USDA Announces a New Process to Evaluate Technology for Official Grain Inspection

Date
February 14, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is implementing a new Inspection Technology Evaluation (ITE) process to help the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) evaluate the instrument, equipment and methodology of new inspection technology for use in official grain inspection. The new process promotes competition and transparency.

On July 11, 2022, FGIS outlined a proposed new process and solicited public comments. Commenters supported implementation of the new ITE process as an important vehicle to review the need and suitability of technology for grain inspection. FGIS is now implementing the process as proposed.

Manufacturers may submit technology they have developed for determining a specific grain factor to FGIS for evaluation. If the technology is approved, it receives a certificate of conformance, which allows for its use in official grain inspection. The process does not apply to research and development efforts before the technology is deemed fit-for-purpose.

More information about the process is available on AMS’s Inspection Technology Evaluation webpage.

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