Division B.2.2 Number, weight and volume of incremental samples
United Kingdom
The aggregate sample shall be at least 1 kg or 1 litre except where this is not possible e.g. when the sample consists of one package or unit.
The minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot or sublot shall be as given in Table 3.
In the case of bulk liquid products the lot or sublot shall be thoroughly mixed insofar as possible and insofar it does not affect the quality of the product, by either manual or mechanical means immediately prior to sampling. In this case, a homogeneous distribution of contaminants is assumed within a given lot or sublot. It is therefore sufficient to take three incremental samples from a lot or sublot to form the aggregate sample.
The incremental samples shall be of similar weight or volume. The weight or volume of an incremental sample shall be at least 100 grams or 100 millilitres, resulting in an aggregate sample of at least about 1 kg or 1 litre. Departure from this method shall be recorded in the record provided for under point B.1.8 of this Annex.
Table 1
Subdivision of lots into sublots for products traded in bulk consignments
| Lot weight (tonne) | Weight or number of sublots |
|---|---|
| ≥ 1 500 | 500 tonnes |
| > 300 and < 1 500 | 3 sublots |
| ≥ 100 and ≤ 300 | 100 tonnes |
| < 100 | — |
Table 2
Subdivision of lots into sublots for other products
| Lot weight (tonne) | Weight or number of sublots |
|---|---|
| ≥ 15 | 15-30 tonnes |
| < 15 | — |
Table 3
Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot or sublot
| Weight or volume of lot/sublot (in kg or litre) | Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken |
|---|---|
| < 50 | 3 |
| ≥ 50 and ≤ 500 | 5 |
| > 500 | 10 |
If the lot or sublot consists of individual packages or units the number of packages or units which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample is given in Table 4.
Table 4
Number of packages or units (incremental samples) which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample if the lot or sublot consists of individual packages or units
| Number of packages or units in the lot/sublot | Number of packages or units to be taken |
|---|---|
| ≤ 25 | at least 1 package or unit |
| 26 — 100 | about 5 %, at least 2 packages or units |
| > 100 | about 5 %, at maximum 10 packages or units |
Where sampling using the method set out in this chapter B.2 would lead to unacceptable commercial consequences (e.g. because of packaging forms, damage to the lot, etc.) or would be practically impossible, an alternative method of sampling may be applied provided that it is sufficiently representative for the sampled lot or sublot and is fully documented in the report provided for under point B.1.8.