USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking comments by December 22, 2026, on extending and revising approval for Federal Seed Act information collection. The request concerns testing, labeling and recordkeeping paperwork for agricultural and vegetable seed moving in interstate commerce, with interstate shippers and labelers among the affected businesses.
The notice was filed October 22 and is dated for publication in the October 23 Federal Register. It announces AMS’s intention to seek Office of Management and Budget approval, not a final change to seed-labeling requirements. The existing information collection approval expires December 31, 2026.
Recordkeeping burden estimates
AMS describes the Federal Seed Act as a truth-in-labeling law requiring accurate seed-quality information. The agency says no unique forms are required for this collection. Except for requirements involving new varieties entering state seed certification programs, the collection consists entirely of recordkeeping rather than reporting.
For interstate seed shippers and labelers, AMS estimates 474 respondents and a total annual burden of 3,328 hours, averaging 2.68 hours per response. The agency says burden hours have declined from its previous submission, attributing that decrease to expanded outreach and shippers’ better understanding of the requirements.
A separate estimate covers entities seeking to enter new varieties into state seed certification programs. AMS puts that group at 27 respondents, with an estimated annual burden of 332 hours and an average of 2.42 hours per response.
What AMS wants to hear
AMS wants feedback on whether the collection is necessary, whether its burden estimates and assumptions are accurate, and how to improve the information’s usefulness and clarity. It also seeks suggestions for reducing paperwork through electronic systems or other technology.
Comments may be submitted through Regulations.gov and should identify document AMS-ST-26-1486 and the notice’s Federal Register date and page numbers, 66829–66830. AMS says comments will be posted without changes, including any personal information provided. Responses will be summarized in its request for OMB approval.
