§ 6724. Procedures for inspections
(a)
Types of inspections
Each inspection of a plant, plant site, or other facility or location in the United States under the Convention shall be conducted in accordance with this section and section
6725 of this title, except where other procedures are provided in a facility agreement entered into under section
6722 of this title.
(b)
Notice
(1)
In general
An inspection referred to in subsection (a) of this section may be made only upon issuance of an actual written notice by the United States National Authority to the owner and to the operator, occupant, or agent in charge of the premises to be inspected.
(2)
Time of notification
The notice for a routine inspection shall be submitted to the owner and to the operator, occupant, or agent in charge within six hours of receiving the notification of the inspection from the Technical Secretariat or as soon as possible thereafter. Notice for a challenge inspection shall be provided at any appropriate time determined by the United States National Authority. Notices may be posted prominently at the plant, plant site, or other facility or location if the United States is unable to provide actual written notice to the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the premises.
(3)
Content of notice
(A)
In general
The notice under paragraph (1) shall include all appropriate information supplied by the Technical Secretariat to the United States National Authority concerning—
(ii)
the basis for the selection of the plant, plant site, or other facility or location for the type of inspection sought;
(c)
Credentials
The head of the inspection team of the Technical Secretariat and the accompanying employees of the Federal Government (and, in the case of an inspection of a United States Government facility, any accompanying contractor personnel) shall display appropriate identifying credentials to the owner, operator, occupant, or agent in charge of the premises before the inspection is commenced.
(d)
Timeframe for inspections
Consistent with the provisions of the Convention, each inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness and shall be conducted at reasonable times, within reasonable limits, and in a reasonable manner.
(e)
Scope
(1)
In general
Except as provided in a warrant issued under section
6725 of this title or a facility agreement entered into under section
6722 of this title, an inspection conducted under this subchapter may extend to all things within the premises inspected (including records, files, papers, processes, controls, structures and vehicles) related to whether the requirements of the Convention applicable to such premises have been complied with.
(f)
Sampling and safety
(1)
In general
The Director of the United States National Authority is authorized to require the provision of samples to a member of the inspection team of the Technical Secretariat in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. The owner or the operator, occupant or agent in charge of the premises to be inspected shall determine whether the sample shall be taken by representatives of the premises or the inspection team or other individuals present. No sample collected in the United States pursuant to an inspection permitted by this chapter may be transferred for analysis to any laboratory outside the territory of the United States.
(2)
Compliance with regulations
In carrying out their activities, members of the inspection team of the Technical Secretariat and representatives of agencies or departments accompanying the inspection team shall observe safety regulations established at the premises to be inspected, including those for protection of controlled environments within a facility and for personal safety.
(g)
Coordination
The appropriate representatives of the United States, as designated, if present, shall assist the owner and the operator, occupant or agent in charge of the premises to be inspected in interacting with the members of the inspection team of the Technical Secretariat.