UN/ECE STANDARD H-2

concerning the marketing and commercial

quality control of

CUT FOLIAGE

moving in international trade between and to

UN/ECE member countries

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE AND SCOPE

This standard shall apply to foliage, leaves, branches with or without decorative fruit and other parts of plants, fresh, whether in a natural condition or dyed, intended for ornamental purposes. In addition complete provisions for particular species and special provisions relating to certain species may be annexed to this standard. 1

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

The purpose of this standard is to define the quality requirements of the produce under consideration at the dispatching stage, after preparation and packaging. 2

A.	Minimum Requirements

The produce must have been carefully harvested and to have reached an appropriate stage of growth. Subject to the general provisions in the annex and the tolerances allowed, the produce must be:

-	fresh in appearance

-	free of visible extraneous matter affecting the appearance

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

-	free from defects such as bruising or withering which spoil the general appearance of the produce

-	free from excessive external moisture

-	have the typical colour of the species or variety, except in the case of dyed produce. In the case of such produce, the dye must be stable and of a pure colour

-	the branches must be sufficiently rigid, depending on the species or variety.

The development and condition of the produce must be such as to enable it to withstand transport and handling, ensuring that it arrives in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

B.	Classification

No particular condition is made in respect of classification, subject to the special provisions laid down in the annex.

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

No particular provision is made in respect of sizing subject to the special provisions laid down in the annex.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

The following tolerances in respect of quality, and of size where appropriate, are allowed for produce in each unit of presentation as follows:

A.	Quality tolerances

Ten per cent of the produce by number or weight, according to the type of presentation, not satisfying the quality requirements. Nevertheless, the defects in question must not affect the use of the produce.

B.	Size tolerances

Where appropriate, 10 per cent of the number of stems or of the weight in the light of the special provisions set out in the annex.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

Each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must contain produce of the same origin, genus species or variety (cultivar) and be of fairly uniform quality, and must have reached a uniform stage of development.

Mixtures of cut foliage and, where applicable, with flowers of different origin genus, species or variety (cultivar), are, however, permitted so long as products of similar quality are used and that they are appropriately marked.

The visible part of the unit of presentation must be representative of the entire contents of the unit.

B.	Packaging

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

The materials, and particularly the paper 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. Newsprint, where used, must not come in direct contact with the produce.

C.	Presentation

When the produce is presented in bunches; these must be either:

-	by weight (net) 250 g or a multiple of 250 g

-	by piece, 5, 10, 15 or multiples of 10

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. 3

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) and, where applicable, variety (cultivar);

-	where applicable, the words "mixture" (or an equivalent term).

C.	Origin of produce

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

D.	Commercial specifications

-	number of bunches and content by number or weight per bunch, or number of stems or net weight.

E.	Official control mark (optional)

This standard was first issued in 1980

amended 1982 and 1985.

ANNEX

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

concerning the standardization marketing and

commercial quality control of

CUT FOLIAGE OF ASPARAGUS DENSIFLORUS (SPRENGERI)

AND ASPARAGUS PLUMOSUS

moving in trade between and to European countries

A. ASPARAGUS SPRENGERI

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE AND SCOPE

These provisions shall apply to foliage of Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop "Sprengeri" (Syn. Asparagus L. sprengeri Rgl).

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

Classification

The produce is classified into two classes defined below:

(i)	Class I

The foliage must be:

-	well developed, the tips present and without secondary growth

-	well furnished with firmly attached cladodes

-	free from yellowing

-	without fruits.

(ii)	Class II

This class comprises produce not qualifying for inclusion in Class I but meeting the quality requirements for fresh foliage:

-	and in addition must be free from yellowing.

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

For foliage of Asparagus sprengeri, the sizing of the stems must comply at least with the following scale:

Code	Length

10	10 to 30 cm

30	30 to 60 cm

60	more than 60 cm

Length shall be measured from the base of the stem to the tip.

Stems of Asparagus sprengeri forming a bunch must be of approximately uniform length.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

The following tolerances in respect of quality and size are allowed for produce in each unit of presentation not satisfying the requirements of the class.

A.	Quality tolerances

(i)	Class I

Ten per cent of the stems by weight per bunch may vary from the requirements of this class, but they must comply with those of Class II. No tolerance shall be permitted for stems without tips or with secondary growth.

