Reporting Requirements

Export Requirements Update

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

  • Canada
  • French Polynesia (Tahiti)
  • China
  • Qatar
  • Azerbaijan
  • North Macedonia
  • Peru
  • Kazakhstan
  • Panama
  • Nicaragua

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

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2024