1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B COMMISSIONREGULATION(EC)No1168/1999
of3June1999
layingdownmarketingstandardsforplums
(OJ L 141, 4.6.1999, p. 5)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Regulation (EC) No 848/2000 of 27 April 2000 L 103 9 28.4.2000
►M2Commission Regulation (EC) No 46/2003 of 10 January 2003 L 7 61 11.1.2003
▼B
COMMISSIONREGULATION(EC)No1168/1999
of3June1999
layingdownmarketingstandardsforplums
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October
1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegeta-bles(
1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 857/
1999 (2), and in particular Article 2(2) thereof,
(1)Whereasplumsare among the productslis ted in Annex I toRegulation (EC) No 2200/96 for which standards must be
adopted; whereas Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1591/87 of
5 June 1987 laying down marketing standards for cabbages,Brussels sprouts, ribbed celery, spinach and plums (
3), aslas t
amended by Regulation (EC) No 888/97 (4), hasbeen amended
frequently and can no longer ensure legal clarity;
(2)Whereas, in the interests of clarity, the rules on plums should beseparated from those on other products under Regulation (EEC)
No 1591/87; whereas the rules in question should therefore be
recast and Annex V to Regulation (EEC) No 1591/87 on plumsdeleted; whereas, to that end and in the interests of preservingtransparency on the world market, account should be taken ofthe standard for plums recommended by the Working Party onStandardisation of Perishable Produce and Quality Development
of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/
ECE);
(3)Whereas the result of applying these standards should be toremove products of unsatisfactory quality from the market, tobring production into line with consumer requirements, to facil-itate trade relationships based on fair competition, and thereby tohelp make production more profitable;
(4)Whereas the standards are applicable at all stages of marketing;whereas carriage over a great distance, storage for a certain
length of time and the varioushandling operationswhich the
productsundergo may bring about deterioration due to the biolo-gical development of the productsor their peris hability; whereasaccount should be taken of such deterioration when the standardsare applied at marketing stages following dispatch; whereas, as
productsin the ‘Extra’ clas shave to be particularly carefully
sorted and packaged, only lack of freshness and turgidity is tobe taken into account in their case;
(5)Whereasthe meas uresprovided for in thisRegulation are inaccordance with the opinion of the Management Committee forFresh Fruit and Vegetables,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
The marketing standard for plums falling within CN code 0809 40 05
shall be as set out in the Annex.
This standard shall apply at all marketing stages, under the conditions
laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2200/96.1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 2
(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 108, 27.4.1999, p. 7.
(3) OJ L 146, 6.6.1987, p. 36.
(4) OJ L 126, 17.5.1997, p. 11.
▼B
However, at stages following dispatch, the products may show in rela-
tion to the provisions of the standard:
— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
— for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ class, slight
deteriorationsdue to their development and their tendency to peris h.
Article 2
Regulation (EEC) No 1591/87 isamended asfollows :1. In the title, the words ‘ribbed celery, spinach and plums’ are
replaced by ‘ribbed celery and spinach’.
2. The fifth indent in the first subparagraph of Article 1 is deleted.
3. Annex V isdeleted.
Article 3
ThisRegulation s hall enter into force on the third day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
It shall apply from 1 July 1999.
ThisRegulation s hall be binding in itsentirety and directly applicable
in all Member States.1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 3
▼B
ANNEX
STANDARDFORPLUMS
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to plums of varieties (cultivars) grown from:
—Prunus domestica L. ssp.domestica ,
—Prunus domestica L. ssp.insititia (L.) Schneid.,
—Prunus domestica L. ssp.italica (Borkh.) Gams,
—Prunus domestica L. ssp.syriaca (Borkh.) Janchen, and
—Prunus salicina Lindl.
to be supplied fresh to the consumer, plums for industrial processing being
excluded.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for plums
after preparation and packaging.
A.Minimumrequirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the
tolerancesallowed, the plumsmus t be:
— intact,
— 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,
— practically free from pests,
— practically free from damage caused by pests,
— free of abnormal external moisture,— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The plums must have been carefully picked. They must be sufficiently
developed and display satisfactory ripeness.
