7 C.F.R. §§ 800.135–800.139

General. Any interested person may request appeal inspection or Board appeal inspection services, except as provided for in § 800.86(c)(5). When more than one interested person requests an appeal inspection or Board appeal inspection service, the first person to file is the applicant of record. Only one appeal inspection may be obtained from any original inspection or reinspection service. Only one Board appeal inspection may be obtained from an appeal inspection. Board appeal inspections will be performed on the basis of the official file sample. Board appeal inspections are not available on stowage examination services.

Kind and scope of request. An appeal inspection service is limited to the kind and scope of the original or reinspection service; or, in the case of a Board Appeal inspection service, the kind and scope of the appeal inspection service. If the request specifies a different kind or scope, the request shall be dismissed but may be resubmitted as a request for original services: Provided, however, that an applicant for service may request an appeal or Board Appeal inspection of a specific factor(s), official grade and factors, or official criteria. In addition, appeal and Board Appeal inspections for grade may include a review of any pertinent factor(s), as deemed necessary by official personnel. Official criteria are considered separately from official grade or official factors when determining kind and scope. When requested, an appeal inspection for grade, or official factors, and official criteria may be handled separately even though both results are reported on the same certificate. Moreover, an appeal inspection may be requested on the inspection results when both inspection and Class X weighing results are reported on a combination inspection and Class X weight certificate.

General. Requests shall be filed with the field office responsible for the area in which the original service was performed. Requests for Board appeal inspections may be filed with the Board of Appeals and Review or the field office that performed the appeal inspection. All requests shall include the information specified in § 800.46. Verbal requests shall be confirmed in writing when requested by official personnel as specified in § 800.46. Copies of request forms may be obtained from the field office upon request. If at the time the request is filed the documentation required by § 800.46 is not available, official personnel may, at their discretion, withhold service pending the receipt of the required documentation. An appeal inspection certificate will not be issued unless (1) documentation requested under § 800.46 has been submitted or (2) office personnel determine that sufficient information has been made available so as to perform the request. A record that sufficient information has been made available must be included in the record of the official service.

Filing requirements. Requests will be considered filed on the date they are received by official personnel. A record shall be maintained for all requests. Requests must be filed (1) before the grain has left the specified service point where the grain was located when the original inspection was performed, (2) no later than the close of business on the second business day following the date of the last inspection, and (3) before the identity of the grain has been lost. If a representative file sample as prescribed in § 800.82 is available, official personnel may waive the requirements pursuant to this paragraph. The requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section may be waived only upon written consent of the applicant and all interested persons. The requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section may be waived at the request of the applicant or other interested persons. The requirement of paragraph (b)(2) of this section may also be waived upon satisfactory showing by an interested person of evidence of fraud or that because of distance or other good cause, the time allowed for filing was not sufficient. A record of each waiver shall be included in the record of the appeal inspection service.

Appeal. Appeal inspection services shall be performed by the field office responsible for the area in which the original inspection was performed.

Board appeal. Board appeal inspection services shall be performed only by the Board of Appeals and Review. The field office that performed the appeal inspection service will act as a liaison between the Board of Appeals and Review and the applicant.

General. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) of this section, official certificate shall be issued according to § 800.160 and the instructions. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, only the results of the appeal inspection service shall be reported.

Results of material portion sublots. When results of an appeal inspection performed by a field office or the Board of Appeals and Review on a material portion do not detect a material error, they shall be averaged with the previous inspection results recorded on the official inspection log for the identified sample. For purposes of this section, a material error is defined as results differing by more than two standard deviations. The appeal or Board appeal inspection result shall replace the previous inspection results recorded on the official inspection log for the identified sample if a material error is detected. No certificate will be issued unless requested by the applicant or deemed necessary by inspection personnel.

Required statements. Each appeal certificate shall show the statements required by this section, § 800.161, and applicable instructions.

Finality of Board appeal inspections. A Board appeal inspection will be the final appeal inspection service.