APHIS REGULATED GARBAGE REQUIREMENTS.pdf

USDA

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EXP 02/2026

United States Department of Agriculture APHIS Regulated Garbage Compliance Agreement Approval Template

The purpose of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulated garbage regulations is to protect American agriculture and natural resources by preventing the introduction and spread of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases. All APHIS regulated garbage must be handled and disposed of in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture, APHIS policies, which are written in support of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 7 CFR 330.400 through 330.403 and Title 9 CFR 94.5.

The Plant Protection Act and the Animal Health Protection Act provides authority to USDA to assess penalties for violations of regulations (7 USC § 7734 and 7 USC § 8313). Any person who knowingly violates the Plant Protection Act (PPA) (7 USC § 7701 et seq) and/or Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) (7 USC § 8301 et seq), may be criminally prosecuted and found guilty of a misdemeanor which can result in penalties, or a one-year prison term, or both. Additionally, any person violating the PPA and/or the AHPA may be assessed civil penalties of up to $594,129 per violation or twice the gross loss or gain, resulting from the violation, whichever is greater.

Establishments (e.g. companies, business organizations) interested in handling regulated garbage must submit a letter of request for approval to handle APHIS regulated garbage (see example) along with the information requested below, as applicable. See also the Procedure to Request Approval to Handle Regulated Garbage.

Establishments must comply with other Federal, State, and local requirements.

APHIS cooperates with other Federal, State, and local agencies responsible for enforcing other statutes and regulations governing APHIS-regulated garbage.

When Is Garbage Regulated?

APHIS Regulated Garbage: Garbage becomes regulated by APHIS per definition in 7 CFR 330.401 and 9 CFR 94.5 (c) when generated onboard the conveyance (ocean vessels and aircraft) only when the garbage is on or removed from the conveyance. Commingling: Garbage, trash or other material not regulated by APHIS that is or has been commingled with regulated garbage is also regulated garbage.

Notes APHIS regulates garbage when it is aboard or removed from a meansof conveyance that has been in any port outside the United States and Canada within the previous two-year period or to any port in Hawaii or any United States territory or possession in the last one-year period.

PPQ FORM 519A

JUN 2022 Initials Date 1 Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/request-approval-to-handle-rg.pdf http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f742228f86941fe1e73026f05c41f8e7&mc=true&node=pt7.5.330&rgn=div5&se7.5.330_1401 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f742228f86941fe1e73026f05c41f8e7&mc=true&node=pt9.1.94&rgn=div5&se9.1.94_15 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/Application_Cover_Letter_Regulated_Garbage.pdf

Trash is refuse that neither contains nor is visually contaminated with APHIS regulated garbage. Trash is not regulated by APHIS and is therefore unrestricted. For example, trash that solely contains empty soda cans would be unrestricted. Newspapers and magazines in the passenger cabin would also be unrestricted unless commingled with regulated garbage.

The currently approved methods of disposal (processing) for regulated garbage are use of a sterilizer, incinerator1, or grinder.2

NOTICE

D

To stay up to date with any changes in the regulated garbage program, sign up for the APHIS Stakeholder Registry.

Core List of Requirements to Handle APHIS Regulated Garbage Please ensure you have thoroughly reviewed the following core requirements, in addition to completing the establishment request for approval template (checklist) below.

1. Establishment Operating Procedures: A description of how the regulated garbage will be contained, handled, and transported in tightly closed/ sealed, covered, leak-proof receptacles (e.g., plastic bags of at least 3 mil thickness or permanently labeled containers) and a description of the color,3 tag, or label associated with plastic bags that uniquely identifies the regulated garbage handled by your establishment. See Guidelines for Writing Operating Procedures for Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage.

Uneaten meals on aircraft must be handled as regulatedgarbage, unless they are under compliance agreement for back-catering.

Garbage, trash or other material not regulated by APHIS that is or has been commingled with regulated garbage is also regulated garbage.

2. Equipment: Equipment (including, but not limited to receptacles such as dumpsters and compactors)4 used to move/store unprocessed regulated garbage must:

Be inaccessible to birds, rodents, insects, and other vermin.

Be closed 3 mil leak-proof plastic bags if bags are the method of containment.

