50 CFR Part 260 — Inspection and Certification

PART 260—INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION Authority: Sec. 6, 70 Stat. 1122, 16 U.S.C. 742e; secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, 1090 as amended; 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (84 Stat. 2090). Source: 89 FR 101504, Dec. 16, 2024, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—Inspection and Certification of Establishments, Fishery Products, and Other Marine Ingredients § 260.1 Administration of regulations. The Secretary of the Department of Commerce is charged by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 with the administration of the regulations in this part, except that they may delegate any or all of such functions to any officer or employee of the National Marine Fisheries Service (the Agency Definitions § 260.2 Terms defined. Words in the regulations in this part in the singular form shall be deemed to import the plural and vice versa, as the case may demand. For the purposes of the regulations in this part, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings: Acceptance number Act et seq., et seq. Administrator Agency Applicant Approved Establishment Certificate of loading Certificate of sampling Class Condition Cross-Licensed Inspector Department Director Establishment Fish Fishery product Inspection certificate Inspection service (1) The performance of sampling pursuant to the regulations in this part; (2) The determination pursuant to the regulations and requirements in this part: (i) Assessing compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements pertaining to the interstate commerce of fish and fishery products or other marine ingredients for human or animal food; (ii) Identifying the essential characteristics such as style, type, size, or identity of any fish or fishery product or other marine ingredient; or (iii) Assessing the class, quality, and condition of any fish or fishery product or other marine ingredient, including the condition of the container thereof by the examination of appropriate samples; (3) The issuance of any certificates of sampling, inspection certificates, or certificates of loading of a fish or fishery product or other marine ingredient, or any report relative to any of the foregoing; or (4) The performance by an inspector of any related services, such as: (i) Observing the preparation of the product from its raw state through each step in the entire process; (ii) Observing the conditions under which the product is being harvested, prepared, handled, stored, processed, packed, preserved, transported, or held; (iii) Observing the sanitation conditions as a prerequisite to the inspection of the processed product, either on a contract basis or periodic basis; (iv) Check-loading the inspected processed product in connection with the marketing of the product; or (v) Conducting any other type of service of a consultative or advisory nature related herewith as outlined in the NMFS Fishery Products Inspection Manual. Inspector Interested party Licensed sampler Lot (1) For processors who manufacture fish and fishery products or other marine ingredients, a lot is a production unit as defined by mutual agreement between the processor and SIP, consisting of fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients of the same type, style, form and size, which have been marked or labeled as such and produced under conditions as nearly uniform as possible, during a single 8 hour shift (or as defined and approved) on an individual processing line. (2) For establishments that receive fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients and perform no additional processing, such as distribution warehouses and foodservice distributors, a lot is defined by mutual agreement between the establishment and SIP and must consist of fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients located in a discrete grouping that consists of fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients of the same type, style and size and are marked or labeled as such. Except that: Fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients located in separate groups that differ from each other as to grade or other factors may be deemed as separate lots in some cases, for example: (i) Fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients located in the same group bearing an identification mark different from other containers in that group may be deemed as separate lots; (ii) Containers of fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients in a group bearing an identification mark different from other containers in that group, if determined to be of lower grade or deficient in other factors, may be deemed as separate lots; or (iii) If the applicant requests more than one inspection certificate covering different portions of a lot, the quantity of the product covered by each certificate shall be deemed a separate lot. Marine ingredient NMFS Fishery Products Inspection Manual (SIP Manual) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/seafood-commerce-certification/seafood-inspection-manual, Officially drawn sample Person Processing Product Quality Rejection number Sample Sample unit Sampling Seafood Inspection Program (SIP) Secretary Shipping container Unofficially drawn sample Wholesome § 260.3 Designation and use of official certificates, memoranda, marks, other identifications, and devices for purposes of the Agricultural Marketing Act. Section 203(h) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 provides criminal penalties for various specified offenses relating to the misuse of official