Commission Regulation (EC) No 900/2008 of 16 September 2008 laying down the methods of analysis and other technical provisions necessary for the application of the arrangements for imports of certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products (Codified version)
Date: 2008-09-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: analytical chemistry, customs regulations, disclosure of information, import (EU), milk fat, starch, sugar

L 248/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.9.2008

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 900/2008

of 16 September 2008

laying down the methods of analysis and other technical provisions necessary for the application of
the arrangements for imports of certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural
products

(Codified version)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Article 2

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of
23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and
on the Common Customs Tariff (1), and in particular Article 9
thereof,

In accordance with the definitions set out in Annex III to Regu­
lation (EC) No 1460/96 concerning starch/glucose content, and
sucrose/invert sugar/isoglucose content, and for the purpose of
applying Annexes II and III to that Regulation, the following
formulae, procedures and methods shall be used for starch/
glucose and sucrose/invert sugar/isoglucose content:

1. Starch/glucose content:

Whereas:

(expressed as 100 % anhydrous starch content of the goods
as presented)

(1)

(2)

4154/87

Regulation

(EEC) No

Commission
of
22 December 1987 laying down the methods of
analysis and other technical provisions necessary for
the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No
3033/80 laying down the trade arrangements applicable
to certain goods resulting from the processing of agri­
cultural products (2) has been substantially amended (3).
In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Regu­
lation should be codified.

In order to ensure that goods subject to Council Regu­
lation (EC) No 3448/93 of 6 December 1993 laying
down the trade arrangements applicable to certain
resulting from the processing of agricultural
goods
products (4)
receive uniform treatment on import
it is necessary that, when
throughout the Community,
laying down analytic methods and other
technical
the scientific
provisions, account should be taken of
and technological evolution of analytical methods.

(3)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of the Tariff and Statistical
Nomenclature Section of the Customs Code Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

This Regulation lays down the methods of analysis necessary for
the application of Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 as far as imports
are concerned and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1460/96 (5),
or, in the absence of a method of analysis, the nature of the
analytical operations to be carried out or the principle of a
method to be applied.

(1) OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 392, 31.12.1987, p. 19.
(3) See Annex IV.
(4) OJ L 318, 20.12.1993, p. 18.
(5) OJ L 187, 26.7.1996, p. 18.

(a)

(Z – F) × 0,9,

the glucose content

if
content; or

is not

less than the fructose

(b) (Z – G) × 0,9,

if the glucose content is less than the fructose content

where:

Z = is the glucose content determined by the method set

out in Annex I to this Regulation;

F = is the fructose content determined by HPLC (high

performance liquid chromatography);

G = is the glucose content determined by HPLC.

In the case of point (a), where the presence of a lactose
hydrolysate is declared and/or quantities of
lactose and
galactose are detected, a glucose content equivalent to the
galactose content (determined by HPLC) shall be deducted
from the glucose content (Z) before any other calculation is
made.

2. Sucrose/invert sugar/isoglucose content:

(expressed as sucrose content of the goods as presented)

(a) S + (2F) × 0,95,

the glucose content

if
content;

is not

less than the fructose

17.9.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 248/9

(b) S + (G + F) × 0,95,

— the total percentage nitrogen content by weight shall

be determined by the Kjeldahl method,

if the glucose content is less than the fructose content

where:

S = is the sucrose content determined by HPLC;

F = is the fructose content determined by HPLC;

G = is the glucose content determined by HPLC.

— the milk protein content

shall be calculated as
indicated in point (a) by subtracting from the total
percentage nitrogen content
the nitrogen content
corresponding to the non-milk proteins.

Article 3

For the purposes of applying Annex I to Regulation (EC) No
1460/96, the following methods and/or procedures shall be
used:

Where the presence of a lactose hydrolysate is declared
lactose and galactose are detected, a
and/or quantities of
glucose
content
(determined by HPLC) shall be deducted from the glucose
(G) content before any other calculation is made.

equivalent

galactose

to the

content

3. Milk fat content:

(a) Save as otherwise provided in point (b), the milk fat
content by weight of the goods as presented shall be
determined by extraction with light petroleum after
hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid;

(b) Where fats other than milk fats are also declared in the
composition of the goods, the following procedure shall
be applied:

— the percentage of weight of

fats in the
goods shall be determined as mentioned in point (a),

the total

— for the purposes of determining the milk fat content,
a method based on extraction with light petroleum,
preceded by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid and
the methyl
followed by gas chromatography of
esters of
the
If
the fatty acids
the percentage
presence of milk fats is detected,
proportion thereof shall be calculated by multiplying
the percentage concentration of methyl butyrate by
25, multiplying the product by the total percentage
fat content by weight of the goods and dividing by
100.

shall be used.

