1997R1093 — EN — 01.07.2000 — 001.001 — 1
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►B COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1093/97
of 16 June 1997
laying down marketing standards applicable to melons and watermelons
(OJ L 158, 17.6.1997, p. 21)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Regulation (EC) No 850/2000 of 27 April 2000 L103 21 28.4.2000
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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1093/97
of 16 June 1997
laying down marketing standards applicable to melons and water-
melons
THE COMMISSIONOF THE EUROPEANCOMMUN ITIES,
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 organization of the market in fruit and veget-ables(
1), and in particular Article 2 (2) thereof,
WhereasRegulation(EC)No2200/96,inAnnexI,liststheproductsfor
whichstandardsmustbeadopted;whereas,oftheproductslistedinthatAnnex, no Community standards have yet been laid down for melonsand watermelons; whereas it is therefore necessary to lay downmarketing standards for those products; whereas, to that end, for thesake of transparency on the world market, account should be taken ofthe standards recommended for those products by the United NationsEconomic Commission for Europe;
Whereas application of those standards should have the effect of
keeping products of unsatisfactory quality off the market, directingproductiontomeetconsumers’requirementsandfacilitatingtradeunderfaircompetitiveconditions,therebyhelpingtoimprovetheprofitabilityof production;
Whereasthosestandardsareapplicabletoallmarketingstages;whereas
transport over large distances, storage for more than a certain durationandtheamountofhandlingtowhichproductsaresubjectcanresultinsomedegreeofdeteriorationowingtothebiologicaldevelopmentoftheproduct or its perishable nature; whereas such deterioration should betaken into account in the application of the standards to the marketingstages following consignment;
WhereasthemeasuresprovidedforinthisRegulationareinaccordance
with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit andVegetables,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
1. The marketing standards applicable to:
— melons falling within CNcode 08071900,— watermelons falling within CNcode 08071100,
shall be as set out in Annexes I and II respectively.
2. Thestandardsshallapplytoallmarketingstagesunderthecondi-
tions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2200/96.
However, at stages following consignment the following tolerances
shall be allowed:
(a) a slight loss of freshness and turgidity;
(b) for products other than the ‘Extra'class, slight deterioration due to
biological development and perishability.
Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 July 1997.
ThisRegulationshallbebindinginitsentiretyanddirectlyapplicablein
all Member States.
(1) OJ No L 297, 21. 11. 1996, p. 1.
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ANNEX I
STANDARDS FOR MELONS
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to melons of varieties (cultivars) grown from Cucumis
meloL. to be supplied fresh to the consumer, melons for industrial processing
being excluded.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
Thepurposeofthestandardistodefinethequalityrequirementsofmelons,after
preparation and packaging.
A.Minimum requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the toler-
ances allowed, the melons must be:
— intact(1),
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it
unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free from any visible foreign matter,— fresh in appearance,— practically free from pests,— practically free from damage caused by pests,— firm,— free of abnormal external moisture,— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The melons must be sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripe-
ness(
2). The development and condition of the melons 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
Melons are classified in two classes defined below:
(i)Class I
Melonsinthisclassmustbeofgoodquality.Theymustbecharacteristic
of the variety or commercial type.
The following slight defects, however, may be allowed provided these
donotaffectthegeneralappearanceoftheproduce,thekeepingqualityand presentation in the package:
— a slight defect in shape,— aslightdefectincolouring(apalecolouringoftherindatthepoint
wherethefruittouchedthegroundwhilegrowingisnotregardedasa defect),
— slight skin blemishes due to rubbing or handling,— slighthealedcracksaroundthepeduncleoflessthan2 cminlength
that do not reach the pulp.
The length of the penduncle, in the case of fruit belonging to varieties
thatdonotseparateatthetimeofripening,maynotexceed2 cmforthevarieties of Charentais, Ogen and Galia type melons and 5 cm for othermelons, but must in any case be present and intact.
(ii)Class II
ThisclassincludesmelonswhichdonotqualifyforinclusioninClassI
but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.
The following defects may be allowed provided the melons retain their
essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality andpresentation
(1) However, a small healed scar caused by automatic measurement of the refractometric
index is not regarded as a defect.
(2) The refractometric index of the pulp must be at least 8 % measured at the middle
point of the fruit flesh at the equatorial section.
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— defects in shape,
— defectsincolouring(apalecolouringoftherindatthepointwhere
the fruit touched the ground while growing is not regarded as adefect),
— slight bruising,— slightcracksordeepscratchesthatdonotaffectthepulpofthefruit
and are dry,
— skin blemishes due to rubbing or handling.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Sizeisdeterminedbytheweightofoneunitorbythediameteroftheequatorial
section.
The minimum sizes are as follows:
Sizing by weight:
— Charentais, Ogen and Galia type melons 250 g,— other melons 300 g.Sizing by diameter:— Charentais, Ogen and Galia type melons 7,5 cm,— other melons 8 cm.
▼
M1
Where the size is expressed by weight, the largest melon in each package maynotweighover50%morethanthesmallest(30%moreforCharentaismelons).
Wherethesizeisexpressedbydiameter,thediameterofthelargestmelonmay
not be over 20% more than the diameter of the smallest (10% more forCharentias melons).
▼
BSizing is compulsory for both classes.
IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package for
produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A.Quality tolerances
(i)Class I
10 %bynumberorweightofmelonsnotsatisfyingtherequirementsof
theclass,butmeetingthoseofClassIIor,exceptionally,comingwithinthe tolerances of that class.
(ii)Class II
10 %bynumberorweightofmelonssatisfyingneithertherequirements
of the class, nor the minimum requirements, with the exception ofproduce affected by rotting or any other deterioration rendering it unfitfor consumption.
