Elimination of Requirements for Partial Quality Control Programs; Certification of Scales

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its regulations governing the certification for accuracy of scales used in federally inspected meat and poultry establishments. Under the final rule, official establishments may rely on State or local certification or data from documented procedures that demonstrate compliance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 44. This final rule addresses an issue raised after publication of the May 30, 2000, final rule "Elimination of Requirements for Partial Quality Control (PQC) Programs," by clarifying that establishments may rely on data from documented procedures, and that FSIS will verify establishment compliance with regulations on the accuracy of scales based on data maintained by the establishments.