First Commission Directive of 6 October 1987 laying down Community methods of sampling for chemical analysis for the monitoring of preserved milk products (87/524/EEC)

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Administrative instructions

1.1. Personnel

Sampling shall be performed by an authorized qualified person as specified in the Member State's regulations.

1.2. Sealing and labelling of samples

Each sample taken for official use shall be sealed at the place of sampling and identified following the Member State's regulations.

1.3. Replicate samples

At least two equivalent samples shall be simultaneously prepared for analysis. Under reservation of Community legislation to be defined, the procedure and number of samples to be taken depending upon the appropriate national legislation for each Member State.

The samples shall be dispatched to the laboratory as soon as possible after sampling.

1.4. Report

Samples shall be accompanied by a report, which will be established in accordance with the Member State's legislation.

2. Sampling Equipment

Specifications

All sampling equipment shall be made of suitable material of adequate strength, which does not bring about a change in the sample which may affect any result of the subsequent examination and should not cause any change in the samples while sampling is being carried out. The use of stainless steel is recommended.

All surfaces shall be smooth and free from crevices and all corners shall be rounded. Sampling equipment shall comply with the requirements laid down with respect to each product to be sampled.

3. Sampling containers

Specifications

Sample containers and closures shall be of materials and construction which adequately protect the sample and which do not bring about in the sample a change which may affect any result of the subsequent analysis or examination. Materials which are appropriate include glass, some metals and some plastics. The containers shall preferably be opaque. If transparent or translucent the container with contents shall be stored in a dark place.

Containers and closures shall be clean and dry. The shape and capacity of the container shall be appropriate to the requirements laid down for the product to be sampled.

Single service plastic containers, containers made from plastic, laminates including an aluminium foil or suitable plastic bags, with appropriate methods of closure, may be used.

Containers other than plastic bags shall be securely closed either by means of a suitable stopper or by a screw-cap of metal or plastic material having, if necessary, an air-tight plastic liner. Any stopper or liner used should be insoluble, non-absorbant and greaseproof, and will not influence the odour, flavour, properties or composition of the sample.

Stoppers shall be made of, or covered with, non-absorbant odourless materials.

4. Sampling technique

The sample container shall be closed immediately after sampling.

5. Storage of samples

The recommended storage temperatures of the samples of the various products shall not exceed 25 ^o C. Storage time and temperature must be considered together and not separately.

6. Transport of samples

Samples shall be brought to the laboratory responsible for the tests as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours of sample taking).

During transit, precautions shall be taken to prevent exposure to contaminating odours, to direct sunlight and to temperatures greater than 25 ^oC.