Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Export Certification: Accreditation of Nongovernment Facilities
Published Date: 1/29/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) wants to keep collecting info from private labs that check plants and plant products for export. This helps make sure exports meet other countries’ rules. If you’re involved with these labs, you can comment until March 30, 2026, and there’s no new cost—just a paperwork extension to keep things running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Private Labs Allowed To Perform Export Tests
The regulations allow nongovernment facilities, such as commercial laboratories and private inspection services, to be accredited by APHIS to perform specific laboratory testing or phytosanitary inspections that could serve as the basis for issuing Federal phytosanitary certificates, phytosanitary certificates for reexport, or export certificates for processed plant products. APHIS uses information collections (applications, equipment documentation, personnel identity, corrective action records, appeals, etc.) as part of the accreditation process.
Paperwork Extension for Export Lab Accreditation
APHIS is asking the Office of Management and Budget to extend approval of the information collection used to accredit nongovernment facilities for plant export certification for an additional 3 years. Respondents include U.S. growers, shippers, exporters, and State and local plant health regulatory authorities; the agency estimates an average burden of 3.8 hours per response, 56 total responses annually, and 215 total annual burden hours.
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