++++

( 1 ) OJ N 192 , 27 . 10 . 1966 , P . 3286/66 .

( 2 ) OJ N L 318 , 18 . 12 . 1969 , P . 10 .

( 3 ) OJ N 30 , 20 . 4 . 1962 , P . 965/62 .

( 4 ) OJ N L 318 , 18 . 12 . 1969 , P . 4 .

REGULATION ( EEC ) N 496/70 OF THE COMMISSION

OF 17 MARCH 1970

LAYING DOWN INITIAL PROVISIONS ON QUALITY CONTROL OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE EXPORTED TO THIRD COUNTRIES

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,

HAVING REGARD TO THE TREATY ESTABLISHING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY ;

HAVING REGARD TO COUNCIL REGULATION N 159/66/EEC ( 1 ) OF 25 OCTOBER 1966 ON ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR THE COMMON ORGANISATION OF THE MARKET IN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES , AS LAST AMENDED BY REGULATION ( EEC ) N 2515/69 ( 2 ) , AND IN PARTICULAR ARTICLE 10 ( 3 ) THEREOF ;

WHEREAS IT FOLLOWS FROM ARTICLE 10 OF REGULATION N 159/66/EEC THAT PRODUCTS FOR WHICH COMMON QUALITY STANDARDS ARE LAID DOWN ARE ADMITTED FOR EXPORT TO THIRD COUNTRIES ONLY IF THEY COME WITHIN THE " EXTRA " CLASS , CLASS I OR II AND IF THE EXPORTING MEMBER STATE SUBMITS THESE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT TO THIRD COUNTRIES TO QUALITY INSPECTION BEFORE THEY CROSS THE FRONTIER OF ITS TERRITORY ;

WHEREAS , TO ENSURE A REASONABLE UNIFORMITY IN THE INSPECTION OF EXPORTS IN DIFFERENT MEMBER STATES , THE TECHNICAL PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED SHOULD BE LAID DOWN ;

WHEREAS A CERTIFICATE SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR EACH CONSIGNMENT EXPORTED , ATTESTING THAT THE PRODUCT SUBMITTED FOR INSPECTION COMPLIES WITH THE COMMON QUALITY STANDARDS CONCERNING IT ; WHEREAS THE CONDITIONS FOR COMPLETING AND ISSUING THE CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION SHOULD BE LAID DOWN ;

WHEREAS THE MEASURES PROVIDED FOR IN THIS REGULATION ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OPINION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES ;

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :

ARTICLE 1

1 . THE QUALITY CONTROL OF EXPORTS , REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 10 ( 2 ) OF REGULATION N 159/66/EEC , SHALL BE COMPULSORY FOR THE PRODUCTS SHOWN IN ANNEX 1 TO COUNCIL REGULATION N 23 ( 3 ) ON THE PROGRESSIVE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMON ORGANISATION OF THE MARKET IN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES , AS LAST AMENDED BY REGULATION ( EEC ) N 2512/69 ( 4 ) . ITS OBJECT IS TO ASCERTAIN THAT , IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CRITERIA LAID DOWN IN ARTICLE 3 , THE PRODUCTS SUBMITTED FOR INSPECTION COME WITHIN EITHER THE " EXTRA " CLASS , CLASS I OR II AND THAT THEIR QUALITY AND CLASS CONFORM TO THE COMMON QUALITY STANDARDS .

2 . THE AUTHORITIES DESIGNATED BY EACH MEMBER STATE AND LISTED IN ANNEX 1 TO THIS REGULATION SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTION .

THE AUTHORITIES SHALL , FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSPECTION , MAKE USE OF PERSONNEL ( HEREINAFTER CALLED " INSPECTORS " ) WHO HAVE RECEIVED A SPECIAL TECHNICAL TRAINING .

INSPECTORS FROM THE INSPECTORATE OF A MEMBER STATE , EXPRESSLY APPOINTED BY THAT MEMBER STATE , MAY BE PRESENT AT INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY INSPECTORS FROM THE INSPECTORATE OF OTHER MEMBER STATES . THEY MUST CARRY A WRITTEN AUTHORITY INDICATING THE PURPOSE OF THEIR TASK .

EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL ADOPT THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO ALLOW THE INSPECTORS TO CARRY OUT THEIR TASK .

