This part consolidates the procedural and administrative rules of the Science and Technology Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service for conducting the analytical testing and laboratory audit verification and accreditation services. It also contains the fees and charges applicable to such services.

Words used in the regulations in this part in the singular form will import the plural, and vice versa, as the case may demand. As used throughout the regulations in this part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms will be construed to mean:

Agency. The Agricultural Marketing Service agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Analyses. Microbiological, chemical, or physical tests performed on a commodity.

Applicant. Any individual or business requesting services provided by the Science and Technology (S&T) programs.

Legal holidays. Those days designated as legal public holidays specified by Congress in paragraph (a) of section 6103, title 5 of the United States Code and any other day declared to be a holiday by Federal Statute or Executive Order. Under section 6103 and Executive Order 10357, as amended, if the specified legal public holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be considered the holiday, or if the specified legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be considered to be the holiday.

The Deputy Administrator is charged with the administration of this subchapter.