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"BCOMMISSION REGULATION (EEC) No 1292/81
of 12 May 1981
laying down quality standards for leeks, aubergines and courgettes
(OJ L 129, 15.5.1981, p. 38)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
"M1 Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1076/89 of 26 April 1989 L 114 14 27.4.1989
"M2 Commission Regulation (EC) No 888/97 of 16 May 1997 L 126 11 17.5.1997
"M3 Commission Regulation (EC) No 1135/2001 of 8 June 2001 L 154 9 9.6.20011981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 1
COMMISSION REGULATION (EEC) No 1292/81
of 12 May 1981
laying down quality standards for leeks, aubergines and courgettes
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 of 18 May 1972
on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables (1), as
last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1116/81 (2), and in particular
Article 2 (2) thereof,
Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 1208/79 (3) and Regulation (EEC) No
1315/80 (4) added respectively leeks, and aubergines and courgettes to
Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 listing the products for
delivery fresh to the consumer which are covered by quality standards;
Whereas it is therefore necessary to lay down such quantity standards for
those products;
Whereas the standards are to apply at all stages of marketing; whereas
transportation over a long distance, storage for a certain length of time or
the various handling operations to which the products are subject may
bring about deterioration because of the biological development of the
products or their tendency to perish; whereas, therefore, account should
be taken of such deterioration when applying the standards at the stages
of marketing following dispatch;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance
with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fruit and Vegetables,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
1. The quality standards for "M1 3aubergines and
courgettes (subheading ex 07.01T of the Common Customs Tariff are set
out respectively in Annexes I, II and III to this Regulation.
2. Those standards shall apply at all stages of marketing, under the
conditions laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72.
However, at the stages following dispatch, the product may show, in
relation to the standards prescribed,
— a slight of freshness and turgescence, and/or— slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to
perish.
Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities .
It shall apply with effect from:
— 1 July 1981 for aubergines and courgettes.!B
(1) OJ No L 118, 20. 5. 1972, p. 1.
(2) OJ No L 118, 30. 4. 1981, p. 1.
(3) OJ No L 153, 21. 6. 1979, p. 1.
(4) OJ No L 134, 31. 5. 1980, p. 20.!M1
!B1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 2
!M1
ANNEX II
QUALITY STANDARD FOR AUBERGINES
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to aubergines, fruit of the varieties (cultivars) grown from
Solanum melongena L. var. esculentum, insanum and ovigerum, to be supplied
fresh to the consumer, aubergines for industrial processing being excluded.
According to their shape, a distinction is made between:
— elongated aubergines,
— globus aubergines.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements of aubergines
after preparation and packaging.
A. Minimum requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the
tolerances allowed, the aubergines must be:
— whole,— fresh in appearance,— firm,— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it
unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,— provided with calyx and peduncle which may be slightly damaged,— sufficiently developed, without their flesh being fibrous or woody and
without over development of seeds (subject to the special provisionsfor Class III),
— free of abnormal external moisture,— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.The development and condition of the aubergines must be such as to
enable them:
— to withstand transport and handling, and— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
B. Classification
Aubergines are classified into three classes defined below:
(i)Class I
Aubergines in this class must be of good quality and must possess the
characteristics of the variety. They must also be practically free from
sunburn. They may, however, show the following slight defects
provided that these do not impair the general appearance, quality,conservation or presentation of the produce:
— slight defect of shape,— slight discolouration at the base,!
B1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 3
— slight bruising and/or slight healed cracks provided that they do
not cover more than 3 cm2.
(ii)Class II
This class comprises aubergines which do not qualify for inclusion in
Class I, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.
Provided they retain their essential characteristics of quality andpresentation, they may show the following defects:
— defects of shape,— defects of colouring,— slight sun-scorched provided it does not cover more than 4 cm
2,
— slight dry superficial defects provided that they do not cover
more than 4 cm2.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
The sizing of aubergines is determined:
— either by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section on the longitudinal
axis,
— or by weight.
A. F or sizing by diameter , the minimum diameter is fixed at 40 mm for
elongated aubergines and 70 mm for globus aubergines.
The difference between the smallest and largest aubergines in the same
package must not exceed:
— 20 mm for elongated aubergines,— 25 mm for globus aubergines.
