1.The characteristics of the oils laid down in Annex I shall be determined in accordance with the methods of analysis set out below:
for the determination of the free fatty acids, expressed as the percentage of oleic acid, the method set out in Annex II,
for the determination of the peroxide index, the method set out in Annex III,
[F1for determination of the wax content, the method given in Annex IV,]
for the determination of the sterol content, the method set out in Annex V,
for the determination of erythrodiol and uvaol, the method set out in Annex VI,
[F2for the determination of the percentage of 2-glyceryl monopalmitate, the method set out in Annex VII,]
[F3. . . . .]
for spectrophotometric analysis, the method set out in Annex IX,
for the determination of the fatty acid composition, the method set out in Annex X A and X B,
for the determination of the volatile halogenated solvents, the method set out in Annex XI,
for the evaluation of the organoleptic characteristics of virgin olive oil, the method set out in Annex XII,
[F3. . . . .]
[F4for the determination of stigmastadienes, the method set out in Annex XVII [F5,] ]
[F6for determining the content of triglycerides with ECN42, the method set out in Annex XVIII [F1,] ]
[F7for determination of the aliphatic alcohol content, the method given in Annex XIX.]
[F12. Verification by national authorities or their representatives of the organoleptic characteristics of virgin oils shall be effected by tasting panels approved by the Member States.
The organoleptic characteristics of an oil as referred to in the first subparagraph shall be deemed consonant with the category declared if a panel approved by the Member State confirms the grading.
Should the panel not confirm the category declared as regards the organoleptic characteristics, at the interested party's request the national authorities or their representatives shall have two counter-assessments carried out by other approved panels, at least one by a panel approved by the producer Member State concerned. The characteristics concerned shall be deemed consonant with the characteristics declared if at least two of the counter-assessments confirm the declared grade. If that is not the case, the interested party shall be responsible for the cost of the counter-assessments.]
[F83. When the national authorities or their representatives verify the characteristics of the oil as provided for in paragraph 1, samples shall be taken in accordance with international standards EN ISO 661 on the preparation of test samples and EN ISO 5555 on sampling. However, notwithstanding point 6.8 of standard EN ISO 5555, in the case of batches of such oils in immediate packaging not exceeding 100 litres, the sample shall be taken in accordance with Annex Ia to this Regulation.
[F1Without prejudice to standard EN ISO 5555 and Chapter 6 of standard EN ISO 661, the samples taken shall be put in a dark place away from strong heat as quickly as possible and sent to the laboratory for analysis no later than:
the tenth working day after they are taken, during the period from October to May, and
the fifth working day after they are taken, during the period from June to September.]
4. [F9For the purposes of the verification provided for in paragraph 3, the analyses referred to in Annexes II, III, IX, X and XII and, where applicable, any counter-analyses required under national law, shall be carried out before the minimum durability date. Where sampling is done more than four months before the minimum durability date, the analyses shall be carried out no later than the fourth month after the month in which the sample was taken. No time limit shall apply to the other analyses provided for in that Regulation]
Unless the sample was taken less than one month before the minimum durability date, if the results of the analyses do not match the characteristics of the category of olive oil or olive-residue oil declared, the party concerned shall be notified no later than one month before the end of the period laid down in the first subparagraph.]
[F75. For the purpose of determining the characteristics of olive oils by the methods provided for in paragraph 1, the analysis results shall be directly compared with the limits laid down in this Regulation.]
Textual Amendments
F1 Substituted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 796/2002 of 6 May 2002 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-pomace oil and on the relevant methods of analysis and the additional notes in the Annex to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff.
F2 Substituted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 702/2007 of 21 June 2007 amending Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-residue oil and on the relevant methods of analysis.
F3 Deleted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1989/2003 of 6 November 2003 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-pomace oil and on the relevant methods of analysis.
F4 Inserted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 656/95 of 28 March 1995 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-residue oil and on the relevant methods of analysis and Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff.
F5 Substituted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2472/97 of 11 December 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-residue oil and on the relevant methods of analysis and Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff.
F6 Inserted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2472/97 of 11 December 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-residue oil and on the relevant methods of analysis and Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff.
F7 Inserted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 796/2002 of 6 May 2002 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-pomace oil and on the relevant methods of analysis and the additional notes in the Annex to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff.