Source: USDA FSIS, 3/16/15

On Sept. 19, 2014, FSIS published a final rule, “Electronic Import Inspection Application and Certification of Imported Products and Foreign Establishments; Amendments to Facilitate the Public Health Information System (PHIS) and Other Changes to Import Inspection Regulations” (79 FR 56220). 

This final rule amends regulations that require additional information on the foreign inspection certificate. The effective date of the final rule was Nov. 18, 2014. However, to ensure that foreign countries have sufficient time to adjust to the new requirements for certifying the additional product information, FSIS is allowing the use of existing inspection certificates until March 18, 2015. FSIS made this information available in the March 12, 2015, Federal Register at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/877380e2-4ffa-49ba-8fe4-06fff19ed97d/2015-0006.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.

A letter was issued to foreign countries advising them that FSIS would allow them to continue using existing foreign inspection certificates until March 18, 2015. To read this letter, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/3c9c0fa4-fa3c-4ae1-bfb0-0286623009f2/Import-Rule-Letter-to-Foreign-Gov.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.

FSIS previously announced the March 18, 2015 effective date for foreign inspection certificates in the Oct. 31, 2014 Constituent Update (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings/newsletters/constituent-updates/archive/2014/ConstUpdate103114).