The ARC 1030U Procedure – EV Program for Bovine has been updated. This document can be accessed on the LS Bovine EV Programs Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSEVBovine. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

On November 12, 2009, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) export requirements for Belize were revised to include the restrictions on fresh/frozen sheep and goat meat (ovine and caprine), meat byproduct and meat food products from animals less than 12 months of age. Therefore, participation in the ARC 1031 EV Program for Ovine and Caprine is required to export ovine and caprine products to Belize. Please visit the FSIS export website to view the requirements for Belize.

The Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to USDA Ovine and Caprine EV Programs will be updated to list Belize for ovine and caprine products.

Companies that have an approved EV Program to export ovine and/or caprine to Mexico, Canada, or Cayman Islands and who wish to export ovine and/or caprine to Belize must submit an email to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov with the following information to indicate that the applicable changes have been made to the program.

1. A statement that reference to the country has been incorporated into the approved Quality Manual. The statement must reference where this is addressed within the company's quality manual, any SOPs used to ensure the requirement is met, and records maintained to verify conformance to the requirement.

2. A statement that reference to the country has been incorporated into your product list. Remember that the product list must be submitted to ev.export@ams.usda.gov for approval prior to export of product.

3. A statement that management has reviewed the FSIS export requirements for the country and understands the requirements.

Your revised quality manual does not need to be submitted to the ARC Branch. However, the necessary changes must be made to your quality manual prior to submitting the email.

The USDA Less than 30 Months (LT30) Age-Verification Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program for Korea and Taiwan, and the Draft ARC 1030D Procedure, EV Program for Taiwan have been revised.

At the request of the U.S. exporters of beef and beef products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established for Taiwan importers a new Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program. This is the most effective way to verify that product from eligible plants will be derived from cattle less than 30 months of age. This program will be implemented upon entry into force of the new protocol for Taiwan. Information on this Program can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/QSAMarketingPrograms.

Information on the Draft ARC 1030D Procedure, EV Program for Taiwan can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSEVBovine.

If you have any questions, please contact our office.

A memorandum providing further clarification for USDA ISO Guide 65 Program Certification Bodies wishing to export organic products to the European Union is available on the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSISO65Program under Resources. The memorandum discussions definitions, dates of significance, submission requirements, and sufficiency of the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program assessment report. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

The ARC 1030X Procedure – EV Program for Specified Risk Materials (SRM)-Free Bovine Inedible Raw Materials has been updated to include information on the production of bone-derived gelatin products for export to Canada. This document can be accessed on the LS Bovine EV Programs Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSEVBovine. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) export requirements for the European Union were revised. The European Union applies the same SRM requirements to meat derived from bison as is applied to meat derived from cattle. Since U.S. BSE regulations do not apply to bison, meat and meat products derived from these species for export to the EU must be produced under an approved AMS EV program. Bison slaughtered for export to the EU on or after November 1, 2009 must comply with this requirement. Therefore, the ARC 1030C Procedure, USDA Bison Export Verification (EV) Program for Canada and EU was created. Please visit the FSIS export website to view the requirements for the European Union.

The Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to USDA Bovine EV Programs will be updated include reference to the European Union for the ARC 1030C EV Program for Canada and EU.

A desk audit and on-site audit are required for the approval of the ARC 1030C EV Program for Canada and EU. Please make the necessary changes to your manual and submit to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov for review. .

The ARC 1040 Work Instruction, Verification for EU HQB has been updated to include information addressing the verification of feeding practices and rations. This document can be accessed on the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/livestockfeedingclaimsauditprogram. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

The scope of the NVCASE Recognition for the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program has been updated to include the new EU regulations: ECC No 834/2007 and ECC No. 889/2008. Interested parties may view the letter granting the scope update on the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program Web site. An updated certificate will be available soon.