certificates, memoranda, marks or other identifications and devices for making such marks or identifications, issued or authorized under section 203 of said Act, and certain misrepresentations concerning the inspection or grading of agricultural products under said section. For the purposes of said section and the provisions in this part, the terms listed below shall have the respective meanings specified: Official certificate Official device Official identification Official insignia Official document Inspection Service § 260.4 Where inspection service is offered. Inspection services may be furnished where an inspector, cross-licensed inspector, or licensed sampler is available and when the establishment's facilities and conditions are appropriate for the conduct of such service. This location can include, but is not limited to, SIP regional and field offices, warehouses, processing facilities, docks, and vessels, as detailed in the SIP Manual. § 260.5 Who may obtain inspection service. Any person engaged in the processing, shipping or receiving of fish and fishery products or other marine ingredients in interstate commerce may apply for inspection service. § 260.6 Application for inspection service. Prospective service participants must submit an application for inspection service per the Application for Inspection Services procedures in the SIP Manual. To be considered for approval, applications for inspection service must be complete and conform to all SIP inspection service requirements as specified in the SIP Manual. § 260.7 Rejection of application for inspection service. Applicants will be notified if an Application for Inspection Service is rejected. Inspection Service applications may be rejected when: (a) the application is incomplete or in contravention of regulations and/or policy; (b) there is a noncompliance with NOAA financial policy, such as nonpayment for previous inspection services rendered; (c) the fish or fishery product or other marine ingredient is not properly identified; or (d) it appears that the performance of the inspection service would not be in the best interests of the Government. § 260.8 Withdrawal of an application for inspection service. The applicant may withdraw an Application for Inspection Service at any time before the inspection is performed, provided that the applicant shall pay for all costs and expenses which have been incurred by the inspection service in connection with such application. § 260.9 Disposition of inspected samples. Any product sample that has been used for inspection may be returned to the applicant, at its request and expense; otherwise it shall be destroyed or, when appropriate, diverted to a charitable institution. § 260.10 Basis of inspection, grade and compliance assessment. (a) Finished product inspection and certification services shall be performed on the basis of the specifications deemed appropriate by SIP. (b) Unless otherwise approved by SIP, compliance with the appropriate specifications shall be determined by evaluating the product, or sample, in accordance with the product inspection and quality assessment procedures outlined in the SIP Manual. Provided, (1) Such sample complies with the applicable standards of quality promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (2) Such sample complies with the product description; (3) Such sample meets the indicated grade with respect to factors of quality which are not rated by score points; and (4) The number of sample units classed as deviants does not exceed the applicable acceptance number indicated in the sampling plans approved and used. A “deviant,” as used in this paragraph, means a sample unit that falls below the indicated grade or specification parameter. § 260.11 Order of inspection service. Inspection services shall be performed, insofar as practicable, in the order in which Application for Inspection Service is made, except that precedence is given first to the United States (including, but not limited to, any instrumentality or agency thereof); second, to an inspection contract holder; and third, to an interested party without an inspection contract. § 260.12 Financial interest of inspector. No inspector shall inspect any product in which s/he has a direct or indirect financial interest. § 260.13 Official forms for inspection services. Inspection certificates, memoranda, reports and other documents associated with inspection services shall only be issued on forms approved by the Agency. § 260.14 Issuance of certificates. Inspection Certificates and Certificates of Loading may be issued by an inspector authorized by the Agency to affix their signature to a certificate that has been prepared in accordance with the documented evidence in connection with the inspection service provided. § 260.15 Issuance of corrected certificates. When an issued inspection certificate contains errors or otherwise requires revision, the inspector who issued the original document or another employee of the Agency may issue a corrected inspection certificate. The corrected certificate will supersede the original document, which will become null and void after the issuance of the corrected certificate. § 260.16 Issuance of an inspection report in lieu of an inspection certificate. A written report in lieu of an inspection certificate may be issued by an inspector when such action appears to be more suitable than an inspection certificate. § 260.17 Retention and provision of inspection certificates. Inspection certificate copies or other documents issued under the regulations in this part shall be retained by the Agency in accordance with Agency record retention