2004R0085 — EN — 31.05.2008 — 003.001

This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents

►B COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 85/2004 of 15 January 2004 laying down the marketing standard for apples (OJ L 013, 20.1.2004, p.3)

Amended by:









▼B

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 85/2004

of 15 January 2004

laying down the marketing standard for apples







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 vegetables ( 1 ), and in particular Article 2(2), Whereas: (1) Apples are among the products listed in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 for which standards must be adopted. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1619/2001 of 6 August 2001, laying down the marketing standard for apples and pears and amending Regulation (EEC) No 920/89 ( 2 ), lays down a marketing standard common to apples and pears. (2) In the interest of clarity, the Working Party on standardisation of perishable produce and quality development of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) decided that the rules on apples should be separated from those on pears. In addition, it decided to update the UN/ECE standard FFV-50 concerning marketing and commercial quality control of apples with regards to the provisions concerning quality and sizing. In the interest of preserving transparency on the world market, Regulation (EC) No 1619/2001 should be repealed and two new marketing standards for apples and pears respectively, should be adopted accordingly. (3) The main maturity criteria laid down by Regulation (EC) No 1619/2001 is the definition of a minimum size for apples. In view of the recent technical developments concerning methods for measuring firmness and sugar contents as well as emerging new markets for small-sized mature apples, the minimum size for apples applicable in the Community should be reduced, new maturity criteria such as sugar content and firmness ensuring that such a reduction of the minimum size does not imply fruits insufficiently mature and/or developed are placed on the market. (4) More work being needed for the precise definition of these new criteria, taking into account the varietal characteristics as to the size of apples, the implementation of the reduction of the minimum size should be delayed until 1 August 2005 and provisional measures concerning sizing should be laid down until then (5) Application of these new standards should remove products of unsatisfactory quality from the market, bring production into line with consumer requirements and facilitate trade based on fair competition, thereby helping to improve profitability. (6) The standards are applicable at all marketing stages. Long-distance transport, storage over a certain period and the various processes the products undergo may cause some degree of deterioration owing to the biological development of the products or their perishable nature. Account should be taken of such deterioration when applying the standard at the marketing stages following dispatch. (7) As products in the ‘Extra’ class have to be particularly carefully sorted and packaged, only lack of freshness and turgidity is to be taken into account in their case. (8) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Whereas: HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:







Article 1

The marketing standard for apples, falling within CN code ex08 08 10, shall be as set out in the Annex.

The standard shall apply at all marketing stages under the conditions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2200/96.

However, at stages following dispatch, products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:

— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,

— for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ class, slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.

Article 2

Until ►M2 31 May 2008 ◄ , the following provisions apply with regards to sizing:

(a) when size is determined by diameter, a minimum diameter is required in all classes as follows:



Extra I II Large fruited varieties (1) 70 mm 65 mm 65 mm Other varieties 60 mm 55 mm 55 mm (1) The non-exhaustive list of large fruited varieties is given in the appendix to the Annex.

(b) when size is determined by weight, a minimum weight is required in all classes as follows:



Extra I II Large fruited varieties (1) 140 g 110 g 110 g Other varieties 90 g 80 g 80 g (1) The non-exhaustive list of large fruited varieties is given in the appendix to the Annex.

Article 3

Regulation (EEC) No 1619/2001 is deleted.

Article 4

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The second and third subparagraph of point III of the Annex only apply as from ►M2 1 June 2008 ◄ .

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.









ANNEX

STANDARD FOR APPLES

I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE

This standard applies to apples of varieties (cultivars) grown from Malus domestica Borkh., to be supplied fresh to the consumer, apples for industrial processing being excluded.

II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements of apples, after preparation and packaging.

A. Minimum requirements

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, apples must 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.

In addition, they must have been carefully picked.

The development and condition of the apples must be such as to enable them:

— to continue their maturing process and to reach the degree of maturity required in relation to the varietal characteristics ( 3 ) ( 4 ),

— to withstand transport and handling, and

— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

B. Classification

Apples are classified in three classes defined below.

(i) ‘Extra’ class

Apples in this class must be of superior quality. In shape, size and colouring, they must be characteristic of the variety ( 5 ) and with the stalk which must be intact.

The flesh must be perfectly sound.

They must be free from defects with the exception of very slight superficial defects provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.

(ii) Class I

Apples in this class must be of good quality. In shape, size and colouring, they must be characteristic of the variety (5) .

The flesh must be perfectly sound.

