(a) Each official establishment shall participate in a plant improvement program (PIP). The PIP is intended to identify and record deficiencies in plant facilities and equipment that do not present immediate threats to plant sanitation and product wholesomeness, to establish and record due dates for correction of such deficiencies, and to record actual completion dates of correction.

(b) The MPES Form 79-032 (Rev. 09/11), Plant Improvement Program, which is incorporated by reference, shall be used by each official establishment, and will be provided by the Department.

(c) A plant official shall initial the PIP form for each identified deficiency to acknowledge management's agreement to complete the correction of the deficiency by the listed due date.

(d) Failure to complete a correction of a deficiency by the listed due date shall be grounds for application by a Department employee of a State of California Rejected tag to the deficient facility, room, or item, as specified in section 902.8 of this subchapter.