. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.00/428
15 September 2000
(00-3625)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   EUROPEAN UNION
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible:   European Commission
Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be
indicated if different from above:   EC-TBT Enquiry Point
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [    ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):   Table eggs
(HS: 0407.00.30)
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:   Proposal for a
Council Regulation Amending Regulation (EEC) No. 1907/90 on Certain Marketing
Standards for Eggs  (4 pages, in English)
6. Description of content:   Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No. 1907/90 on marketing
standards for eggs aiming at:
- compulsory marking of eggs and their packs by type of farming of hens;
- merging egg grades B (second quality or preserved eggs) and C (downgraded eggs
intended for industry) in a new class B (eggs intended for industry).
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:
(a) Type of farming:  The method by which hens are farmed has become a major factor
for consumers when purchasing eggs.  To indicate the farming method on eggs and packs
should therefore be made compulsory so that consumes are not liable to be mislead.  To that
end, only clear and unambiguous compulsory labelling can ensure that the consumer canmake an informed choice between the various classes of egg on the basis of the farming
method.  Appropriate compulsory labelling is in line with the wishes expressed by
consumers and consumer organizations.  Compulsory labelling must apply to all eggs sold
in the European Union and purchased by consumers outside the place of production.
However, in the case of eggs produced in third countries, indication of the farming method
may be replaced by certain other indications if third country procedures do not offer
sufficient guarantees as to equivalence with the technical rules and standards applicable toCommunity procedures.
(b) Second quality or preserved eggs, Class B, account for only a minor part of the
European Community market and most of the trade is geared to supplying with top-quality,G/TBT/Notif.00/428
Page 2
Class A, eggs. The classification of eggs should therefore be simplified by amalgamating
the current Classes B and C (eggs intended for industry) in a new Class B and the sale of
such eggs should be exclusively for processing purposes.
8. Relevant documents:   Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1907/90 on certain marketing
standards for eggs (OJ No L 173, 6.7.1990, p.5) and amendments.
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Adoption:  end November 2000
Proposed date of entry into force:  1 January 2001
10. Final date for comments:   60 days from this notification
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [     ] or address, e-mail and telefax
number of the other body:
EC-TBT enquiry point
DG ENTR/F/2
Fax: +32 2 299 5725
Email: EC-TBT@cec.eu.int