Commission Directive 2003/90/EC of 6 October 2003 setting out implementing measures for the purposes of Article 7 of Council Directive 2002/53/EC as regards the characteristics to be covered as a minimum by the examination and the minimum conditions for examining certain varieties of agricultural plant species (Text with EEA relevance)
Commission Directive 2003/90/EC of 6 October 2003 setting out implementing measures for the purposes of Article 7 of Council Directive 2002/53/EC as regards the characteristics to be covered as a minimum by the examination and the minimum conditions for examining certain varieties of agricultural plant species (Text with EEA relevance)
Directive 2003/90/EC · Directive · 9 articles
Data as of 2026-07-04 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
1. Member States shall provide for the inclusion in a national catalogue, within the meaning of Article 3(1) of Directive 2002/53/EC, of varieties of agricultural plant species which fulfil the requirements set out in paragraphs 2 and 3.
2. As regards distinctness, stability and uniformity:
(a) the species listed in Annex I shall comply with the conditions laid down in the "Protocols for distinctness, uniformity and stability tests" of the Administrative Council of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) listed in that Annex;
(b) the species listed in Annex II shall comply with the test guidelines for the conduct of tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability of the International Union for the Protection of new Varieties of Plants (UPOV) listed in that Annex.
3. As regards the value for cultivation or use, the varieties shall comply with the conditions laid down in Annex III, without prejudice to Article 4(2) of the Directive.
All the varietal characteristics within the meaning of Article 1(2)(a), and any characteristics which are marked by an asterisk (*) in the test guidelines referred to in Article 1(2)(b) shall be used, providing that observation of a characteristic is not rendered impossible by the expression of any other characteristics, and providing that the expression of a characteristic is not prevented by the environmental conditions under which the test is conducted.
Member States shall ensure that in respect of the species listed in Annexes I and II, the minimum requirements for carrying out the examinations in respect of trial design and growing conditions, as laid down in the test guidelines referred to in those Annexes, are fulfilled at the time of the examinations.
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations or administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 March 2004 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of domestic law they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
1. Where, on the entry into force of this Directive, varieties have not been accepted for inclusion in the Common Catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species, and official examinations started prior to that date in accordance with the provisions of either
(a) Directive 72/180/EEC or
(b) the CPVO guidelines listed in Annex I or the UPOV guidelines listed in Annex II, according to the species,
the varieties concerned shall be deemed to fulfil the requirements of this Directive.
2. Paragraph 1 shall only apply where the trials lead to the conclusion that the varieties comply with the rules set out in either
(a) Directive 72/180/EEC or
(b) the CPVO guidelines listed in Annex I or the UPOV guidelines listed in Annex II, according to the species.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 6 October 2003.
For the Commission
David Byrne
Member of the Commission
(1) OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 108, 8.5.1972, p. 8.
(3) OJ L 37, 7.2.2002, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 227, 1.9.1994, p. 1.
(5) OJ L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 28.
LIST OF SPECIES WHICH SHALL COMPLY WITH CPVO TEST GUIDELINES
Sunflower, protocol TP-8 of 31.10.2002
Barley, protocol TP-19 of 27.3.2002
Rye, protocol TP-58 of 31.10.2002
Wheat, protocol TP-03/2 of 27.3.2002
Durum wheat, protocol TP-120 of 27.3.2002
Maize, protocol TP-02 of 15.11.2001
Potato, protocol TP-23 of 27.3.2002
The text of these protocols can be found on the CPVO website (www.cpvo.eu.int).
ANNEX II
LIST OF SPECIES WHICH SHALL COMPLY WITH UPOV TEST GUIDELINES
Fodder beet, guideline TG/150/3 of 4.11.1994
Velvet bent, guideline TG/30/6 of 12.10.1990
Red top, guideline TG/30/6 of 12.10.1990
Creeping bent, guideline TG/30/6 of 12.10.1990
Brown top, guideline TG/30/6 of 12.10.1990
Rescue grass, guideline TG/180/3 of 4.4.2001
Alaska brome-grass, guideline TG/180/3 of 4.4.2001
Cocksfoot, guideline TG/31/8 of 17.4.2002
Tall fescue, guideline TG/39/8 of 17.4.2002
Sheep's fescue, guideline TG/67/4 of 12.11.1980
Meadow fescue, guideline TG/39/8 of 17.4.2002
Red fescue, guideline TG/67/4 of 12.11.1980
Italian ryegrass, guideline TG/4/7 of 12.10.1990
Perennial ryegrass, guideline TG/4/7 of 12.10.1990
Hybrid ryegrass, guideline TG/4/7 of 12.10.1990
Timothy, guideline TG/34/6 of 7.11.1984
Smooth-stalked meadowgrass/Kentucky bluegrass, guideline TG/33/6 of 12.10.1990
White lupin, guideline TG/66/3 of 14.11.1979
Blue lupin, guideline TG/66/3 of 14.11.1979
Yellow lupin, guideline TG/66/3 of 14.11.1979
Lucerne, guideline TG/6/4 of 21.10.1988
Field pea, guideline TG/7/9 of 4.11.1994 (and correction 18.10.1996)
Red clover, guideline TG/5/7 of 4.4.2001
White clover, guideline TG/38/7 of 9.4.2003
Field bean, guideline TG/8/6 of 17.4.2002
Common vetch, guideline TG/32/6 of 21.10.1988
Swede, guideline TG/89/6 of 4.4.2001
Fodder radish, guideline TG/178/3 of 4.4.2001
Groundnut/Peanut, guideline TG/93/3 of 13.11.1985
Turnip rape, guideline TG/185/3 of 17.4.2002
Swede rape, guideline TG/36/6 of 18.10.1996 (and correction 17.4.2002)
Safflower, guideline TG/134/3 of 12.10.1990
Cotton, guideline TG/88/6 of 4.4.2001
Flax/Linseed, guideline TG/57/6 of 20.10.1995
Opium poppy, guideline TG/166/3 of 24.3.1999
White mustard, guideline TG/179/3 of 4.4.2001
Soya bean, guideline TG/80/6 of 1.4.1998
Oats, guideline TG/20/10 of 1.10.1994
Rice, guideline TG/16/4 of 13.11.1985
Sorghum, guideline TG/122/3 of 6.10.1989
Triticale, guideline TG/121/3 of 6.10.1989
The text of these guidelines can be found on the UPOV website (www.upov.int).
ANNEX III
CHARACTERISTICS AS REGARDS THE EXAMINATION OF THE VALUE FOR CULTIVATION OR USE
1. Yield.
2. Resistance to harmful organisms.
3. Behaviour with respect to factors in the physical environment.
4. Quality characteristics.
The methods used shall be specified when the results are submitted.