policies. The original certificate (electronic or other) or copy is provided to the inspection service requester, and copies may be provided to other interested parties as identified by the Agency. § 260.18 Report of inspection results prior to issuance of formal report. Upon request by any interested party and approval by the Agency, the interim inspection findings may be provided. Appeal Service § 260.19 Requesting an appeal. (a) An application for an appeal may be made by any interested party who has cause to disagree with the results of a product inspection or audit finding. An official appeal inspection of a product inspection may only be performed when the lot of fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients can be positively identified by the inspection service as the lot from which officially drawn samples were previously inspected. (b) Such application shall be made in adherence with the SIP Manual and shall be made within 30 days following the day on which the previous result was communicated, except that upon approval by SIP the time may be extended. § 260.20 Withdrawing an appeal application. An application for appeal may be withdrawn by the applicant at any time before the appeal service is performed, provided that the applicant shall pay for all costs and expenses which have been incurred by the inspection service in connection with such application. § 260.21 Declining an appeal application. A request for an appeal may be declined when: (a) The reasons for the appeal are frivolous or not substantial; (b) The quality or condition of the product has undergone a material change since the inspection covering the product on which an appeal inspection is requested; (c) The lot relative to which an appeal inspection is requested is not, or cannot be made, accessible for the selection of officially drawn samples; (d) The lot relative to which an appeal inspection is requested cannot be positively identified by the inspector as the lot from which officially drawn samples were previously inspected; or (e) There is noncompliance with the regulations in this part. The applicant shall be notified promptly if a request for appeal is declined, as outlined in the SIP Manual. § 260.22 Appeal inspector selection protocol. (a) An inspector who did not perform the original product inspection shall be assigned to perform the appeal service; provided that the inspector who made the original product inspection on which an appeal is requested may be authorized to draw the samples when another inspector or licensed sampler is not available in the area where the product is located. (b) Whenever practical, the appeal service shall be conducted jointly by two inspectors. § 260.23 Appeal documentation. (a) After an appeal service has been completed, the results will be recorded on an appropriate document, as outlined in the SIP Manual. Any appeal document shall supersede the certificate or report previously issued for the product or establishment involved. (b) The superseded document shall become null and void upon the issuance of the appeal document and shall no longer represent the quality or condition of the product, system, or establishment described therein. (c) If the original document and all copies have not been returned to the inspector(s) performing the appeal service, the appeal document shall be issued to the person(s) the inspector(s) considers necessary to prevent misuse of the superseded document. (d) All provisions in this regulation concerning the use, issuance and disposition of inspection certificates shall apply to appeal inspection certificates, except that electronic copies of the appeal inspection certificates shall be furnished to all interested parties who received the superseded certificate. Licensing of Inspectors and Samplers § 260.24 Inspectors. (a) Federal Government employees licensed or authorized as inspectors will perform inspections. (b) In addition, qualified persons may be employed and licensed (Cross-Licensee) by the Agency to perform specified inspection services under a joint Federal-State inspection service arrangement. (c) An Inspector or Cross-Licensee shall perform their duties pursuant to the regulations in this part as directed by the Director. § 260.25 Licensed samplers. (a) Any person deemed to have the necessary qualifications may be approved as a licensed sampler. (b) Licensed samplers are authorized to draw samples, to confirm the identity of the lot, and assess the condition of containers in the lot. (c) Licensed samplers are not authorized to inspect fish or fishery products or other marine ingredients. § 260.26 Suspension or revocation of licensed inspector or licensed sampler. In adherence to Federal and Agency requirements, the Agency may suspend or revoke the license of a licensed inspector or licensed sampler when deemed necessary, as outlined in the SIP Manual. § 260.27 Surrender of license. Upon suspension, revocation and/or termination of the services of a licensed inspector and/or licensed sampler, or in the case of an expired license, the licensee shall surrender their license to the Agency. Sampling § 260.28 Sampling plans and procedures. (a) When finished product inspections of fish and fishery products and other marine ingredients are performed, the Sampling Plans and Sampling Procedures set forth in the SIP Manual will be followed. (b) Defined lots of product must be accessible, allowing thorough and proper sampling in accordance with the regulations of this part. Failure to make lots accessible for proper sampling shall be sufficient cause for postponing or canceling inspection service. (c) Lots must be readily identifiable; if