NOAA Fisheries’ Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce announced proposed revisions to the implementing regulations of the Seafood Inspection Program (SIP) (50 CFR part 260).
The current regulations contained in 50 CFR part 260 have not been substantively updated since 1971 (36 FR 21037, (Nov. 3, 1971)) and presently do not reflect the changes in industry and the role of SIP since that time.
Through modernization of the current regulations, NOAA Fisheries expects to save time and improve efficiency while retaining the validity of inspection and certification results. Meanwhile, industry participants in the fee-for-service Seafood Inspection Program will experience streamlined design and decreased complexity and time associated with administrative and inspection-related procedures, protocols, and specifications requirements.
This Proposed Rule will allow stakeholders to make comments and suggestions on current inspection, grading, sampling, and certification practices so that SIP can modernize its regulations ensuring their adaptability to potential changes in technologies and product requirements. Comments will be accepted through electronic submission via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal (insert link) and by mail submission to Steven Wilson, Chief, NOAA Seafood Inspection Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, by May 28, 2024.