Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1932

Contents

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006^note, and in particular Article 60(10), Article 60a(1), points (a), (b), (d), (f) and (g), and Article 93a(2) thereof,Whereas:

(1)Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishes a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (‘CFP’), including rules on the weighing of fishery products and on national control programmes for inspection and control of the rules of the CFP, for which this Regulation provides detailed rules to support implementation.

(2)With a view to ensuring a coherent application of these detailed rules, the establishment of certain definitions is necessary.

(3)In order to ensure consistency and comparability of the information to be provided in the context of weighing records, it is necessary to establish minimum information submission requirements, taking into account the particular situation of certain vessels and operators, such as catching vessels not yet subject to mandatory electronic logbook requirements and masters acting as authorised weighing operators, for which a simplified recording model is justified.

(4)Article 60(1) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 requires fishery products to be weighed on weighing systems approved by the competent authorities of Member States. It is therefore appropriate to establish rules and minimum technical requirements on such systems, including in the event of technical failure or non-functioning.

(5)To ensure effective control of the rules and requirements related to weighing records and weighing systems, whether on land or on board, it is appropriate to establish detailed rules on access from the competent authorities of Member States to such records and systems.

(6)To address the effects of de-watering and de-icing on the determination of the weight of certain fishery products, in particular where such processes are necessary to avoid spoilage or for product preservation, and without prejudice to different requirements established under the rules of the CFP, including measures endorsed by the Union and other North-East Atlantic coastal States, it is appropriate to introduce detailed rules on water and ice deduction. Those rules should build on a 2 % deduction set out in Article 74 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011^note, for a limited period, while allowing Member States a degree of flexibility, both during and after that period, to apply a different percentage in duly justified cases, where necessary, proportionate and appropriate, such as in light of best available technology and practices, and in accordance with the CFP objectives, including ensuring a level-playing field within the Union. To that end, the Commission should assess the conditions for the use of any different deduction percentage on the basis of relevant information submitted by the Member States concerned and, where necessary, with the technical support of independent experts or scientific bodies recognised at Union or international level, including the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. In order to promote the harmonised application of deductions within the Union, the Commission should inform the Member States of any notification concerning such deductions and, upon request, be able to coordinate technical discussions on such proposals of deduction, including through dedicated working groups, as well as through the expert group on compliance referred to in Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council^note.

(7)Sampling plans for fishery products weighed on board, for landings of sorted and unsorted fishery products, and for landings of frozen fishery products, should be adopted under Article 60 (10) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 in order to provide the possibility for Member States in which the fishery products are landed to allow authorised weighing operators to derogate from the general obligation to weigh all fishery products per species immediately after landing, in accordance with the adopted sampling plan. This includes minimum conditions on procedures and measures to ensure compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, which Member States and operators should apply to ensure the accuracy of weighing and catch composition.

(8)Furthermore, control plans and common control programmes for fishery products transported before weighing on the territory of the Member State of landing or of another Member State should be adopted under Article 60(10) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 in order to provide the possibility for Member States in which the fishery products are landed to allow authorised weighing operators to derogate from the general obligation to weigh all fishery products per species immediately after landing, in accordance with the adopted control plans or common control programmes. This includes minimum conditions on procedures, weighing facilities, and measures to ensure compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, which Member States and operators should apply to guarantee the accuracy of weighing and catch composition.

(9)To ensure an effective and harmonised application of the rules and conditions established in the relevant sampling plans, control plans and common control programmes adopted under this Regulation, detailed procedures should be established for the submission of applications to the Commission for approval to allow fishery products to be weighed on landing, on board, or after transport in accordance with such plans and programmes. These procedures should also allow Member States to propose alternative conditions to those established in the adopted plans and programmes, limited to specific elements for which such alternatives could be justified.

(10)In view of the risks connected with the use of weighing derogations and the impact that non-compliance with weighing rules could have on the accuracy of catch data on which the sustainability of fish stocks is based, it is appropriate to establish detailed rules on national control programmes and benchmarks, in accordance with Article 93a(2), for the control and inspection of the weighing rules laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and in this Regulation.