4. Milk protein content:

(a) Save as otherwise provided in point (b), the milk protein
content of the goods shall be calculated by multiplying
the nitrogen content
(determined by the Kjeldahl
method) by the factor 6,38;

1. For the purposes of classifying goods falling within CN codes
0403 10 51 to 0403 10 59, 0403 10 91 to 0403 10 99,
to
0403 90 71
0403 90 99,
shall be
determined by the method referred to in point 3 of
Article 2 of this Regulation;

to
the milk fat content by weight

0403 90 91

0403 90 79

and

2. For the purposes of classifying goods falling within CN codes
1704 10 11 to 1704 10 99 and 1905 20 10 to 1905 20 90,
the sucrose content,
including invert sugar expressed as
sugar
sucrose,
expressed as sucrose means the sum of equal amounts of
glucose and fructose multiplied by 0,95);

shall be determined by HPLC;

(invert

3. For the purposes of classifying goods falling within CN codes
1806 10 10 to 1806 10 90,
the sucrose/invert sugar/iso­
glucose content shall be determined in accordance with the
formulae, method and procedures set out in point 2 of
Article 2 of this Regulation;

4. For the purposes of classifying goods falling within CN codes
the starch, dextrin or other
shall be determined by the

3505 20 10 to 3505 20 90,
modified starch content
method set out in Annex II to this Regulation;

5. For the purposes of classifying goods falling within CN codes
3809 10 10 to 3809 10 90, the amylaceous substances shall
be determined by the method set out in Annex II to this
Regulation;

(b) Where components containing proteins other than milk
proteins are also declared in the composition of
the
goods:

6. For the purposes of classifying goods falling within either CN
code 1901 90 11 or CN code 1901 90 19, the distinction
shall be drawn on the basis of the dry extract determined by
drying at a temperature of 103 ± 2 °C to constant weight;

L 248/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.9.2008

7. For the purposes of classifying goods falling within CN codes
1902 19 10 and 1902 19 90, the method set out in Annex
III to this Regulation shall be used to test for the presence of
common wheat flours and semolinas in pasta;

principle of the method to be applied, as indicated in this
Regulation,

— any factors liable to have influenced the results,

8. The content of mannitol and D-glucitol

(sorbitol) of the
goods falling within CN codes 2905 44 11 to 2905 44 99
and 3824 60 11 to 3824 60 99 shall be determined by
HPLC.

— the results of the analysis, with due regard to the way in
which they are expressed in the method used and the means
of expression dictated by the needs of
the customs or
administrative departments that requested the analysis.

Article 4

A test report shall be drawn up.

The test report shall include the following particulars:

1.

2.

— all the information necessary for identifying the sample,

— the Community method used and precise reference to the
legal instrument in which it is laid down, or, where appro­
priate, detailed reference to a method, specifying the nature
the
the analytical operations to be carried out, or
of

Regulation (EEC) No 4154/87 is repealed.

Article 5

References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as
references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance
with the correlation table in Annex V.

Article 6

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

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

Done at Brussels, 16 September 2008.

For the Commission
The President

José Manuel BARROSO

17.9.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 248/11

ANNEX I

Determination of starch content and its degradation products including glucose

1.

PURPOSE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

(a) The method permits the determination of the starch content,

hereafter referred to as ‘starch’.

its degradation products including glucose,

(b) ‘Starch’ content referred to in point (a) is equal to value E, as calculated in point 6(a) of the present Annex.

2.

PRINCIPLE
The sample is broken down by means of sodium hydroxide and the ‘starch’ divided into glucose units with
amyloglucosidase. The glucose determination is performed by the enzymatic route.

3.

REAGENTS

(Use double-distilled water)

3.1.

0,5 N sodium hydroxide solution (0,5 mol/l).

3.2.

96 % (minimum) glacial acetic acid.

3.3.

Solution of amyloglucosidase:

Immediately before use, dissolve approximately 10 mg of amyloglucosidase (EC 3.2.1.3) (60 U per mg) in one ml
of water (1).

3.4.

Triethanolamine buffer solution:

dissolve 14,0 g of
magnesium sulphate MgSO47H2O)
solution (5 mol/l) and adjust the pH to 7,6, using a 1 N sodium hydroxide solution (1 mol/l).

triethanolamine hydrochloride [tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium chloride] and 0,25 g of
in 80 ml of water, add approximately 5 ml of 5 N sodium hydroxyde

Make up to 100 ml with water. This buffer solution can be kept for at least four weeks at 4 °C.