lots to be sampled are not suitably identified, the inspector or licensed sampler will mark the lot in a manner prescribed by the agency in the regulations and in the SIP Manual. (d) Samples shall be furnished for inspection at no cost to the Agency. (e) A certificate of sampling shall be prepared and signed by the inspector or licensed sampler. (f) Officially drawn samples shall be marked by the Agency representative so such samples can be properly identified for inspection. § 260.29 Shipment of samples. Samples that require shipment to an Inspection Office shall be shipped in a manner to avoid, if possible, any material change in the quality or condition of the product. Costs associated with shipments shall be at the expense of the applicant. Fees and Charges § 260.30 Inspection fees, payment guarantees, charges and payments. (a) A schedule of fees, charges, payment guarantees and payments for inspection services shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of the regulations in this part and the Financial Policy provided in the SIP Manual. (b) The Schedule of Fees to be charged and collected for any inspection service performed under the regulations of this part will be determined annually, or as required, and published as a Notice in the Federal Register (c) Fees for inspection under a cooperative agreement with any State or person shall be transferred and collected in accordance with the terms of such agreement. Such portion of the fees collected under a cooperative agreement as may be due the United States shall be remitted in accordance with this section and the Financial Policy as provided in the SIP Manual. (d) Charges may be made to cover the cost of travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the performance of any inspection service, including appeal inspections, as provided in the SIP Manual. (e) Inspection services may be made on a contract basis or via a memorandum of understanding with other Federal and State entities pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, provided the Agency is reimbursed for the full cost of such service. (f) For each calendar year, SIP will calculate the rate for services, per hour per program employee, using the following formulas: (1) Regular rate. (2) Overtime rate. (3) Holiday rate. (g) For each calendar year, based on previous fiscal year/historical actual costs, SIP will calculate the benefits, operating, and allowance for bad debt components of the regular, overtime and holiday rates as follows: (1) Benefits rate. (2) Operating rate. (3) Allowance for bad debt rate. (h) The calendar year cost of living expenses and percentage of inflation factors used in the formulas in this section are based on the most recent Office of Management and Budget's Presidential Economic Assumptions. (1) When an inspection is delayed because product is not available or readily accessible, a charge for waiting time shall be determined using the formulas in this section. Requirements for Approved Establishments § 260.31 Application for SIP Approved Establishment. Any person desiring to process and pack fish and fishery products and other marine ingredients as an SIP Approved Establishment must receive approval of their written and implemented food management system per the application procedures which are detailed in the SIP Manual. § 260.32 Requirements for the provision of Inspection Services for Approved Establishments. All establishments must remain in good standing in order to receive services per this Part. (a) The determination as to the inspection effort required to adequately provide inspection service at any establishment will be made by NMFS. The person-hours required may vary at different establishments due to factors such as, but not limited to, size and complexity of operations, volume and variety of products produced, and adequacy of control systems and cooperation. The inspection effort requirement may be reevaluated when the contracting party or NMFS deems there is sufficient change in production, equipment and change of quality control input to warrant reevaluation. Inspectors will not be available to perform any of the employee or management duties; however, they will be available for consultation purposes. NMFS reserves the right to reassign inspectors as it deems necessary. (b) Assessment of an establishment's good standing will be made by the Agency through systems, process, and product auditing and inspection activities, which are further specified in the SIP Manual. (c) The Agency shall not be held responsible: (1) For damages occurring through any act of commission or omission on the part of its inspectors when engaged in performing services; or (2) For production errors, such as processing temperatures, length of process, or misbranding of products; or (3) For failure to supply enough inspection effort during any period of service. (d) Approved Establishments shall: (1) Use, handle, process, store and distribute only raw materials and finished products that meet processing and sanitation statutory and regulatory requirements for food safety, wholesomeness and labeling; (2) Adequately code each primary container and master case of products sold or otherwise distributed from a manufacturing, processing, packing, or repackaging activity to enable lot identification to facilitate, where necessary, the segregation of specific food lots that may have become contaminated or otherwise unfit for their intended use; (3) Provide adequate office space in the designated establishment, if required by the Agency, and furnish suitable desks, office equipment, internet services access, laboratory facilities