contenteditable="true">
European Commission > Taxation and Customs Union > Databases > SAMANCTA

Navigation


SAMANCTA >

Other languages >  
SAM-112

Loose grain and seeds
Sampling

Goods
Definition

(list of HS codes covered by this card)		 Free-flowing granular products; grains, seeds; food products; animal feed, etc.

Oilseeds, oleaginous fruits, and any form of pelletized products.

For products in powder form see specific card for “Foodstuffs, powder”.

For products in individual packs see specific card for ”Retail packages and finished articles”.

Loose grain and seeds
Recommended minimum quantity for each final sample
  • Incremental samples should be proportionate to the product being sampled but not more than 1 kg
  • The final samples should be 500 g (1 kg for the determination of the quality of wheat)
EN/ISO standards specific to loose grain and seeds
  • ISO 542 Oilseeds – Sampling
  • ISO 948 Spices and condiments. Sampling
  • ISO 24333 Cereals and cereal products — Sampling.
  • ISO 10725 Acceptance sampling plans and procedures for the inspection of bulk materials.
  • ISO 11648-1 Statistical aspects of sampling from bulk material — Part 1. General principles.
  • ISO 11648-2 Statistical aspects of sampling from bulk material — Part 2. Sampling of particulate materials.
  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of feed.
  • Commission Regulation (EU) No 642/2010 of 20 July 2010 on rules of application (cereal sector import duties) for Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007
You should also refer to your national legislation and national guidelines regarding sampling.

Equipment needed
Suggested sampling tool depending on the method used
  • Trowel, scoop with handles (S03-01)
  • Probe with open shape (pelican).
  • Probe with open shape subdivided into sections – zone sampler (S02-01).
  • Probe with cylindrical closed shape and holes, special for bulk quantities (S01-01).
  • Probe, ‘Nobbe’ type, single tube with a conical point, 10 mm diameter and oval opening along the lateral surface.
Sample dividing equipment:
  • Device for subdivision into quadrants (quartering method).
  • Rotary cone sample divider (Boerner type).
  • Sample divider using multiple grooves. (D01-01)
Containers to be used for the sampling The containers must be made of a material suitable for food conservation.
  • Plastic bags, different sizes, with or without pre-printed label (P00).
  • Plastic bottles, various sizes (P01, P03, P04)
Safety precautions and risk assessment Please refer to your national legislation and guidelines on health and safety.

  • Where grain is being moved in bulk, it is imperative that officers wear appropriate respiratory protection as exposure to dust can cause asthma, extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA), rhinitis and conjunctivitis, all of which may become chronic.
  • Where grain is being moved in bulk, officers’ duties must be rotated, keeping exposure to the absolute minimum. Managers must keep a written record to demonstrate the amount of time officers spend at the premises.
  • Products of vegetable origin can be dusty or infested with agents that are dangerous for human health. Suitable clothing approved under your national health and safety legislation must be worn, including gloves, a face shield or respiratory protection, special eyewear or goggles, a helmet, working footwear.
  • Where possible, before unloading/sampling commences, a preliminary visual inspection of the cargo should be made to look for signs of insect or vermin infestation and/or signs of fungus or mould. If necessary, additional preventive measures should be taken to avoid the accidental inhalation of dust or spores.
  • Incorrectly stored produce may contain general levels or localised concentrations of mycotoxins.
  • Goods stored in open conditions may attract rats leaving a risk of Weil's disease.

Sampling plan
Type of consignment Sampling plan
Bags, drums One aggregate sample: by random selection from different parts of the consignment.

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009
Bulk being moved by a conveyor or other flowing grain One aggregate sample: from incremental samples across the whole diameter of the stream, with intervals determined by the moving speed. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods
Loose <15 tonnes in carriages, tanks or containers One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is in motion (see bulk being moved) or from at least five conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009
Loose >15 tonnes but <30 tonnes in carriages, tanks or containers One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is in motion (see bulk being moved) or from at least eight conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009
Loose >30 tonnes but <50 tonnes in carriages, tanks or containers One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is in motion (see bulk being moved) or from at least eleven conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009
Loose <500 tonnes in silos One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is removed (see Bulk being moved) or transferred to another silo.