3.5. NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, disodium salt) solution:

dissolve 60 mg of NADP in 6 ml of water. This solution can be kept for at least four weeks at 4 °C.

3.6. ATP (adenosine-5′-triphosphate, disodium salt) solution:

dissolve 300 mg of ATP. 3H2O and 300 mg of sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) in 6 ml of water. This
solution can be kept for at least four weeks at 4 °C.

3.7.

Suspension HK/G6P-DH [Hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49)]:

suspend 280 U HK and 140 U of G6P-DH in 1 ml of 3,2 M ammonium sulphate solution. This suspension can be
kept for at least one year at 4 °C.

4.

APPARATUS

4.1. Magnetic stirrer water bath at 60 °C.

4.2. Magnetic rods.

4.3. UV spectrophotometer with 1 cm optical cells.

4.4.

Pipettes for enzymatic analysis.

(1) U is the international unit of enzyme activity.

L 248/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.9.2008

5.

METHOD
The sample is digested in sodium hydroxide and the ‘starch’ subject to enzymatic hydrolysis

5.1.
5.1.1. Select the weight of sample as follows, according to the presumed ‘starch’ content (the ‘starch’ content must not

exceed 0,4 g per sample) as follows:

Presumed ‘starch’ content of
product in g/100 g

Approximate weight of
sample in g
(p)

Volume of graduated flask in
ml

Dilution factor up to 1 litre
(f)

> 70

20-70

5-20

< 5

0,35-0,4

max. 0,5

max. 1

max. 2

500

500

250

200

2

2

4

5

5.1.2. Weigh the sample exactly to 0,1 mg.

5.1.3. Add 50 ml of 0,5 N sodium hydroxide solution (point 3.1) and stir continuously for 30 minutes in the water bath

(point 4.1) with a magnetic stirrer at 60 °C.

5.1.4. Add a few ml of concentrated acetic acid (point 3.2) and bring the pH to 4,6 to 4,8.

5.1.5. Place in the water bath with the magnetic stirrer (point 4.1) at 60 °C, add 1,0 ml of enzyme solution (point 3.3)

and allow to react whilst stirring continuously for 30 minutes.

5.1.6. After cooling, transfer quantitatively to a graduated flask (point 5.1.1) and make up to the mark with water.

5.1.7. If necessary, filter through a fluted filter (see Note 1).

5.2. Quantitative determination of glucose
5.2.1. The test solution must contain 100 to 1 000 mg of glucose per litre, which corresponds to a ΔΕ

and 1,0.

340 of between 0,1

The absorbence of the test solution in a 1 + 30 dilution with water must not exceed 0,4 (measured against air), at
340 nm.

5.2.2. Bring the buffer solution (point 3.4) to ambient temperature (20 °C).

5.2.3. The temperature of the reagents and of the sample must be between 20 and 25 °C.

5.2.4. Measure the absorbence at 340 nm against air (i.e. with no optical cell in the reference path).

5.2.5. Proceed in accordance with the pipetting chart below:

Pour into the optical cells

Buffer (reagent 3.4)

NADP (reagent 3.5)

ATP (reagent 3.6)

Test solution (5.1.6 or 5.1.7)

Double-distilled water

Control
(ml)

1,00

0,10

0,10
—

2,00

Mix and, after about three minutes, measure the absorbence of the solutions (E1).
Initiate the reaction by adding:

HK/G6P.DH (reagent 3.7)

0,02

Test
(ml)

1,00

0,10

0,10

0,10

1,90

0,02

Mix, allow the reaction to proceed to completion (approximately 15 minutes) and measure the absorbence of the solutions (E2).
If the reaction has not stopped after 15 minutes read absorbences at five-minute intervals until the rate of increase is constant.
Then extrapolate backwards to the time of addition of suspension (referred to in point 3.7 (see Note 2).

17.9.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 248/13

5.2.6. Calculate the absorbence differences for reagent blank and sample (E2

reagent blank (ΔΕ reagent blank) from that of the sample (ΔΕ sample):

– E1). Subtract absorbence difference of the

ΔΕ = ΔΕ

sample

– ΔΕ

reagent blank

This difference gives the glucose content of the test solution:

Glucose content contained in test solution, g/l

Gl = ((3,22 × 180,16)/(6,3 × 1 × 0,1 × 1 000)) × ΔΕ

340 = 0,921 × ΔΕ

340

(3,22: volume of the solution to be measured; 1: cell thickness; 0,1: volume of the sample solution; the molecular weight of
glucose is 180,16 (g/mol).

