All services under these regulations are provided to applicants without discrimination as to race, color, handicapped or disabled condition, religion, sex, age, or national origin.

An application for service may be made by any individual or interested party including, but not limited to, the United States and any instrumentality or agency thereof, any State, county, municipality, or common carrier, and any authorized agent on behalf of the foregoing.

(a) Voluntary. An application for analysis and testing may be made by contacting the director or supervisor of the Science and Technology laboratory where the service is provided, or by contacting the Technical Services Branch Chief at Science and Technology Headquarters, Washington, DC. A list of the Science and Technology laboratories is included in § 91.5.

(b) Mandatory. In the case of mandatory analyses, such as those required to be performed on eggs and egg products, application for services may be submitted to the office or USDA agency which administers the program, or by contacting an inspector or grader who is involved with the program.

(a) An application for laboratory service shall be made in the English language and may be made orally (in person or by telephone), in writing, or by facsimile. If an application for laboratory service is made orally, written confirmation may be required by the laboratory involved.

(b) In connection with each application for a laboratory service, information that may be necessary to perform analyses on the processed product(s) shall also be furnished. The information shall include, but is not limited to, the name of the product, name and address of the packer or plant where such product was packed, the location of the product, its lot or load number, codes or other identification marks, the number of containers, the type and size of the containers, the analytical test requested, and the size of the sample. In addition, information regarding analysis of the lot by any federal agency previous to the application and the purpose of the desired laboratory service may be requested.

An application for a laboratory service shall be regarded as filed only when made in accordance with the regulations in this part.

A record showing the date of receipt for each application for a laboratory service or an appeal of a laboratory service shall be maintained. In addition, the requested laboratory analyses shall be recorded at the time of sample receipt.

(a) An application for a laboratory service may be rejected by the Administrator when deemed appropriate as follows:

(1) For non-compliance by the applicant with the regulations in this part,

(2) For non-payment of previous laboratory services rendered,

(3) When the sample is not properly identified by a code or other marks,

(4) When the samples are received in an unsatisfactory condition and are rejected for analysis,

(5) When there is evidence or knowledge of tampering with the sample,

(6) When it appears that to perform the analytical testing or laboratory service specified in this part would not be to the best interests of the public welfare or of the Government, or

(7) When it appears to the Administrator that prior commitments of the Department necessitate rejection of the application.

(b) Each such applicant shall be promptly notified by registered mail of the reasons for the rejection.

(c) A written petition for reconsideration of such rejection may be filed by the applicant with the Administrator if postmarked or delivered within 10 days after the receipt of notice of the rejection. Such petition shall state specifically the errors alleged to have been made by the Administrator in rejecting the application. Within 20 days following the receipt of such a petition for reconsideration, the Administrator shall approve the application or notify the applicant by registered mail of the reasons for the rejection thereof.

An application for a laboratory service may be withdrawn by the applicant at any time before the analytical testing is performed; Provided, That, the applicant shall pay, at the hourly rate prescribed in § 91.37, for the time incurred by the scientist or laboratory technician, in connection with such application and any travel expenses, telephone, facsimile, mailing, telegraph or other expenses, which have been incurred by the laboratory servicing office, in connection with such application.