UN/ECE STANDARD H-3

concerning the marketing and commercial

quality control of

FRESH CUT UNIFLORAL ROSES

moving in international trade between and to

UN/ECE member countries

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE

This standard shall apply to fresh unifloral stems of varieties (cultivars) of the genus Rosa of a kind suitable for bouquets or for decorative purposes.

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

The purpose of this standard is to define the quality requirements of fresh cut roses at the dispatching stage, after preparation and packaging 1.

A.	Minimum requirements

The roses must have been carefully harvested and have reached a stage of growth which will allow them to open properly. In all classes, subject to the tolerances allowed, the cut flowers must be:

-	whole (although signs of disbudding and removal of leaves and thorns from the lower third of the stem are permitted provided they do not affect the commercial appearance or the presentation)

-	fresh

-	normally formed

-	free of animal parasites

-	free of frost damage

-	free of obviously "chlorotic" leaves.

The stem must be free of wood remaining from a previous year's growth.

The development and condition of the cut flowers must be such as to enable them to withstand transport and handling and to ensure that they arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

B.	Classification

Cut roses are classified into three classes, as defined below:

(i)	Extra class

Cut roses 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 cut flowers must be:

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

-	free of visible extraneous matter affecting the appearance

-	free of bruising

-	free of defects of development.

Stems must be straight, rigid, strong and single, with healthy leaves.

(ii)	Class I

Cut roses 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 cut flowers must be:

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

-	practically free of visible extraneous matters affecting the appearance

-	practically free of defects of development

-	practically free of bruising.

Stems must be rigid, practically straight, sufficiently strong and single, with healthy leaves.

(iii)	Class II

This class comprises cut roses which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirement specified above. The cut flowers and parts of flowers may have the following defects:

-	slight damage caused, for example, by disease, parasites, treatment products, etc.

-	slight visible traces of extraneous matter

-	slight bruising or deterioration, such as may be caused by frost

-	slight malformation that does not prevent them from opening.

The stems may be less rigid, less strong, less straight, but not twisted.

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

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

For cut flowers, sizing must comply at least with the following scale:

Code	Length

5	5-10 cm

10	10-15 cm

15	15-20 cm

20	20-30 cm

30	30-40 cm

40	40-50 cm

50	50-60 cm

60	60-80 cm

80	80-100 cm

100	100-120 cm

120	More than 120 cm

These lengths include the flower head.

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

-	2.5 cm for flowers in codes 15 and below

-	5.0 cm for flowers in codes 20 and 50 inclusive

-	10.0 cm for flowers in codes 60 and above.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

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

A.	Quality tolerance

Quality tolerance shall be permitted in each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) as follows:

(i)	Extra class

Three per cent of the cut flowers, by number, may have slight defects, on condition that the uniformity of the flowers in a unit of presentation is not affected.

(ii)	Class I

Five per cent of the cut flowers, by number, may have slight defects, on condition that the uniformity of the flowers in a unit of presentation is not affected.

(iii)	Class II

Ten per cent of the cut flowers, by number, may vary from the requirements of the class. Half of this percentage may have been attacked by parasites of animal or vegetable origin.

The defects in question must not impair the utility of the products.

B.	Size tolerances

Size tolerances shall be permitted in each unit of presentation as follows.

In all classes, 10 per cent of the cut flowers may vary from the length requirements of the sizing code.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

Each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must contain flowers of the same genus, species or variety (cultivar) and of the same quality class, and must have reached a uniform stage of development, with the exception of Class II.

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

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

B.	Packaging

Packaging must protect the produce adequately. Paper or other materials in direct contact with the cut flowers must be new. Printed newspaper may, however, be used provided that it is not in direct contact with the flower.

C.	Presentation

Flowers which are budding or beginning to open must have reached a uniform stage of development in any one variety in any one unit of presentation.

A unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must consist of 5, 10 or a multiple of 10 pieces. However this rule does not apply to flowers for which seller and buyer agree expressly to depart from the provisions concerning the number of flowers in a unit of presentation.

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 2.

A.	Identification

Packer	)	Name and address or

and/or	)	officially issued or

Dispatcher	)	accepted code mark.

B.	Nature of produce

-	Genus

-	Variety (cultivar)

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

C.	Origin of produce

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

D.	Commercial specifications

-	class

-	size (length code) or minimum and maximum lengths

-	number of stems, or number of bunches with the number of stems per bunch

If the number of flowers per unit of presentation does not correspond to the provisions of Section V C. (Presentation), packages must be marked to show the precise composition of the units of presentation contained therein.

E.	Official control mark (optional)

Roses of class II may be presented in bulk without packaging. In this case, the above particulars must accompany the produce in the form of a consignment note easily accessible to the controlling authority.

When the roses are presented in bouquets, the following particulars must appear on each bouquet:

-	Identity of packer/dispatcher

-	Class.

This standard was first issued in 1980;

amended 1982 and 1985.