5.2.7. If, for any reason, a measurement cannot be made of 340 nm, the measurement may be made at a wavelength of
365 nm or 334 nm, in which case the figure 6,3 in the formula for Gl above should be replaced by the figure 3,5
or 6,18 respectively.

6.

CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS
(a) E = ‘Starch’ content in g/100 g:

E = ((100 × 0,9 × Gl)/(p × f))

(b) Z = ‘Glucose’ content in g/100 g:

Z = ((100 × Gl)/(p × f))

where:

Gl = glucose in G/l (5.2.6);

F

= dilution factor (5.1.1);

p = weight of sample in g;

0,9 = glucose conversion factor for starch.

Notes:

(1) Where a test solution cannot be filtered according to point 5.1.7, appropriate methods should be taken in order to

obtain a clear solution.

(2) Where an inhibition of enzymes occurs, it is advisable to apply a method which involves the addition of known

amounts of pure starch.

L 248/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.9.2008

ANNEX II

Determination of starches or dextrins or other modified starches content in goods of CN codes 3505 20 10 to
3505 20 90 and of amylaceous substances content in goods of CN codes 3809 10 10 to 3809 10 90

I.

PRINCIPLE
Starch is converted by acid hydrolysis into reducing sugars which are determined by volume using Fehling’s solution.

II. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS

1. 250 ml flask;

2. 200 ml graduated flask;

3. 25 ml graduated burette;

4. Hydrochloric acid at 1,19 density;

5. Potassium hydroxide solution;

6. Decolourising charcoal;

7. Fehling’s solution;

8. Methylene blue solution (1 %).

III. METHOD

Into a 250 ml flask place a sample containing about 1 g of starch. Add 100 ml of distilled water and 2 ml of
hydrochloric acid. Bring to the boil and reflux for three hours.

Transfer the contents of the flask and rinsings into a 200 ml graduated flask. Cool and nearly neutralise with
potassium hydroxide solution. Add distilled water to 200 ml and filter through a little decolourising charcoal.

Then pour the solution into a graduated burette and reduce 10 ml of Fehling’s solution by the following method:

Into a flat-bottomed flask of about 250 ml pour 10 ml of Fehling’s solution (5 ml of solution A and 5 ml of solution
B). Shake until clear and add 40 ml of distilled water and a small quantity of quartz or pumice.

Place the flask on a square asbestos plate with a round hole of about 6 cm diameter in the centre, the asbestos in
turn resting on a piece of wire gauze. Heat the flask at such a rate that the liquid begins boiling after about two
minutes.

From the burette, add to the boiling liquid successive quantities of the sugar solution until the blue colour of the
Fehling’s solution becomes hardly discernible; then add 2 or 3 drops of methylene blue solution as indicator, and
complete the titration by adding further quantities of the sugar solution, drop by drop, until the blue colour of the
indicator disappears.

For greater accuracy repeat the titration under the same conditions, but adding without a break almost all the sugar
solution required to reduce the Fehling’s solution. In this second titration, the reduction of the Fehling’s solution
should occur within three minutes. Keep boiling for exactly two further minutes, adding the reagent within one
minute drop by drop to the boiling solution until the blue colour disappears.

The percentage by weight of starch in the sample is determined by means of the following formula:

where:

starch % = ((T × 200 × 100)/(n × p)) × 0,95

T:

n:

p:

is the quantity in grams of anhydrous dextrose corresponding to 10 ml of Fehling’s solution (5 ml of solution
A and 5 ml of solution B). This titer corresponds to 0,04945 g of anhydrous dextrose when solution A
contains 17,636 g of copper per litre;

is the number of ml of the sugar solution used for titration;

is the weight of the sample amount;

0,95:

is the rate of conversion of anhydrous dextrose into starch.

17.9.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 248/15

IV. PREPARATION OF FEHLING’S SOLUTIONS

Solution A:

In a graduated flask dissolve 69,278 g of pure crystallised copper sulphate — Analytical Reagent
(CuSO4 5H2O) — free from iron in distilled water and bring the volume to 1 litre with distilled
water. The correct strength of this solution must be verified by a quantitative determination of the
copper.

Solution B:

In a graduated flask dissolve 100 g of sodium hydroxide and 346 g of double sodium potassium
tartrate (Rochelle salt) in distilled water and bring the volume to 1 litre with distilled water.

The two solutions A and B must be mixed in equal quantities immediately before use. 10 ml of Fehling’s solution
(5 ml of solution A and 5 ml of solution B) is completely reduced, under the conditions described at section III, by
0,04945 g of anhydrous dextrose.

