Annually, producers/handlers of
organically produced agricultural products must apply for
certification to accredited USDA agents who will document adherence
to the standards as verified by on- site inspectors. The certifying
agents must request accreditation annually by sending documents to
USDA that demonstrate compliance to regulations as verified by
on-site reviews.
US Code:
7 USC 6503 (a) Name of Law: Food, Agriculture, Conservation and
Trade Act of 1990
US Code: 7 USC
6501 Name of Law: Organic Foods Production Act of 1990
The transfer of the two organic
certification Cost-Share Programs to FSA resulted in a program
decrease of 12,224 responses and 16,270 burden hours. However, this
decrease was offset with a significant increase in burden hours
(3,300,212) since the last submission due to two adjustment
changes: 1) an increase in reporting and record-keeping due to an
estimated 24 percent increase (25,000 to 31,000) in certified
operations and, 2) an increase in reporting burden for the design
and approvals of the labels based on comment received.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.