1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B COMMISSIONREGULATION(EEC)No1292/81
of12May1981
layingdownqualitystandardsforleeks,auberginesandcourgettes
(OJ L 129, 15.5.1981, p. 38)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1076/89 of 26 April 1989 L 114 14 27.4.1989
►M2Commission Regulation (EC) No 888/97 of 16 May 1997 L 126 11 17.5.1997
►M3Commission Regulation (EC) No 1135/2001 of 8 June 2001 L 154 9 9.6.2001
►M4Commission Regulation (EC) No 46/2003 of 10 January 2003 L 7 61 11.1.2003
▼B
COMMISSIONREGULATION(EEC)No1292/81
of12May1981
layingdownqualitystandardsforleeks,auberginesandcourgettes
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 vegeta-
bles (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 fordelivery 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 lengthof timeor the various handling operations to which the products are subjectmay bring about deterioration because of the biological developmentof 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 accor-
dance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fruit and
Vegetables,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
1. The quality standards for ►M1 ◄aubergines and
courgettes (subheading ex 07.01T of the Common Customs Tariff areset 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.1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 2
(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
▼B
▼B
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable
in all Member States.1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 3
▼M1
ANNEX II
QUALITYSTANDARDFORAUBERGINES
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
freshto th e 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.Minimumrequirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the toler-
ances allowed, the aubergines must be:
— whole,
— freshin appearance,
— firm,— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration suchas 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 provisions for
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,
— slight bruising and/or slight healed cracks provided that they do not
cover more than 3 cm
2.
(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 and presentation, they
may show the following defects:
— defects of shape,
— defects of colouring,— slight sun-scorched provided it does not cover more than 4 cm
2,1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 4
▼B
▼B
— 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 longitu-
dinal axis,
— or by weight.
A. Forsizingbydiameter , the minimum diameter is fixed at 40 mm for elon-
gated 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 witha maximum difference of 75 grams between th e
smallest and largest aubergines in the same package,
— 300 to 500 grams witha maximum difference of 100 grams between th e
smallest and largest aubergines in the same package,
— above 500 grams witha maximum difference of 250 grams between th e
smallest and largest aubergines in the same package.
Compliance withth e sizing scale is compulsory for Class I. In addition,
elongated aubergines must have a minimum length, excluding peduncle, of
80 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 eachpackage for
produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A.Qualitytolerances
(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 require-
ments for the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception ofproduce affected by rotting, marked bruising, unhealed cracks or any
other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.
B.Sizetolerances
(i)Class I
10 % by number or weight of aubergines conforming to the size imme-
diately below or above that specified on the package.1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 5
(1) Miniature produce means a variety or cultivar of aubergine, obtained by plant breeding
and/or special cultivation techniques, excluding aubergines of non-miniature varietieswhich have not fully developed or are of inadequate size. All other requirements of
the standards must be met.▼M2
▼B
▼M3
▼B
▼M2
▼B
▼B
(ii)Class II►M2 ◄
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 the minimum diameter
or, in the case of sizing weight, to aubergines weighing less than 90
grams.
V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A.Uniformity
The contents of each package should be uniform and contain only auber-
gines of the same origin, commercial type, quality and size (where sizing is
compulsory) and appreciably the same degree of development and colouring.
►M2 ◄.
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 withoth er miniature products of a different type and origin.
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
this Regulation may be mixed, in sales packages of a net weight of less than
three kilograms, with different types of fresh fruit and vegetables on the
conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 48/2003 (1).
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 trade specifica-
tions is allowed, provided that the printing or labelling has been done with a
non-toxic ink or glue. The packages must be free from 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 be indicated
in close connection withth e code mark.
B.Natureofproduce
— ‘aubergines’, if the contents are not visible from the outside,
— name of variety (optional).
C.Originofproduce
— country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national,
regional or local place name.
D.Commercialspecifications
— class,1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 6
(1) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 65.▼M3
▼B
▼M4
▼B
▼M2
▼B
▼B
— 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 minia-
ture produce, where appropriate. Where several types of miniature
produce are mixed in the same package, all products and their respective
origins must be mentioned.
E.Officialcontrol mark (optional)1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 7
▼M3
▼B
▼B
ANNEX III
QUALITYSTANDARDFORCOURGETTES
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 freshto th e consumer, courgettes for industrial processing
being excluded.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of this standard is to define the quality requirements for courgettes
after preparation and packaging.
A.Minimumrequirements:
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the toler-
ances allowed, the courgettes must be:
— intact, including a stalk which may be slightly damaged,
— of freshappearance,— firm,— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration suchas 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 ◄,
— 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 following
defects 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.
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 conser-
vation.1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 8
(1) Courgettes having markedly developed seeds, called ‘marrows’ in the United Kingdom
and in Ireland, are not covered by this standard.
▼M2
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 eachpackage for
produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A.Qualitytolerances
(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 require-
ments 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.Sizetolerances
(i)Classes I and II
10 % by number or weight of courgettes conforming to the size immedi-
ately 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.1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 9
(1) Miniature produce means a variety or cultivar of aubergine, obtained by plant breeding
and/or special cultivation techniques, excluding aubergines of non-miniature varietieswhich have not fully developed or are of inadequate size. All other requirements of
the standards must be met.▼B
▼M2
▼M3
▼B
▼M2
▼B
▼M2
▼B
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) and appre-
ciably the same degree of development and colouring.
Miniature courgettes must be reasonably uniform in size. They may be
mixed withoth er miniature products of a different type and origin.
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
this Regulation may be mixed, in sales packages of a net weight of less than
three kilograms, with different types of fresh fruit and vegetables on the
conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 48/2003 (1).
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 trade specifica-
tions is allowed provided that the printing or labelling has been done 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 be indicated
in close connection withth e code mark.
B.Natureofproduce
— ‘courgettes’ if the contents are not visible from the outside.
C.Originofproduce
Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown, or national, regional
or local place name.
D.Commercialspecifications
— class,
— 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.1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 10
(1) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 65.▼M2
▼M3
▼B
▼M4
▼B
▼M2
▼B
▼M3
— ‘mini courgettes’, ‘baby courgettes’ or other appropriate term for minia-
ture produce, where appropriate. Where several types of miniature
produce are mixed in the same package, all products and their respective
origins must be mentioned.
E.Officialcontrol mark (optional).1981R1292 — EN — 31.01.2003 — 003.001 — 11
▼B