L 248/16

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.9.2008

ANNEX III

Detection of common wheat flour or meal in macaroni, spaghetti and similar products (pasta)

(by the Young and Gilles method, modified by Bernaerts and Gruner)

I.

PRINCIPLE

An extract of the sample of the pasta for analysis is prepared by using a non-polar solvent.

This extract is chromatographed on a thin layer of silica gel so as to separate the sterols present in various band form
fractions.

According to the number of brightly coloured bands it is possible to determine whether the product under exa­
mination has been manufactured exclusively from durum wheat or common wheat, or from a mixture of the two. It
is also possible to determine whether eggs have been added.

II. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS

1. Homogeniser or grinder to obtain a grist that will pass through a standard sieve with a 0,200 mm mesh;

2. Standard sieve with a 0,200 mm mesh;

3. Evaporator with a water bath for evaporation under reduced pressure;

4. Glass plate, aluminium sheet or other appropriate backing measuring 20 cm × 20 cm covered with a thin layer
of silica gel. If the thin layer has to be prepared, silica gel mixed with about 13 % plaster should be used, and it
should be applied in a 0,25 mm layer with suitable apparatus in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;

5. Micropipette for measuring 20 microlitres;

6. Container with lid suitable for the development of chromatograms;

7. Atomiser;

8. Petroleum ether with a boiling point between 40 and 60 °C, redistilled before use;

9. Anhydrous ethyl ether for analysis;

10. Carbon tetrachloride for chromatography, redistilled before use;

11. Phosphomolybdic acid for analysis;

12. 94° ethyl alcohol.

III. METHOD

Grind about 20 g of the sample for analysis so that all of it passes through the sieve. Put the sample in an Erlenmeyer
flask and cover with 150 ml petroleum ether. Leave at normal temperature until the following day. Shake from time
to time.

Then filter on a Büchner funnel fitted with a filtering aid or on a sintered filter. Gradually transfer the clear solution
thus obtained into a 100 ml calibrated flask. Evaporate the solvent under reduced pressure by heating the flask in a
water bath at 40 °C to 50 °C. When the solvent has evaporated, heat under reduced pressure for a further ten
minutes.

When the flask has cooled, determine the weight of the extract. Dilute the extract in ethyl ether on the basis of 1 ml
ethyl ether per 60 mg of extract.

Activate the thin layers by bringing them to 130 °C for three hours. Leave to cool in a desiccator containing silica gel.
Plates which are not used immediately can be preserved in the same desiccator.

Apply, drop by drop, 20 microlitres of the clear solution to form a band of constant width and 3 cm in length on a
layer preferably newly activated. Let the solvent evaporate.

Develop the chromatogram under normal temperature with carbon tetrachloride using a chromatographic container
the walls of which are covered with filter paper soaked in solvent. After about an hour the solvent will reach a height
of 18 cm. Remove the plate and leave the solvent to evaporate in the open. For better separation of the bands,
develop the chromatogram a second time. Again let the solvent evaporate in the open.

Spray the thin layer of silica gel with a solution of 20 % phosphomolybdic acid in ethyl alcohol. The colour of the
layer must be a uniform yellow. Develop the bands by the heating the sprayed plate at 110 °C for five minutes.

17.9.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 248/17

IV. INTERPRETATION OF THE CHROMATOGRAM

If the chromatogram shows a single main brightly coloured band with an Rf of about 0,4 to 0,5, the wheat used for
the manufacture of the pasta in question is durum wheat. If, on the other hand, two main bands of equal brightness
appear, the raw material used is common wheat. Mixtures of durum wheat and common wheat can be assessed by an
evaluation of the relative brightness of the two bands.

If there are three bands (two bands at the height where the main bands for common wheat are to be found, with a
further band between them) eggs have been added to pasta. In this case, the raw material used is durum wheat if the
middle band is brighter than the upper band. On the other hand, if the upper band is brighter than the middle band,
the raw material used is common wheat.

ANNEX IV

Repealed Regulation with its amendment

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 4154/87

(OJ L 392, 31.12.1987, p. 19).

Commission Regulation (EC) No 203/98

(OJ L 21, 28.1.1998, p. 6).

ANNEX V

Correlation Table

Regulation (EEC) No 4154/87

This Regulation

Articles 1 to 4

Articles 1 to 4

Article 5

—

Article 6

—

Article 5

Article 6

Annexes I, II and III

Annexes I, II and III

—

—

Annex IV

Annex V