B. For sizing by weight , the minimum weight is fixed at 100 grams. The
following scale must be complied with:
— 100 to 300 grams with a maximum difference of 75 grams between
the smallest and largest aubergines in the same package,
— 300 to 500 grams with a maximum difference of 100 grams between
the smallest and largest aubergines in the same package,
— above 500 grams with a maximum difference of 250 grams between
the smallest and largest aubergines in the same package.
Compliance with the sizing scale is compulsory for Class I. In addition,
elongated aubergines must have a minimum length, excluding peduncle, of80 mm.
The size requirements shall not apply to miniature produce (
1).
IV . PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality and size are allowed in each package for produce
not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.!B
(1) Miniature produce means a variety or cultivar of aubergine, obtained by plant breeding
and/or special cultivation techniques, excluding aubergines of non-miniature varieties
which have not fully developed or are of inadequate size. All other requirements of thestandards must be met.!M2
!B
!M3
!B1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 4
A. Quality tolerances
(i)Class I
10 % by number or weight of aubergines not satisfying the
requirements for the class, but meeting those for Class II or,
exceptionally, coming within the tolerances for that class.
(ii)Class II
10 % by number or weight of aubergines satisfying neither the
requirements for the class nor the minimum requirements, with the
exception of produce affected by rotting, marked bruising, unhealed
cracks or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.
B. Size tolerances
(i)Class I
10 % by number or weight of aubergines conforming to the size
immediately below or above that specified on the package.
(ii)Class II "M2 3
10 % by number or weight of aubergines not conforming to the
minimum size. In any case, the tolerance is not applicable to
aubergines the diameter of which is more than 5 mm below theminimum diameter or, in the case of sizing weight, to auberginesweighing less than 90 grams.
V . PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A. Uniformity
The contents of each package should be uniform and contain only
aubergines of the same origin, commercial type, quality and size (wheresizing is compulsory) and appreciably the same degree of development and
colouring.
"
M2 3.
Elongated aubergines packed in the same package must be sufficiently
uniform as regards length.
Miniature aubergines must be reasonably uniform in size. They may be
mixed with other miniature products of a different type and origin.
The visible part of the contents of each package must be representative of
the entire contents.
B. Packaging
The aubergines must be packed in such a way as to ensure proper
protection of the produce.
The materials used inside the package must be new, clean and of a quality
such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce.
The use of materials, and particularly of paper or stamps, bearing tradespecifications is allowed, provided that the printing or labelling has beendone with a non-toxic ink or glue. The packages must be free from all
foreign matter.!
B
!M2
!B
!M3
!B1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 5
VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING
Each package must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same
side, legibly and indelibly marked and visible from the outside:
A. Identification
Packer and/or Dispatcher: Name and address or officially issued or
accepted code mark. However, in the case where a code mark is used, thereference ‘packer and/or dispatcher (or equivalent abbreviations)’ has to beindicated in close connection with the code mark.
B. Nature of produce
— ‘aubergines’, if the contents are not visible from the outside,— name of variety (optional).
C. Origin of produce
— country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national,
regional or local place name.
D. Commercial specifications
— class,— size (where applicable) expressed:
— either by maximum and minimum diameters, when sizing is by
diameter,
— or by maximum and minimum weights, when sizing is by weight.
— ‘mini aubergines’, ‘baby aubergines’ or other appropriate term for
miniature produce, where appropriate. Where several types of
miniature produce are mixed in the same package, all products andtheir respective origins must be mentioned.
E. Official control mark (optional)!
B
!M2
!B
!M3
!B1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 6
ANNEX III
QUALITY STANDARD FOR COURGETTES
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to courgettes, harvested young and tender, before their seeds
have become firm, of varieties (cultivars) grown from Cucurbita pepo L. (1), to be
supplied fresh to the consumer, courgettes for industrial processing beingexcluded.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of this standard is to define the quality requirements for courgettes
after preparation and packaging.