and equipment required to perform product verification and inspection, as prescribed by the Agency; (4) Furnish and provide laundry service for coats, trousers, smocks, and towels used by inspectors during performance of duty in establishments if required by the Agency; and (5) During all reasonable times, provide representatives of the Agency free and immediate access to the establishment under the applicant's control for the purpose of performing any and all inspection services. (e) Retention tags: (1) Any equipment such as, but not limited to, conveyors, tillers, sorters, choppers, and containers which fail to meet appropriate and adequate sanitation requirements will be identified by the inspector in an appropriate and conspicuous manner with the word “RETAINED.” Following such identification, the equipment shall not be used until the discrepancy has been resolved, the equipment re-inspected and approved by the inspector and the “RETAINED” identification removed by the inspector. (2) Lot(s) of processed products that may be considered to be mislabeled and/or unwholesome by reason of contaminants, or which may otherwise be in such condition as to require further evaluation or testing to determine that the product is properly labeled and/or wholesome, will be identified by the inspector in an appropriate and conspicuous manner with the word “RETAINED.” Such lot(s) of product shall be held for re-inspection or testing. Final disposition of the lot(s) shall be determined by NMFS and the removal of the “RETAINED” identification shall be performed by the inspector. (f) Termination of inspection services: (1) The fishery products inspection service, including the issuance of inspection reports, shall be rendered from the date of the commencement specified in the contract and continue until suspended or terminated: (i) by mutual consent; (ii) by either party giving the other party 60 days' written notice specifying the date of suspension or termination; (iii) by written notice by the Agency in the event the applicant does not meet financial obligations; (iv) by written notice by the Agency, terminating service in the event the applicant fails to meet statutory and/or regulatory requirements, or in the event the applicant fails to comply with any provisions of the regulations contained in this part; (v) by automatic termination in case of bankruptcy, closing out of business, or change in controlling ownership. (2) In case the contracting party wishes to terminate the fishery products inspection service under the terms of paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section: (i) the service must be continued until all unused containers, labels, and advertising material on hand or in possession of his supplier bearing official identification marks or reference to the fishery products inspection service have been used; (ii) all unused containers, labels, and advertising material bearing official identification marks or reference to the fishery products inspection service must be destroyed; (iii) official identification marks and all other reference to the fishery products inspection service on all unused containers, labels, advertising material must be obliterated; or (iv) assurance satisfactory to NMFS must be furnished that all unused containers, labels, and advertising material bearing official identification marks or reference to the fishery products inspection service will not be used in violation of any of the provisions of the regulations in the part. (3) In case the fishery products inspection service is terminated for cause by NMFS under the terms of paragraph (f)(1)(iii) or (iv) of this section, or in case of automatic termination under terms of paragraph (f)(1)(v) of this section, the contracting party must destroy all unused containers, labels, and advertising material on hand bearing official identification marks or reference to the fishery products inspection service or must obliterate official identification marks and all reference to the fishery products inspection service on said containers, labels and advertising material. After termination of the fishery products inspection service, NMFS may, at such time or times as it may determine to be necessary, during regular business hours, enter the establishment(s) or other facilities in order to ascertain that the containers, labels, and advertising material have been altered or disposed of in the manner provided herein, to the satisfaction of NMFS. § 260.33 Compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Approved Establishments shall comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements and provisions pertaining to the production of fish and fishery products and other marine ingredients for human or animal consumption. Miscellaneous § 260.34 Policies and procedures. The policies and procedures pertaining to the Agency's inspection services are contained within the SIP Manual. § 260.35 Approved marks, shields, stamps and official statements. As prescribed by the SIP Manual, Inspection Service participants meeting the requirements may request approval to utilize specified SIP Grade Marks, Shields, Stamps and Official Statements (collectively SIP Insignia (a) Participants as approved establishments. (i) Approved Establishment inspection mark; and/or, (ii) Approved Establishment Official Statement. Figure 1 to Paragraph (a)(1)(ii)—USDC Approved Establishment Inspection Mark (2) Fish and Fishery products and other marine ingredients that are processed under Federal inspection to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements through the SIP Approved Establishments Program and certified by