COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMVTUNITIES 
COM(94) 507 final 
Brussels, 22.11.1994 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 
amending Regulation (EEC) N* 1907/90 
on certain marketing standards for eggs 
(presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The regular review on the application of common egg standards has shown a 
need for certain amendments. 
Two of the modifications proposed aim at providing more flexibility to egg 
packers regarding utilisation of reusable open containers and indications 
in the case of EXTRA eggs. 
The other two amendments concern the adaptation of the definition of 
"batch" to the recent modification on the obligatory indication of the date 
of minimum durability and an exemption for egg sales from producers to 
retailers in the Nordic regions of Finland and Norway. 
Since the principal aim of common marketing standards for eggs is to 
facilitate intra-Community trade, these standards should apply uniformly in 
all Member states. This is the case for three of the four items proposed, 
whereas the fourth point takes into account the particular conditions for 
egg marketing in northern Finland and Norway. 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) N" /94 
of 
amending Regulation (EEC) H* 1907/90 
on certain marketing standards for eggs 
THE C 211. OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Havin sgard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 
Havin agard to Council Regulation (EEC) N* 2771/75 of 29 October 1975 on 
the c Dn organization of the market in eggs(^) and in particular 
Artie 2(2) thereof, 
Havin egard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Where Regulation (EEC) N° 1907/90*2) lays down certain marketing 
stand s for eggs; 
Where the definition of the batch should be brought in line with the 
recer odification concerning the obligatory indication of the date of 
mini» durability; 
Where Regulation (EEC) N° 1907/90 excludes direct sales of eggs from 
prodi s to consumers from its scope of application; in order to take 
accoi of the specific conditions of egg marketing in the Nordic regions in 
Finie and Norway, sales from producers to retail outlets in those regions 
shouj lso be excluded from its scope of application; 
Where 
be ar 
conte 
(1) 
(2) the provisions on the use of bands or labels on large packs should 
ed in order not to prevent the utilisation of reusable open 
rs for the transport of loose eggs; 
L 282, 1.11.1975, p. 49. Regulation as last amended by Regulation 
C) N° 1574/93 (OJ L 152, 24.6.1993, p. 1). 
L 173, 6.7.1990,p. 5. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EEC) N" 
7/93 (OJ L 240, 25.9.1993, p. 1). 
- 2 -
Whereas the length of the period during which grade A eggs may be sold as 
"extra" should be defined in relation to either the packing or laying date, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION 
Article 1 
Regulation (EEC) N* 1907/90 is hereby amended as follows : 
1) In Article 1 point 10, the term "packing or grading date" shall be 
replaced by the term "date of minimum durability". 
2) Article 2(3) shall be replaced by the following : 
"3. This Regulation shall not apply to 
- eggs sold directly to the consumer for his own use by the producer 
on his own farm, in a local public market with the exception of 
auction markets, or by door-to-door selling, 
- eggs, excluding broken and cracked eggs, sold to the retailer by 
the producer in the specific regions of Norway and Finland referred 
to in Article 142 of the Act of Accession, 
provided that the eggs come from the producers own production and are not 
packed in accordance with Articles 10, 11 and 12 and that use is not made 
of any of the quality and weight gradings laid down in this Regulation." 
3) In Article 11(1), the first sentence shall be replaced by the following : 
"1. Large packs shall be provided with a band or label, bearing the 
particulars referred to in Article 10, which shall not be re-used and 
which shall be issued by or under the supervision of the official 
agencies referred to in Article 18." 
- 3 -
4) AT- .e 12 shall be replaced by the following : 
"Article 12 
The wc 'extra' may be used on small packs containing class A eggs provided 
with < tnd or label. It shall be printed on the band or label, which shall 
be ret id and destroyed not later than the seventh day after packing or the 
ninth r after laying." 
Article 2 
This F ilation shall enter into force on 1 January 1995. 
This I ilation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
all He ;r States. 
Done c Brussels, 
For the Council, 
The President 
(A) 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
1. BUDGET HEADING : Chap. 24 APPROPRIATIONS : 133 Mio ECU 
2. TITLE : 
Draft Council Regulation amending R. 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs 
LEGAL BASIS : Council Regulation 2771/75 
AIMS OF THE PROJECT : 
- Provide more flexibility to egg packers regarding utilisation of reusable open 
containers and indications in the case of EXTRA eggs. 
- Adaptation of the definition of "batch" to the recent modification on the 
obligatory indication of the date of minimum durability and an exemption for 
certain Nordic Regions 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
b.O EXPENDITURE 
- CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET 
(REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) 
- NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION 
- OTHERS 
5.1 RECEIPTS 
- OWN RESSOURCES OF THE EC 
(LEVELS/CUSTOMS DUTIES) 
- NATIONAL PERIOD OF 
12 MONTHS 
(Mio ECU) 
p.m. 
p.m. H-CURRENT FI­
NANCIAL YEAR 
(1995) 
p.m. 
p.m. f-FOLLOWING 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR ( 1 f)9f>) 
p.m. 
p. m. 
1997 1998 1999 2000 
5.0.1 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1 ESTIMATED RECEIPTS p.m. p.m. p.m. | p.m. 
5.2 METHOD OF CALCULATION 
6.0 CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT 
CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET YES/NO 
6.1 CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE 
CURRENT BUDGET YES/NO 
6.2 IS A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET NECESSARY ? YES/NO 
6.3 WILL FUTURE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS BE NECESSARY ? YES /NO 
OBSERVATIONS 
KSN 0254-1475 
GOM(94) 507 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 10 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-534-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-82292-9 
Office foi Sciai Publications of the European Communities 
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