Commission Regulation (EU) No 589/2014 (repealed)Show full title

III. SAMPLING PLAN

The sampling method applied shall ensure that the aggregate sample is representative for the (sub)lot that is to be controlled.

1. Division of lots into sublots

Large lots shall be divided into sublots on condition that the sublot can be separated physically. For products traded in large bulk consignments (e.g. vegetable oils) Table 1 shall apply. For other products Table 2 shall apply. Taking into account that the weight of the lot is not always an exact multiple of the weight of the sublots, the weight of the sublot may exceed the mentioned weight by a maximum of 20 %.

Table 1

Subdivision of lots into sublots for products traded in bulk consignments

Lot weight (ton)	Weight or number of sublots
≥ 1 500	500 tonnes
> 300 and < 1 500	3 sublots
≥ 50 and ≤ 300	100 tonnes
< 50	—

Table 2

Subdivision of lots into sublots for other products

Lot weight (ton)	Weight or number of sublots
≥ 15	15-30 tonnes
<15	—

2. Number of incremental samples

The aggregate sample uniting all incremental samples shall be at least 1 kg (see point II.5 of this Annex).

The minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot or sublot shall be as given in Tables 3 and 4.

In the case of bulk liquid products the lot or sublot shall be thoroughly mixed insofar as possible and insofar it does not affect the quality of the product, by either manual or mechanical means immediately prior to sampling. In this case, a homogeneous distribution of contaminants is assumed within a given lot or sublot. It is therefore sufficient to take three incremental samples from a lot or sublot to form the aggregate sample.

The incremental samples shall be of similar weight. The weight of an incremental sample shall be at least 100 grams.

Departure from this procedure must be recorded in the record provided for under point II.8 of this Annex. In accordance with the provisions of Decision 97/747/EC fixing the levels and frequencies of sampling provided for by Directive 96/23/EC for the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof in certain animal products, the aggregate sample size for hen eggs is at least 12 eggs (for bulk lots as well for lots consisting of individual packages, tables 3 and 4 shall apply).

Table 3

Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot or sublot

Weight or volume of lot/sublot (in kg or litre)	Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken
< 50	3
50 to 500	5
> 500	10

If the lot or sublot consists of individual packages or units, then the number of packages or units which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample is given in Table 4.

Table 4

Number of packages or units (incremental samples) which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample if the lot or sublot consists of individual packages or units

Number of packages or units in the lot/sublot	Number of packages or units to be taken
1 to 25	at least 1 package or unit
26 to 100	about 5 %, at least 2 packages or units
> 100	about 5 %, at maximum 10 packages or units

3. Specific provisions for the sampling of lots containing whole fishes of comparable size and weight

Fishes are considered as being of comparable size and weight in case the difference in size and weight does not exceed about 50 %.

The number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot are defined in Table 3. The aggregate sample uniting all incremental samples shall be at least 1 kg (see point II.5).

• In case the lot to be sampled contains small fishes (individual fishes weighing < about 1 kg), the whole fish is taken as incremental sample to form the aggregate sample. In case the resulting aggregate sample weighs more than 3 kg, the incremental samples may consist of the middle part, weighing each at least 100 grams, of the fishes forming the aggregate sample. The whole part to which the maximum level is applicable is used for homogenisation of the sample.

  The middle part of the fish is where the centre of gravity is. This is located in most cases at the dorsal fin (in case the fish has a dorsal fin) or halfway between the gill opening and the anus.

• In case the lot to be sampled contains larger fishes (individual fishes weighing more than about 1 kg), the incremental sample consists of the middle part of the fish. Each incremental sample weighs at least 100 grams.

  For fishes of intermediate size (about 1-6 kg) the incremental sample is taken as a slice of the fish from backbone to belly in the middle part of the fish.

  For very large fishes (e.g. > about 6 kg), the incremental part is taken from the right side (frontal view) dorso-lateral muscle meat in the middle part of the fish In case the taking of such a piece of the middle part of the fish would result in a significant economic damage, taking of three incremental samples of at least 350 grams each may be considered as being sufficient, independently of the size of the lot or alternatively an equal part of the muscled meat close to the tail part and the muscle meat close to the head part of one fish may be taken to form the incremental sample being representative for the level of dioxins in the whole fish.

4. Sampling of lots of fish containing whole fishes of different size and/or weight

• The provisions of point III.3 as regards sample constitution shall apply.

• In case a size or weight class/category is predominant (about 80 % or more of the lot), the sample is taken from fishes with the predominant size or weight. This sample is to be considered as being representative for the whole lot.

• In case no particular size or weight class/category predominates, then it must be ensured that the fishes selected for the sample are representative for the lot. Specific guidance for such cases is provided in ‘Guidance on sampling of whole fishes of different size and/or weight’(1).

5. Sampling at retail stage

Sampling of foodstuffs at retail stage shall be done where possible in accordance with the sampling provisions set out in point III.2 of this Annex.

Where this is not possible, an alternative method of sampling at retail stage may be used provided that it ensures sufficient representativeness for the sampled lot or sublot.

(1)

http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/contaminants/dioxins_en.htm