ARC 1040 Procedure, Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program has been updated to include the requirements for the new European Union High Quality Beef Quota (Quota B). ARC 1040 Work Instruction, Verification for EU HQB was created to outline how AMS will verify conformance to the EU HQB Quota. ARC 1040A Form, AMS Declaration of Carcass Evaluation was created to provide a record of carcass evaluation. All documents can be accessed on the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/livestockfeedingclaimsauditprogram. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

On July 9, 2009, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) export requirements for United Arab Emirates were revised. Effective July 17, 2009, eligible beef must be derived from cattle less than 30 months of age produced under the LT30 EV Program. Therefore, participation in the LT30 EV Program is required to export beef to this country. Beef and beef products are eligible for export to United Arab Emirates. Please visit the FSIS export website to view the requirements.

The PDF file of the Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to USDA Bovine EV Programs will be updated to include reference to United Arab Emirates for the LT30 EV Program.

Companies that are approved for the LT30 EV Program and who wish to export beef to United Arab Emirates must submit an email to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov with the following information to indicate that the applicable changes have been made to the program.

1. A statement that reference to the country has been incorporated into the approved Quality Manual. The statement must reference where this is addressed within the company's quality manual, any SOPs used to ensure the requirement is met, and records maintained to verify conformance to the requirement.

2. A statement that reference to the country has been incorporated into your product list. Remember that the product list must be submitted to ev.export@ams.usda.gov for approval prior to export of product.

3. A statement that management has reviewed the FSIS export requirements for the country and understands the requirements.

Your revised quality manual does not need to be submitted to the ARC Branch. However, the necessary changes must be made to your quality manual prior to submitting the email.

Companies without an approved LT30 EV Program:

Companies who wish to be approved for the LT30 EV Program must incorporate the ARC 1030A Procedure into their approved quality manual. Please submit an email to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov with the following information to indicate that the applicable changes have been made to your program.

1. Company name, location, and establishment number.

2. A statement that the ARC 1030A Procedure (Section 4 and 5) has been incorporated into the approved Quality Manual. The statement must reference where this is addressed within the company's quality manual, any SOPs used to ensure the requirement is met, and records maintained to verify conformance to the requirement.

3. A statement that reference to the country (or countries) has been incorporated into your product list. Remember that the product list must be submitted to ev.export@ams.usda.gov for approval prior to export of product.

4. A statement asking for a revised (or new) Statement of Verification for Product Intended for Further Processing.

5. A statement that management has reviewed the FSIS export requirements for each country and understands the requirements.

6. A statement that employees will be properly trained on the requirements of the LT30 EV Program.

Upon receipt of adequate information, the ARC Branch will list your company on the Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers for the LT30 EV Program. Your revised quality manual does not need to be submitted to the ARC Branch. However, the necessary changes must be made to your quality manual prior to submitting the email.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) export requirements for St. Kitts & Nevis were revised. Effective June 14, 2009, the restrictions on beef and beef products have been removed. Therefore, participation in the LT30 EV Program is no longer required to export beef and beef products to St. Kitts & Nevis. Please visit the FSIS export website to view the requirements for St. Kitts & Nevis.

The Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to USDA Bovine EV Programs will be updated remove reference to St. Kitts & Nevis for the LT30 EV Program.

If your company has an approved LT30 EV Program to export beef to St. Kitts & Nevis,

1. Remove reference to St. Kitts & Nevis from your quality manual. The revised quality manuals do not need to be submitted for review.

2. Remove reference to St. Kitts & Nevis from your product list at the next revision.

3. Notify the ARC Branch if your company wishes to withdraw from participating in the LT30 Program completely.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture announced today that the Audit, Review, and Compliance (ARC) Branch has been formally recognized as a competent accreditor of certification bodies involved in organic production and processing. The announcement was issued through an AMS Program Announcement (AMS No. 110-09).

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) export requirements for Belize were revised. Effective immediately, the restrictions on beef and beef products have been removed. Therefore, participation in the LT30 EV Program is no longer required to export beef and beef products to Belize. Please visit the FSIS export website to view the requirements for Belize..

The Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to USDA Bovine EV Programs will be updated remove reference to Belize for the LT30 EV Program.

If your company has an approved LT30 EV Program to export beef to Belize,

1. Remove reference to Belize from your quality manual. The revised quality manuals do not need to be submitted for review.