(11)To ensure consistent sampling across all Member States, it is important to establish matrices for weighing fishery products both on board and upon landing. These matrices should be based, where possible, on those identified in the study conducted by the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), as well as on methodologies developed by Member States, in coordination with EFCA, on the basis of verified data and the best available scientific information.

(12)The rules provided for by this Regulation are substantively linked, and many are intended to be applied together. In the interests of simplicity, as well as to facilitate their application and to avoid a multiplication of rules, they should therefore be laid down in a single act rather than in a number of separate acts with many cross-references and the risk of duplication.

(13)Personal data collected and processed for control purposes under this Regulation is to comply with the data protection rules set out in Article 112 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

(14)The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council^note and delivered an opinion on 20 July 2026.

(15)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Title I · General provisions

Article 1Scope#

1.This Regulation lays down detailed rules for the weighing of fishery products, in particular as regards the following:

(a)weighing records;

(b)weighing systems;

(c)the deduction of ice and water;

(d)access by competent authorities to weighing records and weighing systems;

(e)national control programmes and benchmarks for control and inspections.

2.In addition, it also:

(a)adopts sampling plans, control plans, and common control programmes referred to in Article 60(10) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; and

(b)lays down the procedure for the Commission’s approval to allow weighing on landing, on board or after transport, in accordance with those plans and programmes, as referred to in Article 60(3)(a) to (d) of that Regulation.

Article 2Definitions#

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

(a)‘authorised weighing operator’ means an operator responsible for the weighing of fishery products, as referred to in Article 60(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;

(b)‘standardised boxes’ means two or more receptacles of uniform type, capacity, size, and, where used, packaging, containing fishery products of a single species, with the same presentation, and originating from the same relevant geographical area;

(c)‘standardised containers’ means two or more units of uniform type, capacity and size, containing unsorted fishery products, with the same presentation, and originating from the same relevant geographical area;

(d)‘standardised pallets’ means two or more pallets of uniform type and size, loaded with a predefined and uniform number of standardised boxes with identical packaging;

(e)‘packaging’ means an item used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery or presentation of standardised boxes, which can be differentiated by packaging format based on its function, material and design, including cardboard, plastic, and strapping material;

(f)‘transport unit’ means any vehicle, which may carry tanks, boxes or containers, used for the transportation of fishery products;

(g)‘weighing facility’ means a facility equipped for weighing, including the sample weighing, of fishery products;

(h)‘presentation’ means the form into which the fish is processed while on board of the fishing vessel and prior to landing, as described in Table 1 of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196^note;

(i)‘Member State of landing’ means the coastal Member State where the fishery products are landed, including where they are unloaded into a transport unit;

(j)‘Member State of weighing’ means the Member State where the fishery products are weighed.

Title II · Detailed rules on weighing

Chapter I · Weighing requirements and measures

Article 3Weighing records#

1.The weighing records referred to in Article 60(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall contain at least the following information:

(a)the name or an identification number of the authorised weighing operator;

(b)the system used for the weighing of fishery products, including any model and serial or ID number, where available;

(c)the name of the fishing vessel from which the weighed quantity originates, where available;

(d)the common fleet register (‘CFR’) number or, if not applicable, the International Maritime Organization (‘IMO’) number or other unique vessel identifier of the fishing vessel from which the weighed quantity of fishery products originates;

(e)the unique fishing trip identification number of the catching vessel from which the weighed quantity of fishery products originates and, in the case of fishing vessels other than catching vessels, the unique fishing trip identification number(s) related to the catches;

(f)the date and time of the completion of the weighing or, in the event that the weighing takes longer than 24 hours, the date and time of the start and of the completion of the weighing;

(g)the location, such as the port, landing site or facility, where the fishery products are weighed, with the highest level of detail available;

(h)the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) alpha-3 code of each species weighed;

(i)the quantities of each species in kilograms of product weighed in accordance with Article 60 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, or, where appropriate, the number of individuals, broken down by type of presentation, and relevant geographical area, including, as a separate entry, the quantities below the applicable minimum conservation reference size;

(j)the quantity deducted for water and ice in accordance with Article 6, where applicable;

(k)the tare weight of each box, container, pallet, or transport unit used to weight the fishery products, where applicable.

