1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B REGULATION(EEC)No316/68OFTHECOUNCIL
of12March1968
fixingqualitystandardsforfreshcutflowersandfreshornamentalfoliage
(OJ L 71, 21.3.1968, p. 8)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1 Regulation (EEC) No 802/71 of the Commission of 19 April 1971 L 88 8 20.4.1971
►M2 Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1155/76 of 18 May 1976 L 130 26 19.5.1976
Corrected by:
►C1 Consolidated text of corrigenda to instruments published in Special
Editions 1952-72, p. 25 (316/68)
►C2 Consolidated text of corrigenda to instruments published in Special
Editions 1952-72, p. 87 (802/71)
▼B
REGULATION(EEC)No316/68OFTHECOUNCIL
of12March1968
fixingqualitystandardsforfreshcutflowersandfreshornamental
foliage
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European EconomicCommunity;
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 234/68 (
1) on the estab-
lishment of a common organisation of the market in live trees and
other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamentalfoliage, and in particular Article 3 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;Whereas there is substantial trade in fresh cut flowers and fresh orna-
mental foliage both within the Community and between Member Statesand third countries; whereas the improvement and standardisation ofthe qualities of marketed produce are desirable; whereas, therefore,
common quality standards should be adopted;
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
1. Quality standards shall be fixed for:
— fresh cut flowers and flower buds of a kind suitable for bouquets or
for ornamental purposes, falling within subheading No 06.03 A ofthe Common Customs Tariff,
— fresh ornamental foliage, leaves, branches and other parts of plants
falling within subheading No 06.04 A II of the Common CustomsTariff.
2. These quality standards are defined in the Annexes.
Article 2
1. From 1 July 1968, produce specified in Article 1 which does not
comply with the quality standards may not:
— within the Community, be put on sale or sold at the wholesale stage
either by traders or directly by the producers,
— be imported from a third country,— be exported to a third country.
2. Member States may be authorised to take measures derogating
from the provision of the third indent of paragraph 1 in respect ofcertain requirements of the quality standards in order to allow exportersto meet the trade requirements of certain third countries.
Such authorisation shall be granted in accordance with the procedure
laid down in Article 14 of Regulation (EEC) No 234/68 and the condi-
tions to which the authorisation may be subject shall be fixed in
accordance with the same procedure.
Article 3
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities .
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable
in all Member States.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 2
(1) OJ No L 55, 2 3.1968, p. 1.
▼B
ANNEX I
Commonqualitystandardsforcutflowers
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
These standards shall apply to fresh cut flowers ►C1and flower buds ◄
of a kind suitable for bouquets or for ornamental purposes, falling within
subheading No 06.03 A of the Common Customs Tariff.
II. QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
A.Minimum requirements
Produce must have been carefully cut or picked, according to the
species, and have reached an appropriate stage of growth.
B.Classification
(i) Class I
Produce in this class must be of good quality. It must have the
characteristics of the species and, where appropriate, of the variety(cultivar).
All parts of the cut flowers must be:
— whole,
— fresh,
— free of animal or vegetable parasites and from damage caused
by such,
— free of residues of pesticides and other extraneous matter
affecting the appearance,
— unbruised,
— free of defects of development; for carnations a split calyx is
notconsidered a defectof development .
However, in respect of American carnations, flowers with a split
calyx must be ringed, put up separately in uniform lots and the
packages marked accordingly.
The stems must, according to species and variety (cultivar) be rigid
and strong enough to support the flower(s).
(ii) Class II
This class shall include all produce which does notmeetall t he
requirements of Class I.
All parts of the cut flowers must be:
— whole,
— fresh,— free of animal parasites.
The flowers may, however, have the following defects:
— slightmalformat ion,
— slightbruising,
— slightdamage caused, for example, by disease or by animal
parasites,
— weaker, less rigid stems,
— small marks caused by treatment with pesticides.
The permitted defects must not impair the keeping quality, appear-
ance or utility of the products.
C.Extra Class
Produce which qualifies for Class I without the aid of any quality toler-
ance may be marked EXTRA. However, this classification may not be
used for American carnations with a split calyx.
III. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
The special provisions for certain types of flowers set out in Annex I A
shall override the provisions of this Annex.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 3
▼B
IV. SIZING
For cut flowers, sizing must comply at least with the following scale:
Code Length
0 less than 5 centimetres or flowers
marketed without stems
5 5— 10 centimetres
10 10— 15 centimetres
15 15— 20 centimetres20 20— 30 centimetres
30 30— 40 centimetres
40 40— 50 centimetres50 50— 60 centimetres
60 60— 80 centimetres
80 80—100 centimetres
100 100—120 centimetres
120 more than 120 centimetres
These lengths include the flower head.
The difference per unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like)
between the maximum and minimum lengths of the flowers in the unit may
notexceed:
— 2·5 centimetres for flowers in codes 15 and below,
— 5·0 centimetres for flowers in codes 20 (inclusive) to 50 (inclusive),— 10·0 centimetres for flowers in codes 60 and above.
This difference may be doubled for flowers presented in fan shape. For
chrysanthemums with large flowers presented in fan shape this difference
may go up to 20 centimetres for flowers in codes 20 to 50 (inclusive).
The size scale and the uniform lengths set out above are not applicable to
mimosa.
The minimum length for branches of mimosa shall be fixed at 20 centi-
metres. However, bundles and bouquets composed exclusively of small
sprigs of a length less than 20 centimetres may be permitted subject to
the words ‘short stem’ or an equivalent term being marked on the
packages.
V. QUALITY TOLERANCES
Quality tolerances shall be permitted in each unit of presentation as
follows:
(i) Class I
5 % of the cut flowers may have slight defects, on condition that the
uniformity of the flowers in a unit of presentation is not affected.
(ii) Class II
10 % of the cut flowers may vary from the requirements of the class.
Half of this percentage may have been attacked by parasites of animal
or vegetable origin.
The defects in question must not impair the utility of the products.
VI. PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION
A.Presentation
A unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must consist
of 5, 10 or a multiple of 10 pieces.
However this rule does not apply to:
(a) flowers normally sold singly,
(b) flowers normally sold by weight,1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 4
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▼M1
(c) flowers for which seller and buyer agree expressly to derogate from
the provisions concerning the number of flowers in a unit of
presentation. This derogation is admissible solely for transactions
outside wholesale markets on condition that
— the goods are the subject of a direct sale, based on a fixed
selling-price per unit of presentation, at wholesale level to a
retailer or a person acting on behalf of a retailer,
— the goods are accompanied by a bill, delivery note or similar
document showing the above-mentioned selling-price,
— the unit of presentation is in the packaging required by the
buyer for the ultimate purchaser. This packaging must be such
as to permit identification of the goods.
B.Uniformity
Each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like), must
contain flowers of the same genus, species or variety (cultivar) and of
the same quality class, and must have reached the same stage of devel-
opment.
Mixtures of flowers or mixtures of flowers with foliage of different
genus, species or variety (cultivar) are however permitted so long as
products of the same quality class are used and that they are appropri-
ately marked.
C.Packaging
Packaging must protect the produce adequately. Paper or other mate-
rials in direct contact with the cut flowers must be new.
VII. MARKING
The following particulars must accompany the goods:
A.Identification
/C148/C147/C147/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C147/C147/C150Despatcher or
Name and address or code markPacker
B.Nature of produce
— genus,
— species or variety (cultivar) or colour of flowers,— where appropriate, the word ‘mixture’ (or equivalent term).
C.Origin of produce (optional)
Region of origin, or national, regional or local name.
D.Commercial specifications
— Class,
— Size (length code) or minimum and maximum lengths,— Number or netweight .
E.Official control mark (optional)
F.Presentation
If the number of flowers per unit of presentation does not correspond to
the provisions of ►
C2Section VI A ◄, packages mustbe marked t o
show the exact composition of the units of presentation contained
therein.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 5
▼B
▼M1
▼B
ANNEX I A
Commonqualitystandardsforfreshcutflowers
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR MIMOSA
Mimosa must satisfy the quality requirement of Class I.
However, for this flower, the rigidity requirement does not apply to the upper
ends of the flower stems.
The base of the branches must not be too woody.Mimosa must also meet the following quality requirements:
— stems well furnished with flowers;
— unbroken or untrimmed tips. However stems with broken tips are permitted
where the broken section has a diameter of less than 2 millimetres.