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,

— a slight defect in colouring,

— slight skin defects which must not extend over more than: — — 2 cm in length for defects of elongated shape, — 1 cm2 of total surface area for other defects, with the exception of scab (Venturia inaequalis), which must not extend over more than 0,25 cm2 of total surface area, — slight bruising not exceeding 1 cm2 of total surface area and not discoloured.

The stalk may be missing, provided the break is clean and the adjacent skin is not damaged.

(iii) Class II

This class includes apples which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above (5) .

The flesh must be free from major defects.

The following defects are allowed provided the fruit retains its essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:

— defects in shape,

— defects in development,

— defects in colouring,

— skin defects which must not extend over more than: — — 4 cm in length for defects of elongated shape, — 2,5 cm2 of total surface area for other defects, with the exception of scab (Venturia inaequalis), which must not extend over more than 1 cm2 of total surface area, — slight bruising not exceeding 1,5 cm2 of total surface area which may be slightly discoloured.

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III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

Size is determined either by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section or by weight.

For all varieties and for all classes the minimum size is 60 mm, if measured by diameter or 90 g, if measured by weight. Fruit of smaller sizes may be accepted, if the Brix level of the produce is greater than or equal to 10,5° Brix and the size is not smaller than 50 mm or 70 g.

To ensure there is uniformity of size within the package:

(a) for fruit sized according to the diameter, the difference in diameter between fruit in the same package shall be limited to: — 5 mm for ‘Extra’ Class fruit and for Classes I and II fruit packed in rows and layers. However, for apples of the varieties Bramley's Seedling (Bramley, Triomphe de Kiel) and Horneburger, the difference in diameter may amount to 10 mm, and — 10 mm for Class I fruit packed loose in the package or sales packages. However, for apples of the varieties Bramley's Seedling (Bramley, Triomphe de Kiel) and Horneburger, the difference in diameter may amount to 20 mm, or

(b) for fruit sized according to weight, the difference in weight between fruit in the same package shall be limited to: — 20 % of the average individual fruit weight in the package for ‘Extra’ Class fruit and for Classes I and II fruit packed in rows and layers, and — 25 % of the average individual fruit weight in the package for Class I fruit packed loose in the package or in consumer packages.

There is no sizing uniformity requirement for Class II fruit packed loose in the package or in consumer packages.

▼B

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) ‘Extra’ class

5 % by number or weight of apples not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.

(ii) Class I

10 % by number or weight of apples not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II, or exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.

(iii) Class II

10 % by number or weight of apples satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception of produce affected by rotting or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.

Within this tolerance, a maximum of 2 % number or weight of fruit is allowed which shows the following defects:

— serious attacks of cork (bitter pit) or water-core,

— slight damage or unhealed cracks,

— very slight traces of rot,

— presence of internal feeding pests and/or damage to the flesh caused by pests.

B. Size tolerances

For all classes:

10 % by number or weight of fruit not corresponding to the size immediately above or below that marked on the package, with, for fruit classified in the smallest grade allowed a maximum variation of: — 5 mm below the minimum diameter when size is determined by diameter, — 10 g below the minimum weight when size is determined by weight.

V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

A. Uniformity

The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only apples of the same origin, variety, quality and size (if sized) and the same degree of ripeness.

In the case of the ‘Extra’ class, uniformity also applies to colouring.

Sales packages of a net weight not exceeding 5 kg may contain mixtures of apples of different varieties, provided they are uniform in quality and, for each variety concerned, in origin, size (if sized) and degree of ripeness.

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions in this point, products covered by this Regulation may be mixed, in sales packages of a net weight of three kilograms or less, with different types of fresh fruit and vegetables on the conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 48/2003 ( 6 ).

The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.

B. Packaging

The apples must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. In particular, sales packages of a net weight exceeding 3 kg shall be sufficiently rigid 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, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.

Packages must be free of all foreign matter.

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Stickers individually affixed on product shall be such as, when removed, neither to leave visible traces of glue, nor to lead to skin defects.

▼B

C. Presentation

For ‘Extra’ class, fruit must be packed in layers.

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.

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A. Identification

The name and the address of the packer and/or the dispatcher

This mention may be replaced:

— for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations);

— for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller established within the Community indicated in close connection with the mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed necessary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.

▼B

B. Nature of produce

— ‘Apples’ if the contents are not visible from the outside.

— Name of the variety or varieties where appropriate.

— In the case of sales packages containing a mixture of apples of different varieties, names of each of the different varieties in the package.

C. Origin of produce

Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown, or national, regional or local place name

— In the case of sales packages containing a mixture of varieties of apples of different origins, the indication of each country of origin shall appear next to the name of the variety concerned.

