• On August 2nd USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Service (BRS) announced a new flexibility which permits the reuse of BRS import labels.
  • BRS administers the regulations in 7 CFR Part 340 (“Movement of Organisms Modified or Produced Through Genetic Engineering”). These regulations require a permit when certain types of genetically engineered organisms, including those that are plant pests and organisms that are used to control plant pests and pose a plant pest risk, are “moved.” Movement is defined broadly and includes importing regulated products.
  • BRS import labels are required prior to the import of regulated products. The August 2nd update permitting the reuse of labels avoids the hassle of requesting new labels even when there have been no changes to the underlying permit.
  • Regulated parties use the APHIS eFile system to manage their BRS regulatory compliance obligations.  Guidance on how to use the system is found in the APHIS 2000 Permit Application and Compliance Reporting Job Aid. This document has been updated to reflect the recent change. See p. 52.