UN/ECE STANDARD H-6

concerning the marketing and commercial

quality control of

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

moving in international trade between and to

UN/ECE member countries

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE AND SCOPE

This standard applies to fresh cut chrysanthemums of varieties (cultivars) of Chrysanthemum morifolium and its hybrids for bouquets or for ornamental purposes1 .

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for fresh cut2 chrysanthemums at the dispatching stage, after preparation and packaging .

A.	Minimum requirements

The chrysanthemums must have been carefully harvested and their inflorescences must have reached an appropriate stage of growth, that is to say, they must exhibit petals that are sufficiently open but firmly attached.

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the chrysanthemums must be:

-	whole 3

-	fresh

-	free of animal parasites.

In the case of single flowers, the inflorescence may be slightly malformed and/or less well-centered in relation to the stem.

The leaves must not be chlorotic.

The development and condition of the chrysanthemums 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

The flower stems are classified into three classes as defined below:

(i)	Extra Class

The chrysanthemums in this class must be of superior quality. They must have the characteristics of the species and of the variety (cultivar).

All parts of the chrysanthemums must be:

-	free from damage caused by parasites of animal or vegetable origin

-	free of visible extraneous matter affecting the appearance

-	free from bruising

-	free of defects of development.

The stems must be:

-	straight and rigid; however, in the case of single-flower stems, a slight curve is permissible at the point where the buds have been pinched off during development

-	furnished with healthy, well-formed leaves, green in colour, although the bottom third may be leaf-free.

Multi-flower stems must bear not less than five flowers which have reached a stage of development such as to show their colour.

(ii)	Class I

The chrysanthemums in this class must be of good quality. They must have the characteristics of the species and of the variety (cultivar).

All parts of the chrysanthemums must be:

-	practically free from damage caused by parasites of animal or vegetable origin

-	practically free of visible extraneous matter affecting the appearance

-	practically free from bruising

-	practically free of defects of development.

The stems must be:

-	rigid and practically straight with the exception of the cultivar "Spider" which may be less rigid; however, in the case of single-flower stems, a more pronounced curve is permissible at the point where the buds have been pinched off during development

-	furnished with healthy, well-formed leaves, green in colour, although the bottom third may be leaf-free.

Multi-flower stems must bear not less than four flowers which have reached a stage of development such as to show their colour.

(iii)	Class II

This class comprises chrysanthemums which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.

The stems may be less rigid but must be strong enough to support the flower or flowers.

All parts of the chrysanthemums may have the following defects:

-	slight damage caused, for example, by diseases or parasites

-	slight traces of extraneous matter

-	slight bruising

-	slight malformation

-	petals and leaves slightly discoloured; the latter, however, must not be chlorotic

-	a few petals bruised or torn off.

The defects permitted must not impair the keeping quality, appearance or utility of the produce.

Multi-flower stems must bear not less than three flowers which have reached a stage of development such as to show their colour.

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

The flower stems must comply with the following size scale:

Code	Length

20	20-30 cm

30	30-40 cm

40	40-50 cm

50	50-60 cm

60	60-70 cm

70	70-80 cm

80	80-90 cm

90	90-100 cm

100	over 100 cm

These lengths are measured from the base of the stem to the top of the

lower head.

The difference per unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) between the maximum and minimum length of flower stems in the unit may not exceed:

-	5 cm for flower stems in codes 20 to 40 (inclusive)

-	10 cm for flower stems in codes 50 and above.

In the case of stems presented in tiered bunches the difference may be:

-	10 cm for flower stems in codes 20 to 40 (inclusive)

-	20 cm for flower stems in code 50

-	30 cm for flower stems in codes 60 and 70

-	40 cm for flower stems in codes 80 and above.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES *

Tolerances in respect of quality and size are allowed in each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like):

A.	Quality tolerances

(i)	Extra Class

Three per cent of the flower stems not meeting the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class I.

(ii)	Class I

Five per cent of the flower stems not meeting the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class II.

(iii)	Class II

Ten per cent of the flower stems, by number, not meeting the requirements of this class nor the minimum requirements, but free from:

- decay

- pronounced bruising

- withered or malformed inflorescences.

In no case must these defects impair the utility of the produce.

B.	Size tolerances

In all classes, length tolerances shall be permitted as follows:

-	10 per cent of the flower stems may vary from the length requirements of the sizing code.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

The contents of each package must contain only chrysanthemums of the same species, variety (cultivar), and quality which have reached a uniform degree of development.

Mixtures of chrysanthemums, or mixtures of flowers with foliage of different genus, species or variety are, however, permitted so long as the produce of the same quality is used and it is appropriately marked.

The visible part of each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must be representative of the entire contents.

B.	Packaging

The chrysanthemums must be packed in such a way as to be properly protected.

The materials and particularly the paper used in direct contact with the flower stems must be clean and new. Newsprint, where used, must only be on the outside so that it does not come into direct contact with the produce.

C.	Presentation

A unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must contain 5, 10, 15, or a multiple of 10 pieces4 .

The lower end of the stems in any one unit of presentation must be at approximately the same level, except in the case of single-flower stems presented in tiered bunches.

In the case of multi-flower stems presented in bunches, no unopened bud shall appear above the group of flowers forming the immediately visible upper part of the bunch.

VI.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING

The following particulars must accompany the goods either in the form of a label on the package, or in the form of an invoice easily accessible to the control service 5 :

A.	Identification

Packer	)	Name and address or

and/or	)	officially issued or

Dispatcher	)	accepted code mark.

B.	Nature of produce

-	genus or species (binomial nomenclature)

-	variety (cultivar) or colour of flowers

-	where appropriate, the word "mixture" (or equivalent term).

C.	Origin of produce

-	country of origin and, optionally, area where produced, or national, regional or local place name.

D.	Commercial specifications

-	class

-	size, or minimum and maximum lengths (code)

-	number of flower stems, or number of bunches and number of flower stems per bunch.

E.	Official control mark (optional)

This standard was first issued in 1982

and amended in 1985