2.In addition to the minimum information listed in paragraph 1, for weighing operations carried out in accordance with Annexes II to VI, the weighing records referred to in Article 60(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall also contain the following information, where applicable:

(a)the sequential numbering of all the samples weighed and the approximate time when they were taken, in accordance with Annex II(B)(i) and (iii) and Annex III(B) and (C);

(b)the aggregate quantities of unsorted fishery products weighed in accordance with Annex II(B)(ii);

(c)the weight of each sample weighed in accordance with Annex II(B)(i) and (iii) and Annex III(B) and (C) and, where available, the quantity of each species, per presentation, in each sample, as well as the total net weight of the sample expressed in kilograms and grams;

(d)the average net product weight of all standardised boxes and standardised pallets used for the purposes of Annex II, Annex III and Annex IV, for each species and presentation;

(e)the average net product weight of all standardised containers used for the purposes of Annex II;

(f)the total number of boxes and containers, whether or not standardized, and standardised pallets landed, for each species, presentation and relevant geographical area used for the purposes of Annex II, Annex III and Annex IV;

(g)the registration number or other unique identifier of any approved and registered weighing facility used for the purposes of Annex V and Annex VI;

(h)the start and finish figures recorded by the conveyor belt weighing systems or the batch weighing systems used for the purposes of Annex V and Annex VI; and

(i)indication that fishery products were weighed after transport under Annex V and Annex VI.

3.Until 10 January 2028, paragraph 1, point (e) shall not apply to catching vessels that are not equipped with an electronic fishing logbook.

4.By 10 January 2030, authorised weighing operators shall ensure that weighing records drawn up for the purposes of Annexes II to VI are made available, by electronic means at specified intervals or upon request, to the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing.

Article 4Simplified weighing records#

The master of a catching vessel landing fishery products, when acting as the authorised weighing operator, may complete a simplified weighing record in which the information required under Article 3(1), points (a), (c), (d), (e) and (f), is replaced with the unique identification number of the landing declaration referred to in Annex XV(10) to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196.

Article 5Weighing systems#

1.Member States shall ensure that all systems used for the weighing of fishery products are subject to the minimum requirements set out in Annex I and are approved, calibrated, and sealed in accordance with national law.

2.Where fishery products are weighed on board a catching vessel, in accordance with Annex IV, the relevant competent authorities of the flag Member State shall ensure that those weighing systems are approved, calibrated, and sealed in accordance with their national law.

3.In the event of a technical failure or non-functioning of the weighing system affecting the accuracy of the weighing results, authorised weighing operators shall:

(a)use an alternative approved weighing system, or immediately cease weighing, until the technical failure or non-functioning has been remedied; and

(b)in case of conveyor belt weighing systems, weighbridge, or batch weighing systems notify the technical failure or non-functioning within 24 hours to the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing and, where different, the authorities responsible for fisheries control of the Member State in which the weighing facilities are located.

4.The competent authorities of the Member State of weighing may determine the location and configuration of weighing systems and equipment, including those used for sampling in accordance with the Annexes of this Regulation.

Article 6Ice and water deduction#

1.Without prejudice to specific provisions set out under the rules of the CFP, and until 10 January 2030, authorised weighing operators may apply a deduction for water and ice of up to 2 % of the total weight of fresh pelagic fishery products except for landings intended for industrial purposes.

10.From 10 January 2030, no deduction for water and ice shall apply, except where allowed by the Commission pursuant to paragraphs 2 to 7.

2.By way of derogation from paragraph 1 and subject to paragraphs 3 to 9, the Commission may allow:

(a)a deduction percentage different from that provided for in paragraph 1; and/or

(b)the application of the deduction for water and ice to non-pelagic fishery products.

