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 fresh to the 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. Minimum requirements:

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the courgettes must be: - intact, including a stalk which may be slightly damaged,

• of fresh appearance,
• firm,
• sound ; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as 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 (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 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 conservation. (1) Courgettes having markedly developed seeds, called "marrows" in the United Kingdom and in Ireland, are not covered by this standard.

(iii) Class III (1)

This class comprises courgettes which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the requirements for Class II. However, they may show: - a development of seeds,

- slight traces of soil.

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.

Compliance with the size scale is not compulsory for Class III.

IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

Tolerances in respect of quality and size are allowed in each package for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.

A. Quality tolerances

(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 requirements 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.

(iii) Class III

15 % by number of weight of courgettes satisfying neither the requirements 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. Size tolerances

(i) Classes I and II

10 % by number or weight of courgettes conforming to the size immediately 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.

(ii) Class III

10 % by number or weight of courgettes which differ by not more than 10 % from the size and weight limits specified. (1) Additional class as provided for in Article 2 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72. The application of this quality class or some of its requirements shall be subject to a decision to be taken under Article 4 (1) of the same Regulation.

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 appreciably the same degree of development and colouring.

In the case of Class III, it is enough that the origin is uniform.

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

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 specifications 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 >PIC FILE= "T0035459">

B. Nature of produce - "courgettes" if the contents are not visible from the outside.

C. Origin of produce

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

D. Commercial specifications
- 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.

E. Official control mark (optional).