ARTICLE 2

1 . THE INSPECTION OF EXPORTS SHOULD , PREFERABLY , BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE DISPATCH , WHEN THE GOODS ARE BEING PACKED OR LOADED . IT MAY , HOWEVER , BE CARRIED OUT IN TRANSIT , BEFORE THE GOODS HAVE CROSSED THE FRONTIER OF THE EXPORTING MEMBER STATE .

2 . FOR EACH CONSIGNMENT INTENDED FOR EXPORT , THE EXPORTER MUST LODGE A REQUEST FOR INSPECTION WITH THE AUTHORITY ENTRUSTED WITH THE INSPECTION OF EXPORTS BY THE MEMBER STATE . WHEN REQUESTING INSPECTION , HE MUST PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR IDENTIFYING THE CONSIGNMENT AND FOR CARRYING OUT THE INSPECTION .

ARTICLE 3

1 . THE INSPECTION SHALL BE CARRIED OUT BY SELECTING AND EXAMINING SAMPLES . THE SAMPLES SHALL COVER A QUANTITY OF PRODUCTS SUFFICIENT FOR JUDGING THE QUALITY OF THE CONSIGNMENT AS A WHOLE .

WITH REGARD TO PACKED PRODUCTS , THE INSPECTOR HIMSELF SHALL INDICATE THE PACKAGES TO BE INSPECTED WHILE TAKING CARE TO SEE THAT THEY ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONSIGNMENT AS A WHOLE .

THE GOODS INSIDE THE PACKAGES UNDERGOING INSPECTION SHALL BE COMPLETELY UNPACKED . THE INSPECTOR MAY WAIVE THIS PROCEDURE ONLY IF THE TYPE AND METHOD OF PACKAGING ENABLE HIM TO EXAMINE THE CONTENTS WITHOUT REMOVING THE PRODUCTS . WITH REGARD TO PRODUCTS PRESENTED IN BULK , THE INSPECTOR SHALL PROCEED BY TAKING AND EXAMINING SAMPLES .

2 . IF , AFTER THE SAMPLING , THE INSPECTOR FINDS THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF PRODUCTS FALLING WITHIN THE ACCEPTED TOLERANCES FOR EACH CATEGORY IS VERY NEAR TO THE MAXIMUM TOLERANCE , HE MUST UNDERTAKE FURTHER SAMPLING . HE WILL MAKE HIS FINAL DECISION AFTER THIS FURTHER EXAMINATION .

3 . THE INSPECTOR MUST BE SATISFIED THAT THE PACKAGING OF THE GOODS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL OR PARTICULAR REGULATIONS LAID DOWN IN THE QUALITY STANDARD FOR THE CLASS CONCERNED .

4 . THE INSPECTOR MUST ENSURE THAT ALL THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD IS SHOWN ON THE PACKAGES OR , IN THE CASE OF PRODUCTS PRESENTED IN BULK , ON A DOCUMENT ACCOMPANYING THE GOODS , AND THAT THEY CONFORM TO THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION .

ARTICLE 4

1 . ONCE INSPECTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE SET OUT IN ARTICLE 3 AND THE CLASSIFICATION IN QUALITY CATEGORIES , PACKAGING AND MARKING OF THE CONSIGNMENT ARE JUDGED TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARDS , THE INSPECTOR , AFTER ALL POSSIBLE STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT NO SUBSTITUTION OF THE GOODS INSPECTED CAN TAKE PLACE , SHALL ISSUE AN INSPECTION CERTIFICATE COMPLETED AND DRAWN UP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXAMPLE SHOWN IN ANNEX II TO THIS REGULATION .

2 . THIS DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THE INSPECTOR SHALL CERTIFY THAT THE CONSIGNMENT HAS BEEN INSPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3 AND THAT , AT THE TIME OF THAT INSPECTION , THE GOODS EXAMINED CORRESPOND TO THE COMMON QUALITY STANDARDS . THE INSPECTOR OF THE EXPORTING MEMBER STATE MAY FIX AN EXPIRY DATE FOR THE VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE .

3 . CONSIGNMENTS MAY BE EXPORTED ONLY IF ACCOMPANIED BY AN INSPECTION CERTIFICATE .

ARTICLE 5

THIS REGULATION SHALL ENTER INTO FORCE ON THE 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 .

DONE AT BRUSSELS , 17 MARCH 1970 .

