The Audit, Review, and Compliance Branch has been assigned responsibility for reviewing and approving companies as eligible suppliers of meat and meat products under the USDA Export Verification Program for Japan. Information for other countries is available on the main EV Programs page.

ARC 1030J Procedure outlines the specified product requirements for the EV Program for Japan. The specified product requirements must be met through an approved Quality System Assessment Program. ARC Branch personnel conduct regular audits of eligible suppliers.

Only eligible suppliers listed in the Official Listing may supply product to Japan. Eligible products must be produced under an approved Program and be identified as meeting the requirements of the EV Program for Japan. Only eligible products may be issued a Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Export certificate which includes the applicable statement as listed in the FSIS Library of Export Requirements. Eligible suppliers must submit a list of all eligible product items intended for shipment. The product list (Excel File) must be submitted in the approved Excel format. Updates to the approved product list must be made in accordance with the procedure, EV Program Updating Approved Product Lists.

Cattle received from a USDA Process Verified Program that requires age verification or from a USDA QSA Program that requires age verification are considered to meet the age verification requirements of the EV Program for Japan. A listing of approved Programs is available on each website.

The following Procedure outlines the specified product requirements for Japan: