{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2017-644/annex-III/division-3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2017-644/annex-III/division-3.json",
  "legislation": "eur/2017/644",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/644 of 5 April 2017 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the control of levels of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in certain foodstuffs and repealing Regulation (EU) No 589/2014 (Text with EEA relevance)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2017-644",
  "path": "annex/III/division/3",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": "3",
  "heading": "QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS",
  "text": "Measures must be taken to avoid cross-contamination at each stage of the sampling and analysis procedure.\nThe samples must be stored and transported in glass, aluminum, polypropylene or polyethylene containers suitable for storage without any influence on the levels of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in the samples. Traces of paper dust must be removed from the sample container.\nThe sample storage and transportation has to be performed in a way that maintains the integrity of the foodstuff sample.\nInsofar as relevant, finely grind and mix thoroughly each laboratory sample using a process that has been demonstrated to achieve complete homogenisation (e.g. ground to pass a 1 mm sieve); samples have to be dried before grinding if moisture content is too high.\nControl of reagents, glassware and equipment for possible influence of TEQ- or BEQ-based results is of general importance.\nA blank analysis shall be performed by carrying out the entire analytical procedure omitting only the sample.\nFor bioanalytical methods, it is of great importance that all glassware and solvents used in analysis shall be tested to be free of compounds that interfere with the detection of target compounds in the working range. Glassware shall be rinsed with solvents or/and heated at temperatures suitable to remove traces of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like compounds and interfering compounds from its surface.\nSample quantity used for the extraction must be sufficient to fulfill the requirements with respect to a sufficiently low working range including the concentrations of maximum or action levels.\nThe specific sample preparation procedures used for the products under consideration shall follow internationally accepted guidelines.\nIn the case of fish, the skin has to be removed as the maximum level applies to muscle meat without skin. However it is necessary that all remaining muscle meat and fat tissue on the inner side of the skin are carefully and completely scraped off from the skin and added to the sample to be analysed.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2017/644/annex/III/division/3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T14:45:03.439389+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}