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009
Loose in ship >500 tonnes in holds One aggregate sample: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is removed (see Bulk being moved) or from at least five conventional points (one in the middle plus four at the midpoints between the centre and the apexes).
Loose in ship >500 tonnes in various holds One aggregate sample for each hold: from incremental samples taken at regular intervals as the consignment is removed (see Bulk being moved) or from at least five conventional points. For more information see General Principles, Sampling Methods

For animal feed control refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009

Handling of samples
Sampling procedure
  • Where the product is transported loose in bulk, the load must be considered as a whole and the samples must be taken from all parts of the load.
  • Representative sampling: The sample should be representative of the whole consignment. Incremental samples must be taken throughout the lot or during the whole of the discharge process. The recommended minimum quantity for each incremental sample is 1 kg. The incremental samples must be mixed thoroughly to create the aggregate sample. Ensure that the product being sampled remains unaltered by the sampling process. You must avoid handling (such as ventilation or sieving) which may be carried out in order to reduce the presence of dust or other constituents (bran, etc.).
  • Taking samples: Different methods apply depending on how the grain is transported or discharged from the transport.
  • Bulk
    Note: For Loose grain and seeds the recommended minimum quantity for each incremental sample is 1 kg
    • Horizontal probes. The probes are inserted into the load with the opening facing the bottom, then rotated 180° and withdrawn slowly in order to collect a uniform sample across the whole section. In each lot, the sample must be collected at three heights (upper, middle and lower levels) and at various points to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.
    • Vertical probes. Vertical probes should be inserted with the sampling chamber(s) closed. When the probe has reached the required depth, the chambers should be opened and the probe twisted to ensure the chambers are filled. Close the chambers and withdraw the probe. In each lot, the sample must be collected at various points across the surface and at various depths to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.
    • Mechanical probes: At some locations fully automated vacuum probes may be used by the trader. Subject to checks on the correct operation of the probe these incremental samples may also be acceptable.
    • Sampling moving grain: Where the grain is being mechanically moved using conveyors or other equipment there may be diverter valves or chutes which allow samples to be drawn at regular intervals from the moving stream. If these are not present it may be necessary for health and safety reasons to stop the flow and use a shovel or scoop to draw samples from the conveyor. In some cases samples may be collected by passing a pelican collector through the moving stream of grain at regular intervals. In each case samples must be drawn during the whole time the lot is flowing past the sampling point to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.
  • Bags/drums:
    • Take incremental samples (each time the probe is put into the bag) at random from at least two bags, from at least three conventional points (one at the top, one in the middle and one at the bottom). The aggregate sample should consist of all the collected samples put together.
  • Dividing the sample: The size of an aggregated sample may exceed 100 kg. It is therefore necessary to reduce this to obtain the final samples. Please refer to the Sample division system.
    • Quartering method: The aggregate sample must be heaped up on a level and clean surface and then spread out in a layer of uniform thickness (approx 10 cm) and then divided into four parts using a divider (a frame or tool with four boards set at right angles which can be pushed down through the layer). Two opposite quarters should be removed (ensuring all dust and other small particles are also cleared away each time). This process should be repeated until the remaining quarters are of a suitable size to make up the final samples. The final samples should include any remaining dust or small particles.
    • Mechanical dividers: Where available Boerner or multiple slot (Riffle)-type dividers should be used. As with the quartering method, the aggregate sample should be reduced until the remaining quantity is suitable to make up the final samples.
  • Packing the samples: The final samples should be at least 0.5 kg (or 1 kg for the determination of the quality of wheat) and should be sealed to prevent any loss of moisture. They should be kept out of direct sunlight.
  • For more information refer to the ISO Standards and EU Regulations in force.
Sampling form
  • Fill in the sampling form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for the record.
Transport
  • The samples should be kept at room temperature in a dry and well-ventilated place. They must be protected against light and odour to prevent contamination, microbiological growth or other situations which would damage the sample.
Storage
  • The samples must be kept at room temperature in a dry and well-ventilated place. They must be protected against light and odour to prevent contamination, microbiological growth or other situations which would damage the sample.
  • Samples which are to be tested for the moisture content or where the moisture content may affect the analysis must be packed in moisture-tight containers with an air-tight closure. The container must be filled completely and sealed afterwards to prevent any change in the moisture content.

Loose grain and seeds (expand list )
HS number Decription


Revisions
Version Date Changes
1.0 12.10.2012 First version
1.1 1.11.2019 Change of title card; modifications in text and list HS numbers; minimum quantity for each final sample changed
1.1.1 2.11.2019 Modifications in text