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CDFA and CalEPA Regulatory Alignment Study

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is working with Crowe LLP and their partner, Blankinship & Associates, (collectively, Crowe) to conduct a regulatory alignment study. CDFA, in collaboration with the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), are working with Crowe to evaluate agriculture's food safety and water quality regulatory reporting requirements as part of an effort to streamline the administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state. As part of the process, Crowe will map current CDFA and State Water Board ag-related food safety and water quality reporting requirements and prepare a final report with recommendations. The study is projected to be completed by 2025.

Regulatory Alignment Concept Paper Released May 2024

Crowe released the Regulatory Alignment Concept Paper (Concept Paper) and Concept Paper Executive Summary to provide Crowe’s initial proposed regulatory pathways (i.e., proposals) for consideration by CDFA, CalEPA, Water Boards, and all interested parties. The Concept Paper and Concept Paper Executive Summary represent a starting point for further feedback and do not reflect Crowe’s final recommendations, prioritization, or implementation plans. See documents below:

• Regulatory Alignment Concept Paper Executive Summary
• Regulatory Alignment Concept Paper
• Appendix A – Program Focus Area Graphs
• Appendix B – Selected Key Regulations Related to Data and Information Sharing
• Appendix C – Cross-Program Regulatory Pathways and Collaboration
• Appendix D – Acronyms and Abbreviations Glossary

Program Workshops for 2024

Crowe invites all interested parties to review the Concept Paper and provide feedback through a series of webinars, workshops and written comments. The goal of the workshops is to gather feedback and comments that will help further define opportunities to streamline regulatory alignment for state policies and programs.

Webinars

• Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 am
  Zoom Registration Link
  Password: CDFA2024!
• Thursday, May 30, 2024, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  Zoom Registration Link
  Password: CDFA2024!

Produce Safety Program (PSP) Workshop Sessions

• PSP Session 1: Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Registration Link
• PSP Session 2: Thursday, July 11, 2024, 4:00 – 6:00 PM – Registration Link

• ILRP Session 1: Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 2:00 – 5:00 PM – Registration Link
• ILRP Session 2: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 3:00 – 6:00 PM – Registration Link

• CAF Session 1: Thursday, June 20, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Registration Link
• CAF Session 2: Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 4:00 – 6:00 PM – Registration Link

• SWO Session 1: Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Registration Link
• SWO Session 2: Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 4:00 – 6:00 PM – Registration Link

Regulatory Alignment Study Milestones Achieved

• Information Session on May 18th, 2023.
  Watch the Recording
  View the Presentation Slides
  Read the full Press Release


• Listening sessions were conducted throughout 2023.
  The listening sessions gathered interested parties and community input on experiences related to meeting food safety and water quality regulatory requirements.


• Study update released January 2024.
  The Study update provides details on key milestones to date including the evaluation of regulatory requirements, an overview of the listening sessions, as well as next steps for the release of the Concept Paper and workshops for 2024.
  Please read the full study update for more information.


• Regulatory Alignment Concept Paper Released May 2024.
  Crowe released the Concept Paper and Concept Paper Executive Summary to provide Crowe's initial proposed regulatory pathways (i.e., proposals) for consideration by CDFA, CalEPA, Water Boards, and all interested parties. The Concept Paper and Concept Paper Executive Summary represent a starting point for further feedback and do not reflect Crowe’s final recommendations, prioritization, or implementation plans.