(ii)	Class II

Ten per cent of the stems by weight per bunch may vary from the requirements of this class. Any defects must not impair the use of the produce.

B.	Size tolerances

Ten per cent of the stems by number may vary from the specified limits, provided that the shortest stems shall not in any event be more than five cm shorter than the minimum length indicated or by the code marking.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

Stems with the tips removed must be bunched separately. The stems in each bunch must be of uniform colour and form.

The visible part of the unit of presentation must be representative of the entire contents of the unit.

B.	Packaging

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

The materials, and particularly the paper used inside the package must be new, clean, and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the stems. Newsprint, where used, must not come in direct contact with the produce.

C.	Presentation

The produce must be presented in bunches of 100 g, 250 g or multiples of 250 g.

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 1.

A.	Identification

Packer	)	Name and address or

and/or	)	officially issued or

Dispatcher	)	accepted code mark.

B.	Nature of product

-	"Asparagus sprengeri" or "Asparagus densiflorus" and, where appropriate, the variety (cultivar).

C.	Origin of produce

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

D.	Commercial specifications

-	class

-	minimum and maximum length or sizing code

-	number of bunches and unit weight of each bunch

E.	Official control mark (optional)

B. ASPARAGUS PLUMOSUS

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE AND SCOPE

These provisions shall apply to foliage of Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop (Syn. Asparagus L. plumosus Back.).

Foliage of Asparagus plumosus may be presented in the form of:

-	palm fern (stems having a regular shape resembling a palm leaf)

-	clipped fern (stems from which the tip has been removed and which have the appearance of a wreath of foliage).

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

A.	Minimum requirements

The typical colouring of the species is a range of various tints of green 2. The produce must not be chlorotic and must have cladodes of uniform colouring.

B.	Classification

The produce is classified into two classes defined below:

(i)	Class I

The produce must be:

-	well developed

-	well furnished with foliage

-	with firmly attached cladodes

Palm fern must have the tip present and be without secondary growth.

Clipped fern may be included in this class.

(ii)	Class II

This class comprises produce not qualifying for inclusion in Class I but satisfy the minimum requirements for fresh foliage and the minimum requirements specified above.

However, produce with defects of appearance may be included in this class. Palm fern without tips or with secondary growth must be presented separately.

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

For palm fern, the sizing must comply at least with the following scale:

Code	Length

10	10 to 30 cm

30	30 to 50 cm

50	50 to 70 cm

70	more than 70 cm

For clipped fern, the sizing must comply at least with the following scale:

Code	Length

10	10 to 30 cm

30	30 to 50 cm

50	more than 50 cm

Length shall be measured from the base of the stem to the tip.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

The following tolerances in respect of quality and size are allowed for produce in each unit of presentation not satisfying the requirements of the class.

A.	Quality tolerances

(i)	Class I

Ten per cent of the stems by number may vary from the requirements of this class but they must comply with those of Class II. In the case of palm fern, no tolerance shall be permitted for stems without tips or with secondary growth.

(ii)	Class II

Ten per cent of the stems by number may vary from the requirements of this class. Any defect must not impair the use of the produce.

B.	Size tolerances

Ten per cent of the stems by number may vary from the specified limits, provided that the shortest stems shall not in any event be more than five cm shorter than the minimum length indicated or by the code marking.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PACKAGING AND PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

The stems in a bunch must be of uniform colouring.

Palm fern, clipped fern, and fern without tips which can be classified only in Class II, must be bundled separately.

The visible part of the unit of presentation must be representative of the entire contents of the unit.

B.	Packaging

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

The materials, and particularly the paper used inside the package must be new, clean, and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the stems. Newsprint, where used, must not come into direct contact with the produce.

C.	Presentation

The produce must be presented in bunches of 10 stems or multiple of 10 stems.

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 3.

A.	Identification

Packer	)	Name and address or

and/or	)	officially issued or

Dispatcher	)	accepted code mark.

B.	Nature of produce

-	"Asparagus plumosus" or "Asparagus setaceus".

C.	Origin of produce

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

D.	Commercial specifications

-	class

-	"Palm fern" or "clipped fern"

-	minimum and maximum length or sizing code

-	number of bunches and number of stems per bunch

-	where applicable, "blond" or "biondo"

E.	Official control mark (optional)

This standard was first issued in 1980

and amended in 1985.