APHIS eFile Launches July 23, 2019

May 8, 2019

Dear BRS Stakeholder,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) is announcing the July 23, 2019, pilot launch of our new online permitting system, APHIS eFile. APHIS will invite those that have been issued a BRS permit or notification in the past two years to apply for the pilot program. Applicants will be invited at the end of May. BRS will fully transition to eFile in November so those applicants who join the pilot will have more time to learn the system, ensuring a seamless transition once the system is fully implemented.

This pilot release of APHIS eFile will allow BRS to test this new system in a real-world environment and to identify any potential challenges. It will allow those customers using the system to better understand how to use the system. Doing so will ultimately provide BRS stakeholders with a smoother transition between permitting systems−from ePermits to APHIS eFile.

Applicants that do not participate in the pilot release will continue to apply for BRS permits or notifications using ePermits until the full release of APHIS eFile for BRS permitting in November 2019 when all new applications must be submitted in APHIS eFile.

APHIS eFile is part of APHIS’ commitment to improving the customer experience by reducing regulatory burden and offering intuitive, user-friendly digital experiences. Starting with BRS permitting, APHIS eFile will replace ePermits for new applications and authorizations. Authorizations issued in ePermits will remain in ePermits and retain all reporting and other requirements in the system they were issued.

Questions? Reach out to us at eFile.Communications@usda.gov.