UN/ECE STANDARD H-5

concerning the marketing and commercial

quality control of

MULTI-FLORAL CARNATIONS

moving in international trade between and to

UN/ECE member countries

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE AND SCOPE

This standard applies to fresh multi-floral carnations of varieties (cultivars) of Dianthus caryophyllus and its hybrids suitable for bouquets or for ornamental purposes.

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for fresh multi-floral carnations at the dispatching stage, after preparation and packaging 1.

A.	Minimum requirements

The produce must have been carefully harvested and have reached an appropriate stage of growth according to the species.

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the multi-floral carnations must be:

-	whole 2

-	fresh

-	free of animal parasites.

Side shoots (axillary growth) are allowed to a maximum length of one third the stem length. 3

The development and condition of the multi-floral carnations 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 cut multi-floral carnations are classified into three classes as defined below:

(i)	Extra Class

The cut multi-floral carnations 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 flower 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 in growth and formation.

The stems must be well formed and developed, straight, rigid and strong to support the flowers; provided with leaves normally developed, green, and which can be missing on one third of the length of the lower part of the stem. The lateral flowers must be very attractively distributed around the central stem. In addition there must be a minimum number of five flower buds per stem.

(ii)	Class I

The multi-floral carnations 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 flower must be:

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

-	practically free of visible extraneous matter affecting the appearance;

-	unbruised

-	practically free of defects of development.

The stems must be well formed and developed, sufficiently straight, rigid and strong to support the flowers; provided with leaves normally developed, green, and which can be missing on one third of the length of the lower part of the stem. The lateral flowers must be attractively distributed around the central stem. In addition there must be a minimum number of four flower buds per stem.

(iii)	Class II

This class comprises cut multi-floral carnations which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above. The flowers may have the following defects:

-	slight damage caused by parasites of animal or vegetable origin

-	slight visible extraneous matter

-	slight bruising

-	slight malformation.

Stems may be less rigid and less strong and provided with leaves which can be missing on one third of the length of the lower part of the stem. The defects permitted must not impair the keeping quality, appearance or utility of the produce. In addition there must be a minimum of three flower buds per stem.

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

For cut multi-floral carnations, sizing must comply at least with the following size scale:

Code	Length

30	30 - 40 cm

40	40 - 50 cm

50	50 - 60 cm

60	over 60 cm

The minimum stem length for all classes shall be 30 cm. 4

The difference per unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) between the maximum and minimum length of the flowers in the unit may not exceed 5 cm for all classes.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES *

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

A.	Quality tolerances

Quality tolerances shall be permitted in each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like).

(i)	Extra Class

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

(ii)	Class I

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

(iii)	Class II

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

The defect permitted must not impair the utility of the produce.

B.	Size tolerances

Size tolerances shall be allowed in each unit of presentation.

In all classes, 10 per cent of the cut multi-floral carnations may vary from the length requirements of the sizing code provided that the length does not fall below the lower limit of the given size code.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

Each unit of presentation (bunch, box, bouquet and the like) must contain only cut multi-floral carnations of the same species or variety (cultivar), and of the same quality and must have reached a uniform stage of development.

Mixtures of multi-floral carnations, 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 unit.

B.	Packaging

The multi-floral carnations must be packed in such a way as to be properly protected.

The materials and particularly the paper used in direct contact with the cut multi-floral carnations must be new, clean and of a quality such as to avoid any external or internal damage to the produce. 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 consist of 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, or a multiple of 10 pieces.

However, this rule does not apply to flowers for which the buyer and seller have expressly agreed to derogate from the provision 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 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), together with the words "Spray" or "Multi-floral"

-	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

-	where applicable size (length code) or minimum and maximum length

-	number of cut multi-floral carnations, or number of bunches and number of cut multi-floral carnations per bunch.

E.	Official control mark (optional)

This standard was first

issued in 1982