2. Remove reference to Belize from your product list at the next revision.

3. Notify the ARC Branch if your company wishes to withdraw from participating in the LT30 Program completely.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

The ARC Branch has updated the requirements of the USDA Never Ever 3 (NE3) Program. The revised NE3 Program requirements are now located in ARC 1006 Procedure, dated April 6, 2009. This document is available on the USDA Process Verified Program Web site at http//processverified.usda.gov. Programs previously approved under the original NE3 Program requirements may begin approving animals to the revised requirements provided an email notification is sent to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov. If you have questions regarding the revised requirements, please contact the Diana Young at 540-361-7640 x107 or Diana.Young@ams.usda.gov.

The ARC Branch has revised the following documents:

The ARC Branch appreciates the comments submitted regarding the proposed changes for these documents.

The ARC Branch has announced the creation of a new USDA Process Verified Shield. The USDA PVP Shield may only be used on promotional material representing approved USDA Process Verified Programs. All promotional material must be reviewed by the ARC Branch prior to use. Instructions regarding the use of the USDA PVP Shield are in the ARC 1001 Procedure, Section 6 (PDF). The original USDA PVP Shield may still be used on PVP promotional material. If you have questions regarding changes to this document, please contact the ARC Branch.

The ARC Branch has updated the ARC 1030 EV Program Additional Requirements.

This document is available at the Export Verification (EV) Programs Web site, under “Resources.” If you have questions regarding changes to this document, please contact the ARC Branch.

This notice is applicable to certification bodies accredited under the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program who apply the European Union organic regulation (EEC No. 2092/91).

On January 1, 2009, new European Union (EU) regulations went into effect for the production, control, and labeling of organic products. However, some of the new provisions on labeling do not take effect until July 1, 2010. EC No 834/2007 (PDF)replaced EEC No 2091/91, for product certified on or after January 1, 2009. EC No 889/2008 (PDF) establishes detailed rules for the implementation of EC No 834/2007; and EC No 1235/2008 (PDF) establishes detailed rules for the importation of organic products.

As we understand, to be eligible for export to the EU as organic, product certified on or after January 1, 2009, must meet the requirements of the new regulations. Certification bodies must ensure that product is certified in accordance to the new regulations. The ARC Branch will verify conformance during the certification body's next surveillance audit. If the certification body needs approval prior to its next surveillance audit, it may submit an application to extend the scope of its accredited program. The application for extension of scope must be submitted to ARCBranch@ams.usda.govand must include supporting documents and records.

At this time, the ARC Branch continues to work with the EU to address importation issues. We hope to have additional information soon. For questions or additional information, please contact Samantha Simon at 540-361-7640 x103 or Samantha.Simon@ams.usda.gov.

ARC Branch auditors recently completed training for the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). As a result, the ARC Branch has decided to expand the scope of the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program to include accreditation to this Standard. Certification bodies accredited under the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program who wish to apply GOTS, Version 2.0 may submit an application to extend the scope of their accredited programs. Applications for extension of scope must be submitted to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov. The application must include supporting documents and records. For questions or additional information, please contact Samantha Simon at 540-361-7640 x103 or Samantha.Simon@ams.usda.gov.

The ARC Branch has revised ARC 1030X Procedure, EV Program for SRM-Free Bovine Inedible Raw Materials. The revision includes requirements for the European Union. Information about this Program is available on the LS Bovine EV Programs Web site. Companies interested in submitting an EV Program for SRM-Free Bovine Inedible Raw Materials must contact the ARC Branch.

The ARC Branch has updated the Official Listing of Approved Companies to the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program.

Meat and meat products derived from animals produced under this program are eligible for certification by FSIS for export to the EU and Switzerland as High Quality Beef or Bison. These products do not require an AMS Statement of Verification (SOV).

Information about this program is available at the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program Web site. Companies interested in submitting a Livestock Feeding Claims Audit program should contact the ARC Branch.