D. Commercial specifications

— Class

— Size or, for fruit packed in layers, number of units.

If identification is by the size, this should be expressed:

(a) for produce subject to the uniformity rules, as minimum and maximum diameters or minimum and maximum weight;

(b) for produce not subject to the uniformity rules, the diameter or the weight of the smallest fruit in the package followed by ‘and over’ or ‘+’ or equivalent denomination or, where applicable, followed by the diameter or weight of the largest fruit.

E. Official control mark (optional)

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Packages need not to bear the particulars mentioned in the first subparagraph, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside, and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any indications such as could mislead. When these packages are palletised, the particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at least two sides of the pallet.

▼B









Appendix

1. Colouring criteria, colouring groups and codes







Colouring group A (Red varieties) B (Mixed red colouring varieties) C (Striped slightly coloured varieties) D (Other varieties) Total surface area of red colouring characteristic of the variety Total surface area of mixed red colouring characteristic of the variety Total surface area of slightly red coloured, blushed or striped characteristic of the variety Extra class 3/4 1/2 1/3 No requirement as to red colouring Class I 1/2 1/3 1/10 Class II 1/4 1/10 —

2. Russeting criteria

Group R: Varieties for which russeting is a characteristic of the skin and is not a defect if it corresponds to the typical appearance of the variety.

For varieties not marked with an ‘R’ in the list below, russeting is allowed within the following limits:



‘Extra’ class Class I Class II Tolerance for Class II (i) Brown patches — not outside the stem cavity — may go slightly beyond the stem or pistil cavities — may go beyond the stem or pistil cavities — fruit not seriously detracting from the appearance and condition of the package — not rough — not rough — slightly rough (ii) Russeting Maximum surface area of the fruit permitted — thin net-like russeting (not contrasting strongly with the general colouring of the fruit) — slight and isolated traces of russeting not altering the general appearance of the fruit or of the package 1/5 1/2 — fruit not seriously detracting from the appearance and condition of the package — heavy — none 1/20 1/3 — fruit not seriously detracting from the appearance and condition of the package — cumulative defects (with the exception of the brown patches which are excluded from these cumulative defects). In no case may thin russeting and heavy russeting taken together exceed a maximum of: — 1/5 1/2 — fruit not seriously detracting from the appearance and condition of the package

3. Size criteria:

Group L: large fruited apple varieties mentioned in the second subparagraph of title III of the present standard.

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4. Non-exhaustive list of apple varieties classified according to their colouring, russeting and size criteria: Fruits of varieties that are not part of the list must be graded according to their varietal characteristics.