Mimosa may be presented in bloom or not.For mimosa in bloom, the blossom should be normal for the variety and the
number of green flowering heads notyetin bloom mustnotexceed:
— 60 % for Floribunda,
— 20 % for other species and varieties.
The flowering heads must be of normal colour, unspotted and firmly fixed to the
inflorescence.
For mimosa which is notin bloom, 80 % of t he flowering heads mustbe yellow
(slightly open)
Presentation
Branches of mimosa mustbe arranged in layers or present ed in bunches of:
— 150 grammes, 250 grammes or multiples of 250 grammes.
Mimosa notin bloom mustbe packed in small bags made of polyet hylene or a
similar substance.
Each unit of presentation, even when offered in bulk, must be of uniform
composition and only contain branches of the same species and variety.
Marking
In addition to indicating the packer or despatcher on each package, the marking
must include the following particulars:
— the genus,
— the species or variety (cultivar),— the words ‘in bloom’ or ‘not in bloom’,— where appropriate, the words ‘short stemmed’ or equivalent term,— the total net weight or the number of bunches and the weight of each.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 6
▼B
ANNEX II
Commonqualitystandardsforfreshornamentalfoliage
I. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCE
These standards shall apply to fresh ornamental foliage, leaves, branches
and other parts of plants falling within subheading No 06.04 A II of the
Common Customs Tariff.
II. QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
Produce mustbe:
— of fresh appearance,
— free of residues of pesticides and other extraneous matter affecting the
appearance,
— free of animal or vegetable parasites and damage caused by such which
impair the general appearance,
— free of defects, such as bruising or withering, which impair the general
appearance,
— free of excessive external moisture,— having the colouring typical of the species or variety.
Produce mustbe carefully cutand have reached a sufficientst age of
maturity.
III. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
The special provisions relating to Asparagus fern set out in Annex II A
supplement the provisions of this Annex.
IV. QUALITY TOLERANCES
Quality tolerances shall be permitted in each unit of presentation as follows:
10 % of fresh ornamental foliage may vary from the requirements listed
under II.
V. MARKING
The following particulars must accompany the goods:
A.Identification
/C148/C147/C147/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C147/C147/C150Despatcher or
Name and address or code markPacker
B.Natureofproduce
‘Fresh ornamental foliage’, or genus or species.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 7
▼B
ANNEX II A
COMMON QUALITY STANDARDS FOR FRESH ORNAMENTAL
FOLIAGE
SPECIALPROVISIONSFORFOLIAGEOFASPARAGUSSPRENGERI
I. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCE
These special provisions apply to the foliage of Asparagus densiflorus
(Kunth) Jeasop ‘Sprengeri’ (Syn. Asparagus L. sprengeri Rgl.).
II. QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
(i)Class I
The foliage of Asparagus sprengeri in this class must be:
— well developed, not broken and without side growth,
— well furnished with firmly attached cladodes,— free of yellowing,— free of fruits.
(ii)Class II
This class includes all foliage of Asparagus sprengeri not meeting the
requirements of Class I but meeting the quality requirements laid
down for fresh foliage particularly regarding the typical colouring
which should exclude any yellowing.
III. SIZING
Length shall be measured from the end of the stem to the tip. For Aspar-
agus sprengeri this sizing must comply with the following scale:
Code length
10 10 to 30 cm
30 30 to 50 cm50 more than 50 cm
Shoots of Asparagus sprengeri forming a bunch must be of more or less
uniform length.
IV. TOLERANCES
A.Qualitytolerances
The following tolerances shall be permitted in each unit of presentation:
(i)Class I
10 % of the stems may vary from the requirements of this class but
they must comply with those of Class II. No tolerance shall be
permitted for stems which are broken or which have a side growth.
(ii)Class II
10 % of the stems may vary from the requirements of this class.
Any defects must not impair the utility of the products.
B.Lengthtolerances
10 % of the number of stems which exceed the fixed limits is permitted;
the shortest stems may in no case be more than 5 cm shorter than the
code given.
V. PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION
A.Presentation
The foliage of Asparagus sprengeri shall be made up into bunches of
100 g, 250 g or multiples of 250 g.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 8
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▼M2
B.Uniformity
Broken stems shall be made up into separate bunches. Stems in the
same bunch mustbe uniform in shape and colour.