FOR THE COMMISSION

THE PRESIDENT

JEAN REY

ANNEX I

LIST OF THE AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTION IN EACH MEMBER STATE REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 10 OF REGULATION N 159/66/EEC

BELGIUM

_ SERVICE D'INSPECTION DES MATIERES PREMIERES

MINISTERE DE L'AGRICULTURE

4 RUE BELLIARD _ 1040 BRUXELLES

_ OFFICE NATIONAL DES DEBOUCHES AGRICOLES ET HORTICOLES

7 RUE GAUCHERET _ 1030 BRUXELLES

_ DIENST VOOR DE INSPECTIE DER GRONDSTOFFEN

MINISTERIE VAN LANDBOUW

BELLIARDSTRAAT 4 _ 1040 BRUSSEL

_ NATIONALE DIENST VOOR AFZET VAN LAND - EN TUINBOUWPRODUKTEN

GAUCHERETSTRAAT 7 _ 1030 BRUSSEL

GERMANY

_ BUNDESAMT FUER ERNAEHRUNG UND FORSTWIRTSCHAFT

6 FRANKFURT AM MAIN _ ADICKESALLEE 40

_ MINISTERIUM FUER ERNAEHRUNG , LANDWIRTSCHAFT UND FORSTEN DES LANDES SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

23 KIEL _ DUESTERNBROOKER WEG 104-108

_ FREIE UND HANSESTADT HAMBURG _ BEHOERDE FUER ERNAEHRUNG UND LANDWIRTSCHAFT

2 HAMBURG 36 _ POSTSTRASSE 11

_ FREIE HANSESTADT BREMEN , SENATOR FUER WIRTSCHAFT _ ABTEILUNG ERNAEHRUNG UND LANDWIRTSCHAFT

28 BREMEN _ SCHWACHHAUSER HEERSTRASSE 67

_ NIEDERSAECHSISCHES MINISTERIUM FUER ERNAEHRUNG , LANDWIRTSCHAFT UND FORSTEN

3 HANNOVER _ CALENBERGERSTRASSE 2

_ SENATOR FUER WIRTSCHAFT

1 BERLIN ( 62 ) SCHOENEBERG _ MARTIN-LUTHER-STRASSE 105

_ MINISTERIUM FUER ERNAEHRUNG , LANDWIRTSCHAFT UND FORSTEN DES LANDES NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN

4 DUESSELDORF _ ROSSSTRASSE 135

_ HESSISCHES MINISTERIUM FUER LANDWIRTSCHAFT UND FORSTEN

63 WIESBADEN _ SCHLOSSPLATZ 2

_ MINISTERIUM FUER LANDWIRTSCHAFT , WEINBAU UND FORSTEN DES LANDES RHEINLAND-PFALZ

65 MAINZ _ FISCHTORPLATZ 23

_ MINISTERIUM FUER WIRTSCHAFT , VERKEHR UND LANDWIRTSCHAFT

66 SAARBRUECKEN _ HARDENBERGSTRASSE HOCHHAUS

_ MINISTERIUM FUER ERNAEHRUNG , LANDWIRTSCHAFT UND WEINBAU UND FORSTEN DES LANDES BADEN-WUERTTEMBERG

7 STUTTGART _ W _ MARIENSTRASSE 41

_ BAYERISCHES STAATSMINISTERIUM FUER ERNAEHRUNG , LANDWIRTSCHAFT UND FORSTEN

8 MUENCHEN 22 _ LUDWIGSTRASSE 2

FRANCE

_ MINISTERE DE L'AGRICULTURE

SERVICE DE LA REPRESSION DES FRAUDES ET DU CONTROLE DE LA QUALITE

42BIS RUE DE BOURGOGNE _ PARIS 7E

ITALY

_ ISTITUTO NAZIONALE PER IL COMMERCIO ESTERO

VIA LISZT 21 _ ROMA

LUXEMBOURG

_ ADMINISTRATION DES SERVICES AGRICOLES

SERVICE DE L'HORTICULTURE

16 ROUTE D'EICH _ LUXEMBOURG

NETHERLANDS

_ UITVOER-CONTROLEBUREAU VOOR TUINBOUWPRODUKTEN

GROOTHERTOGINNELAAN 6 _ 'S-GRAVENHAGE

Regulation (EEC) No 496/70 of the Commission of 17 March 1970 laying down initial provisions on quality control of fruit and vegetables exported to third countries

Modified by

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3481/80 of 30 December 1980 amending certain Regulations concerning the fruit and vegetables sector as a result of Greek accession