Varieties Synonyms Colour group Russeting Size African Red B Akane Tohoku 3 B Alborz Seedling C Aldas B L Alice B Alkmene Early Windsor C Alwa B Angold C L Apollo Beauty of Blackmoor C L Arkcharm Arkansas No 18, A 18 C L Arlet B R Aroma C Red coloured mutants of Aroma, for example Aroma Amorosa B Auksis B Belfort Pella B Belle de Boskoop and mutants D R L Belle fleur double D L Berlepsch Freiherr von Berlepsch C Berlepsch rouge Red Berlepsch, Roter Berlepsch B Blushed Golden L Bohemia B L Boskoop rouge Red Boskoop, Roter Boskoop B R L Braeburn B L Red coloured mutants of Braeburn, for example: Hidala Joburn Lochbuie Red Braeburn Mahana Red Mariri Red Redfield Royal Braeburn A L Bramley's Seedling Bramley, Triomphe de Kiel D L Brettacher Sämling D L Calville (group of …) D L Cardinal B Carola Kalco C L Caudle B Charden D L Charles Ross D L Civni B Coromandel Red Corodel A Cortland B L Cox's orange pippin and mutants Cox Orange C R Red coloured mutants of Cox's Orange Pippin for example: Cherry Cox B R Crimson Bramley D L Cripps Pink C Cripps Red C (1) Dalinbel B Delblush D L Delcorf and mutants, for example: Dalili Monidel C L Delgollune B L Delicious ordinaire Ordinary Delicious B Deljeni D L Delikates B Delor C L Discovery C Dunn's Seedling D R Dykmanns Zoet C Egremont Russet D R Elan D L Elise Red Delight A L Ellison's orange Ellison C L Elstar and mutants, for example: Daliter Elshof Elstar Armhold Elstar Reinhardt C Red coloured mutants of Elstar, for example: Bel-El Daliest Goedhof Red Elstar Valstar B Empire A Falstaff C Fiesta Red Pippin C Florina B L Fortune D R Fuji and mutants B L Gala C Red coloured mutants of Gala, for example: Annaglo Baigent Galaxy Mitchgla Obrogala Regala Regal Prince Tenroy A Garcia D L Gloster B L Goldbohemia D L Golden Delicious and mutants D L Golden Russet D R Goldrush Coop 38 D L Goldstar D L Gradigold D L Granny Smith D L Gravenstein rouge Red Gravenstein, Roter Gravensteiner B L Gravensteiner Gravenstein D L Greensleeves D L Holsteiner Cox and mutants Holstein D R Holstein rouge Red Holstein, Roter Holsteiner Cox C R Honeycrisp C L Honeygold D L Horneburger D L Howgate Wonder Manga D L Idared B L Ingrid Marie B R Isbranica Izbranica C Jacob Fisher D L Jacques Lebel D L Jamba C L James Grieve and mutants D L James Grieve rouge Red James Grieve B L Jarka C L Jerseymac B Jester D L Jonagold (2) and mutants, for example: C L Crowngold Daligo Daliguy Jonasty Dalijean Jonamel Jonagold 2000 Excel Jonabel Jonabres King Jonagold New Jonagold Fukushima Novajo Veulemanns Schneica Wilmuta Jonagored and mutants, for example: A L Decosta Jomured Van de Poel Jonagold Boerekamp Jomar Jonagored Supra Jonaveld Primo Romagold Surkijn Rubinstar Red Jonaprince Jonalord C Jonathan B Julia B Jupiter D L Karmijn de Sonnaville C R L Katy Katja B Kent D R Kidd's orange red C R Kim B Koit C L Krameri Tuvioun B Kukikovskoje B Lady Williams B L Lane's Prince Albert D L Laxton's Superb Laxtons Superb C R Ligol B L Lobo B Lodel A Lord Lambourne C Maigold B Mc Intosh B Meelis B L Melba B Melodie B L Melrose C L Meridian C Moonglo C Morgenduft Imperatore B L Mountain Cove D L Mutsu D L Normanda C L Nueva Europa C Nueva Orleans B L Odin B Ontario B L Orlovskoje Polosatoje C Ozark Gold D L Paula Red B Pero de Cirio D L Piglos B L Pikant B L Pikkolo C Pilot C Pimona C Pinova C Pirella B L Piros C L Rafzubex A Rafzubin C Rajka B Rambour d'hiver D L Rambour Franc B Reanda B L Rebella C L Red Delicious and mutants, for example: Campsur Erovan Evasni Flatrar Fortuna Delicious Otago Red King Red Spur Red York Richared Royal Red Sandidge Shotwell Delicious Stark Delicious Starking Starkrimson Starkspur Topred Trumdor Well Spur A L Red Dougherty A Red Rome A Redkroft A Regal A Regina B L Reglindis C L Reine des Reinettes Goldparmäne, Gold Parmoné C Reineta Encarnada B Reinette Rouge du Canada B L Reinette d'Orléans D L Reinette Blanche du Canada Reinette du Canada, Canada Blanc, Kanadarenette, Renetta del Canada D R L Reinette de France D L Reinette de Landsberg D L Reinette grise du Canada Graue Kanadarenette D R L Relinda C Remo B Renora B L Resi B Resista D L Retina B L Rewena B L Roja de Benejama Verruga, Roja del Valle, Clavelina A Rome Beauty Belle de Rome, Rome B Rosana Berner Rosenapfel B L Royal Beaut A L Rubin C L Rubinola B L Sciearly A Scifresh B Sciglo A Sciray GS48 A Scired A R Sciros A L Selena B L Shampion B L Sidrunkollane Talioun D L Sinap Orlovskij Orlovski Sinap D L Snygold Earlygold D L Sommerregent C Spartan A Splendour A St. Edmunds Pippin D R Stark's Earliest C Štaris Staris A Sturmer Pippin D R Sügisdessert C L Sügisjoonik C L Summerred B Sunrise A Sunset D R Suntan D R L Sweet Caroline C L Talvenauding B Tellisaare B Tiina B L Topaz B Tydeman's Early Worcester Tydeman's Early B L Veteran B Vista Bella Bellavista B Wealthy B Worcester Pearmain B York B Zarja Alatau Zarya Alatau D (1) At least 20 % red in Class I and Class II. (2) However, for the variety Jonagold, at least one-tenth surface of the fruit in Class II must be streaked with red colouring.