B.Size tolerances
Forallclasses:10 %bynumberorweightofmelonsnotsatisfyingthesize
immediately below or above that indicated on the package.
V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A.Uniformity
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only melons of
thesameorigin,varietyorcommercialtype,qualityandsize,andwhichhavereachedappreciablythesamedegreeofdevelopmentandripenessandareofappreciably the same colour.
Thevisiblepartofthecontentsofthepackagemustberepresentativeofthe
entire contents.
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B.Packaging
Melons 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
suchastoavoidcausinganyexternalorinternaldamagetotheproduce.Theuseofmaterials,particularlyofpaperorstamps bearingtradespecificationsis allowed, provided the printing or labelling is done with non-toxic ink orglue.
Packages must be free from all foreign matter.
VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING
Eachpackagemustbearthefollowingparticularsinlettersgroupedonthesame
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'(orequivalentabbreviations)havetobeindicatedin close connection to the code mark.
B.Nature of produce
— ‘Melons'if the contents are not visible from the outside,— name of the variety or commercial type (e.g. Charentais).
C.Origin of produce
— countryoforiginand,optionally,national,regionalorlocalplacename.
D.Commercial specifications
— class,— size expressed in minimum and maximum weight or minimum and
maximum diameter,
— number of units (optional),
▼
M1
— minimum sugar content, measured by refractometer and expressed in
degrees Brix (optional).
▼B
E.Official control mark (optional)
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ANNEX II
STANDARDS FOR WATERMELONS
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to watermelons of varieties (cultivars) grown from
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. et Nakai to be supplied fresh to the
consumer, watermelons for industrial processing being excluded.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
Thepurposeofthestandardistodefinethequalityrequirementsofwatermelons
after preparation and packaging.
A.Minimum requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the toler-
ances allowed, the watermelons must be:
— intact,— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it
unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free from any visible foreign matter,— practically free from pests,— practically free from damage caused by pests,— firm and sufficiently ripe; the colour and taste of the flesh should
conform to a sufficient state of ripeness,
— not split,— free from abnormal external moisture,— free from any foreign smell and/or taste.
Thedevelopmentandconditionofthewatermelonsmustbesuchastoenable
them:
— to withstand transport and handling, and— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
B.Classification
The watermelons are classified in two classes defined below:
(i)Class I
Watermelons in this class must be of good quality.They must be:— well-formed, allowing for the characteristics of the variety,— free of cracks and bruises; slight superficial cracks are not consid-
ered as defects.
A slight defect in colouring is allowed for the paler part of the melon
which has been in contact with the ground during the period of growth.
The stem of the watermelon must not exceed 5 cm in length.
(ii)Class II
This class includes watermelons which do not qualify for inclusion in
Class I, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.
The following defects may be allowed provided the watermelons retain
theiressentialcharacteristicsasregardsthequality,thekeepingquality,and presentation:
— slight defect in shape,— slight defect in colouring of the rind,— slight bruising or superficial defects due in particular to mechanical
impact or to damage by parasites or diseases.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Size is determined by the weight per unit. The minimum weight is fixed at
1,5 kg.
When watermelons are presented in packages, the difference in weight between
thelightestandtheheaviestunitinthesamepackageshouldnotexceed2 kg,or3,5 kg if the lightest unit exceeds 6 kg.
This relative uniformity of weight is not compulsory for watermelons presented
in bulk.
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IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerancesinrespectofqualityandsizeshallbeallowedineachpackage,orin
each lot for produce presented in bulk, for produce not satisfying the require-ments of the class indicated.
A.Quality tolerances
(i)Class I
10 % by number or weight of watermelons not satisfying the require-
ments of the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally,coming within the tolerances of that class.
(ii)Class II
10 % by number or weight of watermelons satisfying neither the
requirementsoftheclassnortheminimumrequirements,withtheexcep-tionofproduceaffectedbyrotting,oranyotherdeteriorationrenderingitunfit for consumption.
B.Size tolerances
Forallclasses:10 %bynumberorweightofwatermelonsnotconformingto
the size indiated, but no more than 1 kg asbove or below the size rangespecified.
The tolerance may in no case extend to fruit weighing less than 1 kg.
V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A.Uniformity
Thecontentsofeachpackage,orlotforproducepresentedinbulk,mustbe
uniform and contain only watermelons of the same origin, variety andquality.
Thevisiblepartofthecontentsofthepackage,orlotforproducepresented
in bulk, must be representative of the entire contents.
In addition, in Class I, the shape and colour of the rind of the watermelons
must be uniform.
B.Packaging
The watermelons 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
suchastoavoidcausinganyexternalorinternaldamagetotheproduce.Theuse of materials particularly paper or stamps, bearing trade specifications isallowedprovidedtheprintingorlabellinghasbeendonewithnon-toxicinkor glue.
Packages,orlotsforproducepresentedinbulk,mustbefreefromallforeign
matter.
Watermelonstransportedinbulkmustbeseparatedfromthefloorandwalls
of the vehicles by a suitable protective material, which must be new andclean and not liable to transfer any abnormal taste or smell to the fruit.
C.Presentation
The watermelons may be presented:
— in packages,— in bulk.
VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING
Eachpackagemustbearthefollowingparticularsinlettersgroupedonthesame
side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside.
For watermelons transported in bulk (direct loading into a transport vehicle)
these particulars must appear on a document accompanying the goods, andattached in a visible position inside the transport vehicle.
For this type of presentation the indication of the size, the net weight or the
number of units is not compulsory.
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) have to be indi-cated in close connection with the code mark.
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B.Nature of produce
— ‘Watermelons',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,— size (if sized) expressed in minimum and maximum weight,— net weight or number of units.
E.Official control mark (optional)