A. Minimum requirements:
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the
tolerances allowed, the courgettes must be:
— intact, including a stalk which may be slightly damaged,
— of fresh appearance,
— firm,
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it
unfit for consumption is excluded,
— free from damage caused by insects or other parasites,
— free of cavities,
— free of splits,
— clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,
— sufficiently developed without over-development of seeds
"
M2 3
— free of abnormal external moisture,
— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The development and condition of the courgettes must be such as to enable
them:
— to withstand transport and handling, and
— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
B. Classification
Courgettes are classified into three classes defined below:
(i)Class I
Courgettes in this class must be of good quality and must possess the
characteristics of the variety. They may, however, show the followingdefects provided that these do not impair the appearance, quality,conservation and presentation of the produce:
— slight defects of shape,
— slight defects of colouring,
— slight healed cracks of the skin.
The courgettes must include a stalk of a maximum length of 3 cm.
(ii)Class II
This class comprises courgettes which do not qualify for inclusion in
Class I but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.!
B
(1) Courgettes having markedly developed seeds, called ‘marrows’ in the United Kingdom
and in Ireland, are not covered by this standard.1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 7
Provided that they retain their essential characteristics of quality and
presentation, they may show the following defects:
— defects of shape,— defects of colouring,— slight sun-scorched,
— healed cracks of the skin, provided that these do not impair
conservation.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
The sizing of courgettes is determined:
— either by length,— or by weight.(a) For sizing by length, this is measured between the junction of the stalk and
the end of the fruit, according to the following scale:
— 7 cm to 14 cm inclusive,
— 14 cm (exclusive) to 21 cm (inclusive),
— 21 cm (exclusive) to 30 cm.
(b) For sizing by weight, the following scale must be respected:
— 50 g to 100 g (inclusive),
— 100 g (exclusive) to 225 g (inclusive),
— 225 g (exclusive) to 450 g.
The size requirements shall not apply to miniature produce (1).
IV . PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality and size are allowed in each package for produce
not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A. Quality tolerances
(i)Class I
10 % by number or weight of courgettes not satisfying the
requirements of the class but meeting the requirements for Class II,
or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances for that class.
(ii)Class II
10 % by number or weight of courgettes satisfying neither the
requirements for the class nor the minimum requirements, with the
exception of produce affected by rotting, marked bruising, unhealed
cracks or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.!B
(1) Miniature produce means a variety or cultivar of aubergine, obtained by plant breeding
and/or special cultivation techniques, excluding aubergines of non-miniature varieties
which have not fully developed or are of inadequate size. All other requirements of thestandards must be met.!M2
!B
!M2
!M3
!B
!M21981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 8
B. Size tolerances
(i)Classes I and II
10 % by number or weight of courgettes conforming to the size
immediately below or above that specified on the package. However,
this tolerance is applicable only to produce which differs by not more
than 10 % from the size or weight limits specified.
V . PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A. Uniformity
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only courgettes
of the same origin, quality and size (where sizing is compulsory) andappreciably the same degree of development and colouring.
Miniature courgettes must be reasonably uniform in size. They may bemixed with other miniature products of a different type and origin.
The visible part of the contents of each package must be representative of
the entire contents.
B. Packaging
The courgettes must be packed in such a way as to ensure proper
protection of the produce.
The materials used inside the package must be new, clean and of a quality
such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce.
The use of materials and particularly of paper or stamps bearing tradespecifications is allowed provided that the printing or labelling has beendone with a non-toxic ink or glue.
The package must be free of all foreign matter.
VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING
Each package must bear the following particulars in letters grouped on the same
side, legibly and indelibly marked and visible from the outside:
A. Identification
Packer and/or Dispatcher: Name and address or officially issued or
accepted code mark. However, in the case where a code mark is used, the
reference ‘packer and/or dispatcher (or equivalent abbreviations)’ has to beindicated in close connection with the code mark.
B. Nature of produce
— ‘courgettes’ if the contents are not visible from the outside.
C. Origin of produce
Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown, or national,
regional or local place name.
D. Commercial specifications
— class,!
B
!M2
!B
!M2
!M3
!B
!M2
!B1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 9
— size (where applicable) expressed:
— either by maximum and minimum measurements, where sizing is
by length
— or by maximum and minimum weights, when sizing is by weight.
— ‘mini courgettes’, ‘baby courgettes’ or other appropriate term for
miniature produce, where appropriate. Where several types ofminiature produce are mixed in the same package, all products and
their respective origins must be mentioned.
E. Official control mark (optional).!
B
!M3
!B1981R1292 — EN — 29.06.2001 — 002.001 — 10