1 Incinerators must reduce garbage to ash (other than metal and glass).

2 APHIS will advise if any alternative methods are approved.

3 Red receptacles (including plastic bags, trash cans, carts or any containers similar in size or shape to those used for medical waste) must not be used for APHIS regulated garbage.

4 Vehicles used to transport the regulated garbage must be enclosed with rigid cover.

Initials ate 06/2022 Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP personnel.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/guidelines-for-writing-op-for-rg.pdf

3.

4.

5.

Be uniquely identified outside the container and if words are used, marked with “REGULATED GARBAGE” or a similar acceptable phrase in English and any appropriate foreign language. If approved, the APHIS compliance agreement holder must ensure that these “Regulated Garbage” markings be displayed at all times during the use of such receptacles for Regulated Garbage activities includingstoring/ hauling per the compliance agreement. Containers used for regulated garbage with evidence of contamination with regulated garbage must be cleaned and disinfected according to APHIS requirements.

Be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with APHIS requirements before being decommissioned, only if there is evidence of contamination with regulated garbage. The containers must also:

(a) Not be used for any material not regulated by APHIS, unless the container’s markings have been removed; (b) Have markings obliterated if used for a purpose other than storage or hauling of regulated garbage; (c) Be moved off the establishment’s property to be repaired or decommissioned.

Compliance Agreement: Once approved, the establishment must maintain and abide by a valid APHIS approved compliance agreement (PPQ Form 519). The regulated garbage compliance agreement Request for Approval Packet consists of the PPQ Form 519 and all addenda, including the request for approval and operating procedures.

APHIS/CBP officials must be allowed to observe, during regular operational hours, all regulated garbage handling activities performed by all employees and subcontractors under the approved compliance agreement holder. All records required by this agreement must be made available to APHIS/CBP officials upon request.

Storage: Once received by the establishment, regulated garbage must not remain in the establishment’s possession for more than 120 hours without prior approval in writing from the APHIS Administrator (i.e., regulated garbage must be processed or hauled within this time frame).

Spill Kits/Cleaning and Disinfection: The dock area and the area around grinders, sterilizers, incinerators, compactors, and/or dumpsters must be kept clean and free of loose garbage at all times. All wooden surfaces in garbage handling areas (including storage areas and inside transport vehicles) must be treated so that surfaces are impervious to water and can be cleaned and disinfected. If a spill occurs, it must be disinfected using an APHIS authorized disinfectant. Refer to APHIS Authorized Disinfectants For Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage. Note: For regulated garbage contamination on aircraft and in all food handling areas, cleaning and sanitation should only be done with an EPA approved sanitizer/ detergent.

06/2022 Initials Date Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/aphis-authorized-disinfectants.pdf

6. Record Keeping: (see Guidelines for Regulated Garbage Record-Keeping and examples below:

APHIS Regulated Garbage Training Record

APHIS Regulated Garbage Collection Log

APHIS Regulated Garbage Spill Log5

7. Establishment Training Program: Follow the Guidelines for the Regulated Garbage Written Training Program including the You Tube video No Free Ride.

8. Notification of Changes: If an establishment makes changes or is aware of changes needed that deviate from the APHIS approved compliance agreement, the RG CA holder must immediately notify the local CBP or PPQ office.

9. Establishments requesting approval to process regulated garbage must use one of the following APHIS approved processors:

Sterilizer6

Incinerator Grinder Other equipment/technology approved by APHIS forregulated garbage

10. The area surrounding the establishment must be kept in generallyclean condition.

11. For updates to APHIS electronic documents, visit the APHIS Regulated Garbage website.

12. If transporting regulated garbage across State lines, the establishment must produce evidence of written communication with Federal, State, and local agencies regarding requirements for interstate transport of garbage. Refer to Procedures for Companies Requesting Approval to Transport Regulated Garbage Interstate.

NEXT: Proceed to the checklist below to continue your request for approval.

How to request an amendment to an approved regulated garbage compliance agreement (RGCA): If you are approved to handle regulated garbage under an APHIS regulated garbage compliance agreement and wish to make changes to the administrative/operational information in the originally approved RGCA, you must submit a letter of request for an amendment to APHIS, using this template to reflect the applicable changes.

5 This log sheet is used for disinfection or disinfection/sanitation.

6 The thermocouple/data logger and the sterilizer thermocouple must be calibrated annually by an authorized source (eg. technician/manufacturer).

