1.

Notifying Member: United States of America

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Department of Agriculture (USDA) [1054]

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point

Email: ncsci@nist.gov

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ ], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], other: Transparency

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Food standards and labeling policy. Processes in the food industry (ICS: 67.020)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Availability of Updated FSIS Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book (2 pages, in English)

6.

Description of content: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the Agency's intent to revise the Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book. The Agency has stopped adding policy guidance to it; however, FSIS will continue to amend or remove items in the book, as necessary, to remain consistent with Agency policies and regulations. The revised Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book will provide updated information for establishments to use when creating new labels and when modifying existing labels for meat and poultry products.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

8.

Relevant documents:

·                80 Federal Register (FR) 50263, 19 August 2015

·                United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service Labeling Policies: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/labeling/Labeling-Policies

·                G/TBT/N/USA/667 – Prior Label Approval System: Generic Label Approval; Proposed Rule:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-05/html/2011-30992.htm

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-05/pdf/2011-30992.pdf

·                G/TBT/N/USA/667/Add.1 – Prior Label Approval System: Generic Label Approval; Final Rule:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-11-07/html/2013-26639.htm

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-11-07/pdf/2013-26639.pdf

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Final date for comments: 19 October 2015

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/TBT/USA/15_3992_00_e.pdf