1. PURPOSE
   This notice provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) at official import inspection establishments on actions to take when verifying the accuracy of foreign inspection certificates for imported processed (ready-to-eat and thermally processed-commercially sterile) pork products from Romania. The certificates provide assurance from Romania's Central Competent Authority (CCA) that these products were produced under an inspection system equivalent to FSIS requirements.
2. BACKGROUND
   Romania was previously eligible to export meat to the United States. However, in 2008, the Romanian government voluntarily ceased exporting meat products to the United States. Since that time, Romania has not been eligible to export any meat products to the United States. After reviewing Romania's documented raw and processed pork products inspection system and upon completion of an audit of Romania's inspection system for swine slaughter and further processing, FSIS determined that Romania maintains an equivalent inspection system for raw and processed pork products. As a result, Romania is now eligible to export processed pork products to the United States from hogs slaughtered on and after May 2, 2023.
3. IPP RESPONSIBILITIES
   1. IPP are to follow the instructions in FSIS Directive 9900.1, Imported Product Shipment Presentation and are to verify the Romanian slaughter dates on the inspection certificate are on or after May 2, 2023.
   2. When the inspection certificate does not contain certification of the slaughter dates, or the products are certified as slaughtered before May 2, 2023, IPP are to fail the Certification Type of Inspection (TOI) in the Public Health Information System (PHIS). This will initiate a refused entry in PHIS. IPP are then to refer to FSIS Directive 9900.8, Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Refused Entry into the United States for disposition.
   3. Processed pork products derived from hogs slaughtered in Romania and certified as slaughtered before May 2, 2023, are not eligible for entry into the United States.
4. QUESTIONS
   Refer questions regarding this notice to your immediate supervisor or as needed to the Office of Policy and Program Development through askFSIS or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. When submitting a question through askFSIS, complete the web form and select Import for the inquiry type.

NOTE: Refer to FSIS Directive 5620.1, Using askFSIS, for additional information on submitting questions.