3.Any derogation to the 2 % deduction rule established pursuant to paragraph 2 shall:

(a)be clearly defined as regards its scope and percentage;

(b)be accompanied by specific procedures for the de-watering and de-icing;

(c)be subject to effective control measures to prevent the risk of abuse;

(d)apply only to fishery products intended for direct human consumption; and

(e)be justified on the basis of an independent and representative statistical analysis or study, including the most recent available inspection, control, and scientific data, demonstrating the necessity, proportionality, and appropriateness of such deduction.

4.One or more Member States may submit to the Commission a proposal for a deduction referred to in paragraph 2. The proposal shall be accompanied by all information necessary to assess compliance with the conditions set out in paragraph 3.

5.The Commission shall, without delay, inform all other Member States of the proposal referred to in paragraph 4. One or more Member States may request that the Commission coordinates technical discussions on that proposal, including, where appropriate, the expert group on compliance referred to in Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

6.Within six months of receipt of a complete proposal, the Commission shall decide whether the conditions set out in paragraph 3 are fulfilled, including, where appropriate, after consulting independent scientific bodies that are recognised at Union or international level.

7.Where the Commission determines that the conditions set out in paragraph 3 are fulfilled, it shall allow the deduction and specify its scope of application, including the fisheries, stocks, species, product categories and geographical areas concerned.

8.The Commission shall inform Member States of any deduction allowed under paragraph 7 on its website and it may periodically review the necessity, proportionality, and appropriateness of such deduction. No deduction shall be allowed where any of those conditions is no longer fulfilled.

9.Where the Commission considers that one or more of the conditions set out in paragraph 3 are not fulfilled, including through inquiries, verifications, autonomous inspections or audits carried out by the Commission pursuant to Articles 96, 98, 99 and 100 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, or that the information provided under paragraph 4 is incomplete, it shall not allow the deduction and inform the Member State(s) concerned of this fact without delay.

Article 7Access by competent authorities#

1.When fishery products are weighed on landing or after transport, authorised weighing operators shall provide the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing with full access to the weighing systems and weighing records referred to in Articles 3, 4 and 5.

2.When fishery products are weighed on board, in accordance with Annex IV, authorised weighing operators shall provide the competent authorities of the flag Member State or the competent authorities of the Member State of landing, with full access to the weighing systems and weighing records referred to in Articles 3, 4 and 5.

Article 8National control programmes and benchmarks for control and inspection of weighing#

1.Member States shall ensure that their national control programmes established pursuant to Article 93a of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 include dedicated measures for the control and inspection of the rules set out in this Chapter and in Annexes I to VI to this Regulation.

2.The measures referred to in paragraph 1 shall at least provide for unannounced inspections covering no less than 5 % of all quantities landed and 3 % of all landings, in the inspecting Member State, per calendar year, taking into account any control and inspection measures for weighing set out in a specific control and inspection programme adopted in accordance with Article 95 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

3.The targets of the unannounced inspections referred to in paragraph 2 shall be identified on the basis of a risk assessment, taking into consideration at least the following factors, where applicable:

(a)the high number and volume of landings of fishery products, whether weighed on board, at landing, or after transport;

(b)the number of infringements by masters, authorised weighing operators, and transporters;

(c)the low number and type of transport controls carried out in the Member States of landing, transit and destination;

(d)the availability of quota for the fishing vessels making landings that are weighed on board, at landing or after transport;

(e)the non-use of standardized boxes or containers by the vessels from which the fishery products originate;

(f)fluctuation in market price levels for the landed fisheries products;

(g)loading or unloading at multiple pick-up locations or drop-off for fishery products weighed after transport under Article 60(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;

(h)the non-use of seals or other means to prevent the risk of cargo manipulation;

(i)the risk of non-compliance with any conditions for the use of the applicable water and ice deduction;

(j)the risk of non-compliance with the conditions for the use of derogations approved under Article 60(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; and

(k)non-submission, late submission, or misreporting of the landing declarations, weighing records, and transport documents.