Initials Date 06/2022 Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP personnel.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/guidelines-for-rg-record-keeping.pdf https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/aphis-rg-training-record.pdf https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/aphis-rg-collection-log-landscape.pdf https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/aphis-rg-spill-log-landscape.pdf https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/guidelines-for-rg-written-training-program.pdf https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/guidelines-for-rg-written-training-program.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wlxcIKfBE&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wlxcIKfBE&feature=youtu.be https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/regulated-garbage/ct_regulated_garbage https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/regulated-garbage/ct_regulated_garbage https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/transport-rg-interstate.pdf https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/transport-rg-interstate.pdf

Name of establishment/company (Unit #):

Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

Phone: _ Email address:

Name and title of establishment representative:

Date:

Specific location requesting approval for:

APHIS will approve the compliance agreement to handle and/or process APHIS regulated garbage if the establishment meets all applicable APHIS requirements in this template.

Type of regulated garbage handling activities (check all applicable categories):

Back-caterer Cleaner Caterer

Hauler/Cartage Firm Fixed Base Operator Storage/Transfer Station

Vessel (including Cruise Ship Operator) Military Base Processor

A. ALL ESTABLISHMENTS/REQUESTERS Current Status (Check One)

1. Does the establishment have leak-proof receptacles (including plastic bags at least 3 mil thick and/or containers)? Y N N/A

2. Does the establishment have an existing approved regulated garbage compliance agreement?

Y N N/A

3. Is this request for approval to add a regulated garbage handling activity to an existing approved regulated garbage compliance agreement?

Y N N/A

4. Have employees reviewed/viewed the required APHIS regulated garbage training/videos?

Note: All employees must be trained prior to handling APHIS regulated garbage, and must review the training annually or as often as government officials require. Records are required to be kept on file for three (3) years.

Y N N/A

5. a. Will regulated garbage be stored, locked, and secured on thepremises?

b. Is there a documented pest control program for rodents, birds, and other vermin?

c. Are tightly covered, leak-proof receptacles readily available for use to store APHIS regulated garbage?

d. Are all containers marked as required by the compliance agreement (including but not limited to REGULATED GARBAGE)?

Y Y

Y

Y

N N

N

N

N/A N/A

N/A

N/A

06/2022 Initials Date Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP

A. ALL ESTABLISHMENTS/REQUESTERS (continued) Current Status (Check One)

6. Is a spill kit that meets APHIS requirements readily available to address surfaces contaminated with regulated garbage? Please provide a photograph of the spill kit and items to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces as outlined in the document APHIS Authorized Disinfectants for Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage.

Note: A spill/disinfection/sanitation log is required to be kept on file for three (3) years, noting any spill and subsequent cleaning and disinfection/sanitation.

Important! The regulated garbage compliance agreement holder must immediately notify CBP and/or APHIS officials anytime contamination occurs outside of your establishment.

Y N N/A

7. Do you understand and concur that any article, means of transportation for off-loaded regulated garbage from the conveyance (air/maritime) or other surfaces, including but not limited to carts, pallets, machinery, handling containers, trucks, dock or warehouse surface contaminated with regulated garbage spills, must be cleaned and disinfected?

Y N N/A

8. Do you agree to clean after each use all reusable tools/equipment used for handling regulated garbage spills over a drain leading to an approved sewage system or directly into a receptacle (i.e., containment tank, plastic bag) for proper disposal?

Y N N/A

9. Does the establishment have a written local regulated garbage operating procedure?

Attach a copy to the request for approval.

Y N N/A

10. Has the establishment submitted record keeping logs (e.g. spill/disinfection/ sanitation log, training log, garbage collection log)?

Y N N/A

11. Do you understand and agree that in the event the establishment is unable to conduct regulated garbage handling activities, or is ordered to suspend its regulated garbage handling activities, then you will be required to immediately notify local CBP/APHIS officials, and all your customers of your temporary or permanent inability to handle regulated garbage activities?

Y N N/A

12. Does your establishment understand and agree to comply with all core requirements?

Y N N/A

13. Will recycling materials be separated prior to offloading the conveyance and is it specified in the operating procedures?

Note: Materials co-mingled with APHIS regulated garbage must be handled as regulated.