The ARC Branch is proposing changes to the following documents:

The ARC Branch is collecting comments regarding the proposed changes. Anyone may submit comments. Written comments must be submitted by electronic mail to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov or by fax to 202-690-1038. Comments must be received on or before March 6, 2009. Submitted comments will be reviewed and considered when making the final changes to each document.

The ARC Branch updated the documents for the Accredited Seed Programs. The new documents include:

The documents are available on Accredited Seed Programs Web site. Companies interested in submitting an accredited seed program should contact the ARC Branch.

The ARC Branch announces 2 new auditing programs: the USDA QSA Program for Segregation of Cattle Material Prohibited from Animal Feed (QSA S-CMPAF Program) and the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program.

The USDA S-CMPAF Program provides verification through audits that U.S. companies produce bovine inedible raw materials free of prohibited cattle material intended for use as an ingredient in U.S. animal feed that is offered to rendering plants or other facilities as published in 21 CFR Part 589 Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed. The requirements of the Program, outlined in ARC 1036 Procedure - PDF, must be supported by a documented quality management system, the requirements of which are defined in ARC 1002 Procedure.

The Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program sets the requirements U.S. companies must meet so that the ARC Branch can verify their livestock feeding claims. The claims may be those of the individual company, or as prescribed by another party. Meat and meat products derived from cattle that meet the European Union High Quality Beef and Bison feeding claim are eligible for certification by FSIS for export to the European Union and Switzerland as High Quality Beef and Bison. The requirements are outlined in ARC 1040 Procedure - PDF. As an alternative, the claims may be verified through a USDA Process Verified Program.

The ARC Branch has updated the ARC 1030K Procedure, EV Program for Hong Kong. In accordance with the FSIS Export Requirements for Hong Kong, hanging tenders are now eligible for export, effective 12/10/08. Hanging tenders must be produced under an approved EV Program for Hong Kong. The updated procedure is located on the EV Bovine website.

Companies who wish to include hanging tenders in their EV Program for Hong Kong must submit an email to ARCBranch@ams.usda.gov with the following information to indicate that the applicable changes have been made to their program.

1. A statement referencing that the company will include hanging tenders in exports to Hong Kong has been incorporated into the approved Quality Manual. The statement must reference where this is addressed within the company's quality manual, any SOPs used to ensure the requirement is met, and records maintained to verify conformance to the requirement.

2. If this requires changes to your product list, remember to submit your list to ev.export@ams.usda.gov for approval prior to export of product.

3. A statement that management has reviewed the FSIS export requirements for each country and understands the requirements.

4. A statement that employees will be properly trained on the requirements of the EV Program for Hong Kong.

Your revised quality manual does not need to be submitted to the ARC Branch. However, the necessary changes must be made to your quality manual prior to submitting the email.

If you have any questions, please contact Diana Young, Audit Program Manager, at 540-361-7640 x107.

The ARC Branch has established an electronic subscription to the ARC Newsroom Web site. Subscribers will receive an email each time announcements are added to the ARC Newsroom. Please visit the ARC Branch's ListServ Web page for more information about subscribing.

Participation in ARC Branch quality systems verification programs such as the USDA Process Verified Program and the USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program that contain a source verification claim may be used to substantiate country of origin labeling (COOL) claims. For additional information about COOL, please visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool.

On November 13, 2008, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) export requirements for Mexico were revised removing the restrictions on fresh/frozen sheep (ovine) meat, carcass, and viscera. Therefore, participation in the ARC 1031 EV Program for Ovine and Caprine is no longer required to export ovine and ovine products to Mexico. However, participation is still required to export caprine and caprine products to Mexico. Please visit the FSIS export website to view the requirements for Mexico.

The Official Listing of Eligible Suppliers to USDA Ovine and Caprine EV Programs will be updated to list Mexico for caprine only.

If your company has an approved EV Program to export ovine to Mexico,

Welcome to the ARC Newsroom. This website is provided by the Audit, Review, and Compliance Branch. Its purpose is to provide the latest news and information regarding the ARC Branch and its audit and accreditation programs. Within the next couple of weeks, we will provide you with the opportunity to subscribe to the ARC Newsroom listserv. Please visit the ARC Newsroom often.