Chapter II · Adoption of sampling plans, control plan, and common control programme

Article 9Adoption of sampling plans, control plan, and common control programme#

1.In accordance with Article 60(10) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, the Commission hereby adopts the following sampling plans, control plan and common control programme:

(a)the sampling plan for weighing of fishery products landed sorted or unsorted, as set out in Annex II of this Regulation;

(b)the sampling plan for weighing of frozen fishery products, as set out in Annex III of this Regulation;

(c)the sampling plan for fishery products weighed on board, as set out in Annex IV of this Regulation;

(d)the control plan for weighing of fresh fishery products after transport on the territory of a Member State where the landing took place, as set out in Annex V of this Regulation; and

(e)the common control programme for weighing of fresh fishery products after transport from the Member State of landing to a destination on the territory of another Member State, as set out in Annex VI of this Regulation.

2.Where they make an application for approval pursuant to Article 10, Member States shall use the sampling plans, control plan, and common control programme adopted in accordance with paragraph 1. Sampling plans, control plans and common control programmes submitted for approval may include transitional measures applicable until 10 January 2028, with a view to ensuring a smooth transition to the new weighing regimes.

3.The adopted sampling plans, control plan and common control programme referred to in paragraph 1 shall be applied in accordance with Articles 3 to 8.

III · Approval for the weighing on landing, on board or after transport in accordance with sampling plans, control plans, or common control programmes

Article 10Submission of applications by Member States#

1.One or more Member States (‘the applicant Member State(s)’) may submit an application to the Commission for the approval to allow fishery products to be weighed on landing, on board or after transport, in accordance with the sampling plans, control plan, or common control programme adopted under Article 9, subject to the procedure laid down in this Chapter.

2.The application referred to in paragraph 1 shall include the following information:

(a)the contact details of each Member State competent authority responsible for the application;

(b)the specific derogation(s) provided for in Article 60(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, together with the relevant sampling plan, control plan and common control programme established in accordance with the respective Annex to this Regulation;

(c)the commitment of the applicant Member State(s) to comply with the relevant sampling plan, control plan or common control programme;

(d)details on any alternative conditions proposed under Section D of Annex II, Section E of Annex III, Section D of Annex IV, Section F of Annex V, and Section F of Annex VI;

(e)where appropriate, the justified reasons why any transitional measures as referred to in Article 9(2) are necessary; and

(f)any other information that the applicant Member State considers relevant.

Article 11Assessment by the Commission#

1.The Commission shall assess applications submitted in accordance with Article 10(1) to determine whether:

(a)all relevant information submitted pursuant to Article 10(2) is complete and accurate;

(b)any alternative conditions proposed under Section D of Annex II, Section E of Annex III, Section D of Annex IV, Section F of Annex V, and Section F of Annex VI are fulfilled;

(c)transitional measures as referred to in Article 9(2) are justified.

2.If, within six months of receipt of an application, the Commission considers that the information, measures, and conditions referred to in paragraph 1 are insufficient or cannot be fulfilled, the Commission shall request the applicant Member State(s) to review and complete its application within a reasonable time and in any case no later than six months from the time of the request.

Article 12Results of the assessment#

1.Applications submitted in accordance with Article 10(1) shall be approved if the Commission considers that the requirements provided under Article 11(1) are fulfilled. The Commission shall inform the applicant Member State(s) without delay and proceed with the approval, in accordance with Article 60(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, which shall remain in force for a period of five consecutive years.

2.Applications submitted in accordance with Article 10(1) shall be rejected, after prior consultation with the applicant Member State(s), if:

(a)the requirements provided under Article 11(1) are not fulfilled;

(b)the applicant Member State(s) does not complete the application in accordance with the request referred to in Article 10; or

(c)the Commission has evidence of systematic non-compliance with rules on weighing and catch registration, including through inquiries, verifications, autonomous inspections or audits carried out by the Commission in accordance with Articles 96, 98, 99 and 100 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

3.When applications are rejected, a new application may be submitted under the terms and conditions laid down in this Chapter.