Y N N/A

14. NEXT: PROCEED to the request for approval questions specific to the type of regulated garbage service you are applying to provide.

15. For government use only: Did the establishment meet the above requirements to handle regulated garbage? If no, ensure you also provide additional information in the Comment Section.

16. Did you review the core requirements with the requester?

Y

Y

N

N

17. Note: To facilitate monitoring, establishments can provide advance notification to the APHIS/CBP office at (phone number) of any offloads or pickups of regulated garbage.

Initials Date 06/2022 Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP personnel.

B. CLEANERS, CATERERS, FIXED BASE OPERATORS Current Status

1. If providing service inside the aircraft or in food handling areas, does the establishment have an EPA approved sanitizer for use in aircraft or in food handling areas acceptable to the owner/operator of the air/maritime conveyance?

Y N N/A

2. If washing reusable dishware, glassware, silverware and/or trays, does the establishment use an automatic dishwasher as required?

Y N N/A

3. NEXT: PROCEED to your next category (if applicable) or to the signature page and validate your responses.

4. For government use only: Did the establishment meet the above requirements to handle regulated garbage? If no, ensure you also provide additional information below.

Y N

C. HAULERS (Cartage Firms) Current Status (Check One)

1. Are the APHIS-approved containment areas in vehicles and/or receptacles used for transporting regulated garbage also used for material that is not regulated by APHIS (for example, domestic garbage or medical waste) and are handling requirements outlined in the operating procedures?

Y N N/A

2. Do vehicles used to transport regulated garbage meet APHIS requirements? Y N N/A

3. If regulated garbage will be moved off of port/establishment premises, has a map or route been submitted?

Y N N/A

4. Is the establishment aware that they must comply with other Federal, State, and local agency requirements having jurisdiction over transporting garbage?

Important: If not, advise that APHIS regulated garbage compliance agreement approval does not exempt the establishment from complying with other regulatory agencies.

Y N N/A

5. List pickup companies/locations in the Comment Section of Checklist.

6. NEXT: PROCEED to your next category (if applicable) or to the signature page and validate your responses.

7. For government use only: Did the establishment meet the above requirements to handle regulated garbage? If no, ensure you also provide additional information below.

Y N

06/2022 Initials Date Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP

D. AIRCRAFT BACK-CATERER1 Current Status

1. Does the establishment agree to the following:

Aircraft will depart from the U.S. airport at which it arrived to a foreign destination within 3 hours of the time of arrival Aircraft personnel will maintain tamper-proof (breakable seal) compartments, cabinets, storage areas and carts in which the materials authorized for back-catering will be kept

Aircraft personnel will ensure that the meals are not removed from the conveyance unless they are removed by an establishment under an RG CA or by direct observation and handled as regulated garbage

Aircraft personnel will maintain separation of materials authorized for back-

Y N N/A catering to prevent cross-contamination or commingling with regulatedgarbage2

2. NEXT: PROCEED to your next category (if applicable) or to the signature page and validate your responses.

3. For government use only: Did the establishment meet the above requirements for back-catering? If no, ensure you also provide additional information below. Y N

The airline, aircraft owner/operator is responsible for locking/securing/safeguarding conditions of the meals allowed for back-catering.

Materials commingled or contaminated with regulated garbage will be treated as regulated garbage and must be offloaded from the conveyance in accordance with APHIS RG handling requirements.

E. VESSELS Current Status (Check One)

1. Is the regulated garbage maintained in covered, leak-proof receptacles inside the rail while on-board the vessel as required?

Y N N/A

2. Are any regulated garbage activities of the stevedores or longshoremen outlined in the vessel’s operating procedures as required?1

Y N N/A

3. NEXT: PROCEED to your next category (if applicable) or to the signature page and validate your responses.

4. For government use only: Did the establishment meet the above requirements to handle regulated garbage? If no, ensure you also provide additional information below.

Y N

1 Stevedores or longshoremen must be under the direct supervision of a trained employee or trained subcontractor under the approved regulated garbage compliance agreement when handling regulated garbage for the vessel.