The development and condition of the plums must be such as to enable
them to:
— withstand transport and handling, and
— arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
B.Classification
Plums are classified into the three classes defined below:
(i) ‘Extra’ class
Plums in this class must be of superior quality. In shape, develop-
ment and colouring they must be characteristic of the variety. They
must be:
— practically covered by their bloom, according to variety,
— of firm flesh.
They must be free from defects, with the exception of very slight
superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appear-
ance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and
presentation in the package.
(ii) Class I
Plums in this class must be of good quality. They must be charac-
teristic of the variety.
The following slight defects, however, may be allowed, provided
these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the
quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:
— a slight defect in shape,
— a slight defect in development,
— slight defects in colouring,1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 4
▼B
— skin defects of elongated shape must not exceed in length one
third of the maximum diameter of the fruit. In particular, healed
cracksmay be allowed for ‘Golden gage’ varieties(1),
— other skin defects of which the total area affected must not
exceed one sixteenth of the whole surface.
(iii) Class II
This class includes plums which do not qualify for inclusion in the
higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified
above.
The following defectsmay be allowed, provided the plumsretain
their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping
quality and presentation:
— defectsin s hape,
— defectsin development,
— defectsin colouring,— skin defects of which the total area affected must not exceed
one quarter of the whole surface.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Size isdetermined by the maximum diameter of the equatorial s ection.Minimum sizes are fixed as follows:
‘Extra’
and I
II
Large-fruited varieties(1) 3 5m m 3 0m m
Other varieties28 mm 25 mm
Mirabellesand Dams ons 20 mm 17 mm
(1) See list annexed to this standard.
For the ‘Extra’ class, the maximum difference in diameter between fruit in
any one package isfixed at 10 mm.
IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package
for produce not satisfying the requirements for the class indicated.
A.Qualitytolerances
(i) ‘Extra’ class:
5 % by number or weight of plums not satisfying the requirements
of the class but meeting those of Class I or, excetionally, coming
within the tolerances for that class.
(ii) Class I
10 % by number or weight of plums not satisfying the requirements
of the class but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming
within the tolerances for that class. Within this tolerance, not more
than 2 % in total may consist of split and/or worm-eaten fruit.
(iii) Class II
10 % by number or weight of plums satisfying neither the require-
ments of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the
exception of produce affected by rotting, market bruising or any
other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption. Within this
tolerance, not more than 4 % in total may consist of split and/or
worm-eaten fruit.
B.Sizetolerances
For all classes, 10 % by number or weight of plums deviating from the
minimum size or the size stated on the package, the deviation not
exceeding 3 mm above or below.1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 5
(1) Definition: gages (green apricots, dauphines, greengages) having a green skin with a
yellowish sheen.
▼B
V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A.Uniformity
The contentsof each package mus t be uniform and contain only plums
of the same origin, variety, quality and size (i) sized), and for the
‘Extra’ class, the contents must also be uniform in colour.
The visible part of the contents of each package must be representative
of the entire contents.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions in this point, products covered
by thisRegulation may be mixed, in s alespackagesof a net weight of
less than three kilograms, with different types of fresh fruit and vegeta-
bles on the conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No
48/2003 (1).
B.Packaging
Plums must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.
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, particularly of paper or stamps bearing
trade specifications is allowed provided that the printing or labelling
hasbeen done with non-toxic ink or glue.
Packagesmus t be free from all foreign matter.
C.Presentation
The plumsmay be pres ented:
— in small packages,
— arranged in one or more layerss eparated from each other,
— in bulk in the package, except for the ‘Extra’ class.
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)’
hasto be indicated in clos e connection with the code mark.
B. Nature of produce
— ‘Plums’, if the contents are not visible from the outside
— name of the variety.
C. Origin of produce
Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national,
regional or local place name.
D. Commercial specifications
— class,
— size (if sized) expressed in minimum and maximum diameter.