an inspector as meeting the requirements of the applicable Approved Specification additionally may be eligible to bear (as applicable): (i) Grade A shield; (ii) Processed Under Federal Inspection (PUFI) mark; and/or (iii) Other official statements and/or marks, as approved by SIP, e.g. Figure 2 to Paragraph (a)(2)(i)—U.S. Grade A Shield Figure 3 to Paragraph (a)(2)(ii)—Processed Under Federal Inspection (PUFI) Mark (3) Approved Establishments will not make deceptive, fraudulent, or unauthorized use in advertising, or otherwise, of the fishery products inspection service marks, the inspection certificates or reports issued, or the containers on which official identification marks are embossed or otherwise identified, in connection with the sale of any processed products; (b) Lot inspection marks. (2) Master cases and inspection certificates for products that are submitted for inspection through the lot inspection process identified in the SIP Manual and are certified by an inspector as meeting the requirements of the applicable USDC Approved Specification corresponding with the shield, may bear one or more of the following: (i) USDC Accepted per Specifications shield; Figure 4 to Paragraph (b)(2)(i)—USDC Accepted per Specifications Shield (ii) Officially Sampled shield, e.g. Figure 5 to Paragraph (b)(2)(ii)—Officially Sampled Shield § 260.36 Revocation of approval to use inspection marks and statements. (a) Approval for use of SIP inspection marks, statements, and insignia will be rescinded when evidence indicates that processing conditions and/or product lots do not meet applicable regulatory, inspection and/or quality requirements per the SIP Manual. (b) Any affected lot(s) shall be retained and may not enter commerce unless the lot meets minimum regulatory requirements to enter commerce and the SIP insignia is removed. (c) The establishment or processor shall obtain written clearance from the Agency for the release of product lots that have been put on hold under this part. § 260.37 Compliance with other laws. None of the requirements in the regulations in this part shall excuse failure to comply with any Federal, State, county, or municipal laws applicable to the operation of food processing establishments and to processed food products. § 260.38 Identification. Each inspector and licensed sampler shall have a means of identification furnished by the Agency in his/her possession and, while on duty, present such identification upon request. § 260.39 Debarment and suspension. (a) Debarment. (1) Misrepresenting, misstating, or withholding any material or relevant facts or information in conjunction with any application or request for an inspection contract, inspection service, inspection appeal, lot inspection, or other service provided for under the regulations of this subchapter. (2) Using on a fish or fishery or other marine ingredient product any label that displays any official identification, official device, or official mark, when the label is not currently approved for use by the Director or his/her delegate. (3) Using on a fish or fishery product or other marine ingredient any label that displays the words “USDC Approved Establishment” or “Processed Under Federal Inspection, U.S. Department of Commerce”; any official mark, official device, or official identification; or a facsimile of the foregoing, when such product has not been inspected under the regulations of this subchapter. (4) Making any statement or reference to the U.S. Grade of any product or any inspection service provided under the regulations of this subchapter on the label or in the advertising of any product when such product has not been inspected under the regulations of this subchapter. (5) Making, using, issuing or attempting to issue or use in conjunction with the sale, shipment, transfer or advertisement of a product any certificate of loading, certificate of sampling, inspection certificate, official device, official identification, official mark, official document, or score sheet which has not been issued, approved, or authorized for use with such product by an inspector. (6) Using any of the terms “United States,” “Officially graded,” “Officially inspected,” “Government inspected,” “Federally inspected,” “Officially sampled,” “Grade A Equivalent” or words of similar import or meanings, or using any official device, official identification, or official mark on the label, on the shipping container, or in the advertising of any fish or fishery product or other marine ingredient, when such product has not been inspected under the regulations of this subchapter. (7) Using, attempting to use, altering or reproducing any certificate, certificate form, design, insignia, mark, shield, device, or figure which simulates in whole or in part any official mark, official device, official identification, certificate of loading, certificate of sampling, inspection certificate or other official certificate issued pursuant to the regulations of this subchapter. (8) Assaulting, harassing, interfering, obstructing or attempting to interfere with or obstruct any inspector or licensed sampler in the performance of their duties under the regulations of this subchapter. (9) Violating any one or more of the terms of any inspection contract or the provisions of the regulations of this subchapter. (10) Engaging in acts or activities which destroy or interfere with the purposes of the inspection program or which have the effect of undermining the integrity of the inspection program. (b) Temporary suspension. (2) Once a person has received a notice of a temporary suspension, a debarment hearing will be set for 30 days after