Commission Directive 72/169/EEC on determining the characteristics and minimum conditions for inspecting vine varieties.

In accordance with Directive 68/193/EEC Member States are obliged to compile a catalogue of vine varieties accepted for certification and inspection of standard propagation material in their territory. The acceptance of vine varieties is subject to Community conditions which must be enforced through official inspections and particularly trough crop inspections. On such basis, the present Directive lays down the characteristics as well as the minimum conditions to be taken into particular account at the time of inspection. In fact, Member States shall provide that official inspections cover at least the characteristics referred to in Annex I. The latter is divided into two Parts: Part A lays down morphological characteristics to be considered in the examination for distinctiveness, stability and homogeneity; Part II specifies the physiological characteristics to be considered in the examination for distinctiveness, stability and homogeneity. Annex II of the Directive deals with minimum conditions for performing inspections.