Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP)

OMB Control No: 0560-0304	ICR Reference No: 202109-0560-003
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202109-0560-002
Agency/Subagency: USDA/FSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP)
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 10/18/2021
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 09/23/2021
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 09/22/2021
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2022	6 Months From Approved
Responses	22,450	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	22,450	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: FSA will issue payments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act of up to $20 million to assist certified organic operations and transitional operations with eligible expenses related to obtaining or renewing organic certification and eligible educational expenses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these operations faced challenges due to loss of markets, increased costs, and labor shortages, in addition to costs related to obtaining or renewing their USDA organic certification, which producers and handlers of conventionally produced commodities do not incur. Transitional operations also faced the financial challenge of implementing practices required to obtain USDA organic certification without being able to obtain the premium prices associated with certified organic commodities. Further, for organic operations requesting an addition or update to their existing certification, the new land or facility must quickly move through the certification process, which typically includes an on-site inspection. Certified organic products must also meet very specific packaging and labeling requirements. Overall, this leads to reduced flexibility and unique supply chain challenges for organic businesses and farms when on-site inspections are not possible, as has often been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emergency Justfication: FSA is requesting an emergency approval on a collection of information necessary to implement the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) because we could not comply with the normal clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act to obtain OMB approval, and it is essential to the mission of USDA who directed FSA to implement OTECP to assist certified organic operations and transitional operations, who incur significant costs to obtain or renew USDA organic certification each year.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 116 - 136 Division B, Title I Name of Law: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) FSA-883, AD-2047 (OMB Number: 0560-0265) ORGANIC and TRANSITIONAL EDUCATION and CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (OTECP) ,   CUSTOMER DATA WORKSHEET

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	22,450	0	0	22,450	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	22,450	0	0	22,450	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new information collection request.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $472,230

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Yes

Agency Contact: Mary Ann Ball 202-720-4283 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 09/22/2021

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