the effective date of the suspension. Within 60 days after the completion of the debarment hearing, the Hearing Examiner shall determine, based upon evidence of record, whether the temporary suspension shall be continued or terminated. A temporary suspension shall be terminated by the Hearing Examiner if they determine that the acts or activities that were the bases for the suspension did not occur or will not cause serious and irreparable injury to the inspection program and services provided under the regulations of this subchapter. This determination of the Hearing Examiner on the continuation or termination of the temporary suspension shall be final, and there shall be no appeal of this determination. The initial decision by the Hearing Examiner on the debarment shall be made in accordance with paragraph (b)(l), Decisions, (3) After a debarment hearing has been instituted against any person by a suspension, such suspension will remain in effect until a final decision is rendered on the debarment in accordance with the regulations of this section or the temporary suspension is terminated by the Hearing Examiner. (4) When a debarment hearing has been instituted against any person not under suspension, the Director may, in accordance with the regulations of this paragraph (b), of this section, temporarily suspend such person, and the suspension will remain in effect until a final decision on the debarment is rendered in accordance with the regulations of this section or the temporary suspension is terminated by the Hearing Examiner. (c) Hearing Examiner. (d) Hearing. (e) Notice of hearing. (f) Time and place of hearing. Provided, (g) Right to counsel. (h) Form, execution, and service of documents. (i) The person or persons filing same; (ii) An authorized officer thereof if it be a corporation; or (iii) An attorney or other person having authority with respect thereto. (2) All documents, when filed, shall show that service has been made upon all parties to the proceeding. Such service shall be made by delivering one copy to each party in person or by mailing by first-class mail, properly addressed with postage prepaid. When a party has appeared by attorney or other representative, service on such attorney or other representative will be deemed service upon the party. The date of service of document shall be the day when the matter served is deposited in the U.S. mail, shown by the postmark thereon, or is delivered in person, as the case may be. (3) A person is deemed to have appeared in a hearing by filing with the Director a written notice of their appearance or their authority to appear on behalf of one of the parties to the hearing. (4) The original of every document filed under this section and required to be served upon all parties to a proceeding shall be accompanied by a certificate of service signed by the party making service, stating that such service has been made upon each party to the proceeding. Certificates of service may be in substantially the following form: “I hereby certify that I have this day served the foregoing document upon all parties of record in this proceeding by: (1) Mailing postage prepaid, (2) delivering in person, or (3) electronically delivering a copy to each party. Dated at________this________day of________, 20____ Signature____________” (i) Procedures and evidence. (2) Technical rules of evidence shall not apply to hearings conducted pursuant to this section, but rules or principles designed to assure production of the most credible evidence available and to subject testimony to test by cross-examination shall be applied where reasonably necessary. (j) Duties of Hearing Examiner. (1) Take depositions or cause depositions to be taken; (2) Regulate the course of the hearings; (3) Prescribe the order in which evidence shall be presented; (4) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters; (5) Hear and initially rule upon all motions and petitions before them; (6) Administer oaths and affirmations; (7) Rule upon offers of proof and receive competent, relevant, material, reliable, and probative evidence; (8) Prevent the admission of irrelevant, immaterial, incompetent, unreliable, repetitious, or cumulative evidence; (9) Hear oral arguments if the Hearing Examiner determined such requirement is necessary; (10) Fix the time for filing briefs, motions, and other documents to be filed in connection with hearings; (11) Issue the initial decision and dispose of any other pertinent matters that normally and properly arise in the course of proceedings; and (12) Do all other things necessary for an orderly and impartial hearing. (k) The record. (2) The transcript of testimony and exhibits, together with all briefs, papers, and all rulings by the Hearing Examiner shall constitute the record. The initial decision will be predicated on the same record, as will the final decision. (l) Decisions. (2) All initial and final decisions shall include a statement of findings and conclusions, as well as the reasons or bases therefore, upon the material issues presented. A copy of each decision shall be served on the parties to the proceeding and furnished to interested persons upon request. (3) It shall be the duty of the Hearing Examiner, and the Secretary where there is an appeal, to determine whether the person has engaged in one or more of the acts or activities described in paragraph (a) of this section, and, if there is a finding that the person has engaged in such acts or activities, the length of time the person shall be debarred and the processing establishments to which the debarment shall apply.

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