Skip to main content

Marketing Standards for Poultrymeat

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671–854) of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (CMO Regulation)

(Note the above Regulation links to the consolidated version, there have been many amendments to this Regulation but they do not effect labelling requirements in regard to poultrymeat)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 (OJ L 157, p46, 17/06/2008) of 16 June 2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards the marketing standards for poultrymeat

Amended by:

Corrected by

Corrigendum (OJ L8, p33, 13/01/2009) to Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 of 16 June 2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards the marketing standards for poultrymeat (OJ L 157, p46, 17/06/2008)

Consolidated version of Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 (as at 01 July 2013)

National Legislation

European Communities (Labelling and Marketing Standards for Poultrymeat) Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No 328 of 2010)

Annex VII Part V to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 sets out the framework marketing standards for poultrymeat.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 defines the following: 

  • domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)
  • ducks
  • geese
  • turkeys
  • Guinea fowl

Such poultrymeat cannot not be marketed within the European Union by way of business or trade unless it satisfies the marketing standards for poultrymeat. These Regulations require that poultrymeat is marketed in one of the following conditions:

  • fresh,
  • frozen, or
  • quick-frozen.

The Regulations do not currently apply to:

  • Poultrymeat preparations, e.g., chicken nuggets, chicken burgers, chicken sausages
  • delayed eviscerated poultry as referred to in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, e.g., New York Dressed (NYD) Poultry (NYD poultry is not eviscerated immediately after slaughter and is sold in carcass form to the retailer or consumer)
  • the direct supply of small quantities of poultrymeat in accordance with Article 1(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 by a producer with an annual production of under 10,000 birds
  • poultrymeat for export from the European Community.

The legislation specifies that poultrymeat and poultrymeat preparations may only be marketed in one of the following conditions fresh, frozen or quick frozen. Fresh poultrymeat is defined in the legislation as poultrymeat which has not been stiffened at any time by the cooling process prior to being kept at a temperature not below – 2 °C and not higher than +4 °C. Therefore, poultrymeat or poultrymeat preparations which have been frozen may only be offered to the consumer in that state, i.e., they cannot be defrosted.

Poultrymeat marketed in the EU must be graded for quality and weight and marketed, packed, labelled, transported and presented for sale in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations. In addition to complying with the labelling requirements of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC) prepackaged poultrymeat intended for the final consumer must comply with additional requirements set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 requirements include:

Prepackaged poultrymeat

In the case of prepackaged poultrymeat the following particulars must also appear on the prepackaging or on an attached label:

  • the class (i.e., Class A or B)
  • in the case of fresh poultrymeat, the total price and the price per weight unit at the retail stage;
  • in the case of fresh poultrymeat, the date of minimum durability must be indicated by the ‘use by’ date in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC). This indication must be followed by a description of the storage conditions which must be observed.
  • the condition in which the poultrymeat is marketed in accordance with Annex VII Part V to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 sets, i.e., fresh, frozen or quick frozen and the recommended storage temperature;
  • the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, except in the case of cutting and boning at the place of sale as provided for in Article 4(2)(d) of that Regulation;
  • Country of origin/place of provenance must be provided in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1337/2013. Further information on this here.

By way of derogation from Article 3(5) and paragraphs 2 to 5 of Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008, it is not necessary to classify poultrymeat or to indicate the additional particulars referred to in those Articles in the case of deliveries to cutting or processing establishments.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 allows for the use of certain terms on the labelling of poultrymeat if the relevant conditions specified in Annex V of the Regulation are fulfilled. These terms are:

  • 'Fed with ___ % of___'
  • 'Extensive indoor' ('Barn reared')
  • 'Free range'
  • 'Traditional free range'
  • Free range - total freedom'.

These terms may be supplemented by indications referring to the particular characteristics of the respective types of farming.

Poultrymeat sold loose/without packaging/or packed on the premises

S.I. 328 of 2010 requires that poultrymeat sold loose/ without prepackaging must bear the following indications:

  • the class (i.e., Class A or B)
  • the price per weight unit at the retail stage;
  • the condition in which the poultrymeat is marketed in accordance with Annex VII Part V to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, i.e., fresh, frozen or quick frozen and the recommended storage temperature;
  • the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant, and
  • in the case of poultrymeat imported from third countries (i.e., from outside the EU), an indication of the country of origin.
  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 requires that in the case of fresh poultrymeat, the date of minimum durability shall be replaced by the ‘use by’ date. This indication must be followed by a description of the storage conditions which must be observed.