C.Packaging
Packaging must be such as to protect the produce adequately. Paper or
other materials in direct contact with the produce must be new; when
printed matter is used, the printing must be on the outside only so as
not to come into contact with the produce.
VI. MARKING
The following particulars must accompany the goods:A.Identification
/C148/C147/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C147/C150Dispatcher or
Name and address or code markPacker
B.Natureofproduce
Asparagus sprengeri or Asparagus densiflorus and possibly the variety.
C.Origin ofproduct (optional)
Region of origin or national, regional or local name.
D.Commercial specifications
— class,
— minimum and maximum length or code of size,— number of bunches and unitweightof each bunch.
E.Official controlmark (optional).
SPECIALPROVISIONSFORASPARAGUSPLUMOSUS
I. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT
These special provisions apply to the foliage of Asparagus setaccus (Kunth)
Jessop (Syn. Asparagus L. plumosus Bak.).
III. QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
A.Specialrequirements
The typical colouring of the species comprises a range of varying shades
of green (
1). The products must not, however, be clorotic; they must be
furnished with cladodes having an equal colouring.
Foliage of Asparagus plumosus may be presented in the form of:
— fern (shoots of regular growth having the appearance of palm
leaves),
— clipped fern (shoots of which the upper ends have. been cut off,
having the appearance of a garland of greenery).
B.Classification
(i)Class I
The foliage of Asparagus plumosus in this class must:
— be well developed,
— have a stem well garnished with foliage,— be furnished with firmly attached cladodes.
Fern must not be broken and must be without side growth.Clipped fern may be included in this class.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 9
(1) Asparagus plumosus foliage bearing the description ‘blond’ or ‘biondo’ is also admis-
sible, provided that it conforms to the requirements of the quality standard applicable
for this product.
▼M2
(ii)Class II
This class includes all foliage of Asparagus plumosus notmeet ing
the requirements of Class I but meeting the quality requirements
laid down for fresh foliage and the special requirements above.
Nevertheless, produce having certain defects of appearance may be
included in this class. Broken fern or fern with side growth should
be presented separately.
III. SIZING
The length shall be measured from the end of the stem to the tip.For fern the sizing must comply with the following scale:
Code length
10 10 to 30 cm
30 30 to 40 cm40 40 to 60 cm
60 more than 60 cm
For clipped fern the sizing must comply with the following scale:
Code length
10 10 to 30 cm
30 30 to 50 cm
50 more than 50 cm
IV. TOLERANCES
A.Qualitytolerances
The following tolerances shall be permitted in each unit of presentation:
(i)Class I
10 % of the stems may vary from the requirements of this class but
they must comply with those of Class II.
No tolerance shall be permitted for fern which is broken or which
has a side growth.
(ii)Class II
10 % of the stems may vary from the requirements of this class.
Any defects must not impair the utility of the products.
B.Lengthtolerance
10 % of the number of stems which exceed the fixed limits is permitted;
the shortest stems may in no case be more than 5 cm shorter than the
code given.
V. PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION
A.Presentation
The foliage of Asparagus plumosus shall be made up into bunches of 10
stems or multiples of 10.
B.Uniformity
Fern in one bunch mustbe of uniform colouring. Fern, clipped fern and
fern without points of growth, exclusively classified in Class II, shall be
made up into separate bunches.
C.Packaging
Packaging must be such as to protect the produce adequately. Paper or
other materials in direct contact with the produce must be new; when
printed matter is used, the printing must be on the outside only so as
not to come into contact with the produce.1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 10
▼M2
VI. MARKING
The following particulars must accompany the goods:
A.Identification
/C148/C147/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C147/C150Dispatcher or
Name and address or code mark.packer
B.Natureofproduce (optional)
Asparagus plumosus or Asparagus setaccus.
C.Origin ofproduce (optional)
Region of origin or national, regional or local name.
D.Commercial specifications
— class,
— the indication ‘fern’ or ‘clipped fern’,— number of bunches and number of stems per bunch,— minimum and maximum length or code of size,— the indication ‘blond’ or ‘biondo’ should the occasion arise.
E.Official controlmark (optional).1968R0316 — EN — 22.05.1976 — 002.001 — 11