8 Initials Date 06/2022 Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP s

F. PROCESSORS

(Grinders/Sterilizers/Incinerators) Current Status

(Check One)

1. For grinders:

a. Is the grinder directly connected to an EPA-approved sewagesystem?1

b. Are there other disposal methods in place for materials that cannot be processed by grinding? If yes, explain in the Comment Section of the Checklist how the regulated materials not processed by grinding arehandled/processed.

Y

Y

N

N

N/A

N/A

2. For sterilizers:

a. Have the thermocouple/data logger and the sterilizer thermocouple been calibrated by an authorized source (e.g. technician/manufacturer)?

Important: If yes, present a copy of the certificate.

b. Has CBP or PPQ verified the calibration of the autoclave or non-pressurized cooker?2

Note: The internal garbage temperature (not the chamber temperature) must be at least 212 ºF for at least 30 minutes.

c. Is a working thermocouple or other necessary equipment for verification of calibration available for determination of required temperature?

Important: Records for time and temperature on each batch must be verified that they have met minimum requirements. If minimum requirements are met, the records are initialed and dated by the operator, then signed by the supervisor. If minimum requirements are not met, the batch must be immediately reprocessed.

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

N/A

N/A

N/A

3. For incinerators:

a. Is all garbage reduced to ash (other than metal and glass)?

b. In the comment section, describe the procedure for identifying and re-burning regulated garbage not burned to ash during the initial processing.

Note: Ensure that the Guidelines for Regulated Garbage Record Keeping are being followed.

Y N N/A

4. Is the area surrounding the processing equipment kept in generally clean condition?

Y N N/A

5. NEXT: PROCEED to your next category (if applicable) or to the signature page and validate your responses.

6. For government use only: Did the establishment meet the above requirements to handle regulated garbage? If no, ensure you also provide additional information below.

Y N

1 The sewage system cannot be a septic tank or storage lagoon.

2 Verification of calibration of the autoclave or non-pressurized cooker must be conducted by CBP or PPQ at least every six months and after repairs or significant malfunctions.

06/2022 Initial Date Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/vrs/downloads/guidelines-for-rg-record-keeping.pdf

G. STORAGE ESTABLISHMENTS Current Status

1. Is/are the storage facility(ies) properly marked, including receptacles, buildings, sheds, or any exterior structure hosting smaller receptacles, and that each containment device will be clearly marked with “REGULATED GARBAGE”?

Y N N/A

2. NEXT: PROCEED to your next category (if applicable) or to the signature page and validate your responses.

3. For government use only: Did the establishment meet the above requirements to handle regulated garbage? If no, ensure you also provide additional information below.

Y N

Comment Section

ALL ESTABLISHMENTS

Comments from the checklist requiring further description, to include items that require action, if any:

Operating Procedures (see Guidelines for Writing Operating Procedures for Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage and attach separate pages as

10 Initials Date 06/2022 Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP personnel.

Request for Approval Packet In addition to this request for approval packet, please also attach the following information to the establishment letter of request to handle APHIS Regulated Garbage (insert number of pages for each item below):

1. Establishment Operating Procedures, including back-up system ( pages)

2. Establishment Training Program ( pages)

3. Establishment Record-Keeping Documents (APHIS Regulated Garbage (a) Training Record; (b)

Collection Log; and (c) Spill/Disinfection/Sanitation Log) ( pages)

4. (If applicable) Calibration Information ( pages)

5. (If applicable) Cartage route/map ( pages)

6. (If applicable) Any other addenda locally specific to the establishment orport ( pages)

Deficiencies/violations noted (attach separate pages as necessary):

Time allowed to correct deficiencies not immediately resolved:

Deficiencies resolved at the time of inspection:

Yes No

By signing this Compliance Agreement, the signatory acknowledges that information concerning his/ her establishment, including but not limited to the name of the establishment, location of establishment, and contact information with phone numbers, will be included on lists of APHIS approved regulated garbage handlers that are available to the public.

Printed Name of Establishment Authorized Employee

EstablishmentAuthorized Employee Signature and Title Date

Printed Name of Agency (CBP/APHIS) Official

CBP/APHIS Official Signature and Title Date

A copy should be provided to the establishment employee.

Check applicable box below:

Copy Provided at Visit Copy Will Be Provided After Visit By E-mail By FAX By Mail

06/2022 Initials Date Do not initial and date the bottom of each page of this template until you are advised by either APHIS or CBP