E. Official control mark (optional)1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 6
(1) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 65.▼M2
▼B
▼M1
APPENDIX
1.Non-exhaustivelistoflarge-fruited varietiesof Prunus domestica
Variety
Cultivar and/or commercial nameSynonyms
Ariel
Apple
Belle de Louvain Bella di Lovanio
Bernardina
Bluefre Blue Fré
Cacanska Iepotica Belle de Cacak, Cacaks Beauty,
CacaksSchöne
Cacanska najbolja Meilleure de Cacak, Cacaks Beste
Cacanska rana Précoce de Cacak, Cacaks Frühe
California Blue California Blu
Carpatin
Centenar
Coe'sGolden Drop
De Fraile Fraila
Denniston Superb
EdwardsColbus
Emma Leppermann
Empress
Erfdeel
Giant BurbanksGiant PruneGrand Prix Grand Prize
Hall
HarrisMonarch Harris
Heron
Impérial Epineuse
Janand
Jefferson Jefferson's Gage
Jori'sPlum
Jubileum
June Blood
Magna Glauca
MannsNumber One
Marjorie'sSeedling
Merton Gage Merton, Mereton
Merton Gem
Monarch
Monsieur hâtif Early Orleans
Nueva Extremadura
Oneida
Ontario Ontariopflaume
PitesteanPond'sSeedling
President
Prince Engelbert
Prince of WalesPrince de Galles1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 7
▼M1
Variety
Cultivar and/or commercial nameSynonyms
Prof. Collumbien
Prune Martin
Queen'sCrown Cox'sEmperor
Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt Quetsche Dr. Létricourt
Regina Claudia MostruosaRegina d'Italia
Reine-Claude d'Althan Falso
Reine-Claude d'OullinsOullin's Gage
Seneca
Sugar Prune
Sultan
Swan Gage
Tragedy
Utility Laxton'sUtility
Valor
Victoria
Vision
Washington
ZimmersFrühzwets che
2.Non-exhaustivelistoflarge-fruited varietiesof Prunus salicina
Variety
Cultivar and/or commercial nameSynonyms
Allo
Andy'sPride
Angeleno
Autumn Giant
Autumn Pride
Beaut Sun
Beauty Beaty
Bella di Barbiano
Black Amber
Black Beaut
Black Diamond
Black Gold
Black Rosa
Black Royal
Black Star
Black Sun
Burbank
Burmosa
CalitaCasselman Kesselman
Catalina
Celebration
Centenaria1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 8
▼M1
Variety
Cultivar and/or commercial nameSynonyms
Del Rey Sun
Delbarazur
Dolar
Eclipse
EldoradoEric Sun
Flavor King
Formosa
Fortune
Friar
Frontier
Gavearli
Gaviota
Globe Sun
Goccia d'Oro
Golden Japan Shiro
Golden King
Golden Kiss
Golden Plum
Goldsweet 4
Grand Rosa
Green Sun
Hackman
Harry Pickstone
Howard Sun
KelseyLady Red
Lady West
Laetitia
Laroda
Larry Ann Larry Anne, Tegan Blue, Freedom
Late Red
Late Santa Rosa
Linda Rosa
Mariposa Improved Satsuma, Satsuma Improved
Methley
Midnight Sun
Morettini 355 Coeur de Lion
Narrabeen
Newyorker
Nubiana
Obilnaja
October Sun
Original Sun
Oro MielOzark Premier Premier
Pink Delight1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 9
▼M1
Variety
Cultivar and/or commercial nameSynonyms
Pioneer
Queen Ann
Queen Rosa
Red Beaut
Red RosaRed Sweet
Redgold
Redroy
Reubennel Ruby Nel
Royal Black
Royal Diamond
Royal Garnet
Royal Star
Roysum
Ruby Blood
Ruby Red
Sangue di Drago
Santa Rosa
Sapphire
Satsuma
Simka
Sir Prize Akihime
Songold
Southern Belle
Southern Pride
SouvenirSouvenir II
Spring Beaut
Starking Delicious
Stirling
Suplumeleven
Suplumthirteen
Suplumtwelve
Susy
TC Sun
Teak Gold
Top Black
Tracy Sun
Wickson
Yakima
Yellow Sun
Zanzi Sun1999R1168 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 002.001 — 10