4.By way of derogation from paragraph 1, where there is evidence of systematic non-compliance with the conditions referred to in Article 11(1), including through inquiries, verifications, autonomous inspections or audits carried out by the Commission in accordance with Articles 96, 98, 99 and 100 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and following consultation with the applicant Member State(s), the Commission may suspend or revoke its approval.

Article 13Modification and renewal of approved applications#

1.The applicant Member State(s) may request the modification of approved applications provided that the modification is:

(a)duly justified by substantial changes concerning one or more of the requirements referred to in Article 11(1);

(b)consistent with a request for alternative conditions under Section D of Annex II, Section E of Annex III, Section D of Annex IV, Section F of Annex V, and Section F of Annex VI; and

(c)subject to the Commission’s assessment and approval, as laid down in Articles 11 and 12.

2.The applicant Member State(s) may request the renewal of the approved derogation to allow weighing in accordance with a sampling plan, control plan or common control programme for an additional period of five consecutive years, no later than one year before the expiry of the five-year period referred to in Article 12(3) and subject to Article 12(4), provided that the application concerned had not been modified under paragraph 1.

III · Final provisions

Article 14Protection and processing of personal data#

Member States shall ensure that personal data collected under this Regulation are only processed in accordance with Article 112 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

Article 15Entry into force and application#

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.It shall apply from 11 January 2027.

Annex I · Minimum requirements for weighing systems

A. General requirements

1.Weighing systems shall be:

(a)appropriate for the accurate weighing of fishery products, depending on the type of fisheries, quantities landed, presentation, and whether the fishery products are weighed on board;

(b)placed on a stable and level surface, except for hanging scales used for the weighing of fishery products or weighing systems used for the purposes of weighing on board under Annex IV, provided that such scales and systems are stationary at the time of weighing and that any swinging does not affect the accuracy of the weighing results; and

(c)zeroed for each box, container, and pallet in use, or, where technically possible, pre-programmed in accordance with box, container or pallet manufacturer’s tare weight.

B. Specific requirements

2.Whenever a conveyor belt weighing system is used:

(a)it shall be installed in a manner that ensures that all fishery products entering a weighing facility pass through the appropriate weighing system;

(b)as from 10 January 2030, it shall be equipped with a functionality enabling:

(i)the user to monitor the operational status and detect any technical failure or non-functioning of the system, including through error notifications or alerts; and

(ii)authorised weighing operators and officials to detect any digital manipulation of the weighing results, including through error notifications or alerts;

(c)it shall be fitted with:

(i)a system ensuring the recording of the counter at the start and the completion of each weighing operation and the cumulative total of the weight, with a total running number of minimum 8 digits;

(ii)an automatic stop function to ensure that no fishery products pass through the weighing system in the event of technical failure or non-functioning;

(iii)a zero setting function to be reset before the weighing of each landing and, thereafter, at a frequency determined by the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing;

(d)the counter shall be positioned in a location visible from the weighing unit;

(e)all use of the system, including events such as maintenance, approval, reruns and washing, shall be recorded by the authorised weighing operator; and

(f)it shall not have remote access capabilities. Any data connection, whether via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, is permitted only if it can be ensured that the weighing data collected by the system is secure and protected against any risk of manipulation.

3.Whenever a batch weighing system is used:

(a)it shall comply with all the requirements laid down in points 2(a), (b), (d), (e), and (f); and

(b)it shall be fitted with:

(i)a visible counter ensuring the recording of the counter for each landing from the start until the completion of each weighing operation and the cumulative total weight, with a total running number of minimum 8 digits;

(ii)an automatic stop function to ensure that no fishery products pass through the weighing system in the event of technical failure or non-functioning;

(iii)a zero-setting function to be reset before the weighing of each landing and, thereafter, at a frequency determined by the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing; and

(iv)a hatch detector or weighing sensors to prevent the undetected free flow of unweighted material through the batch.

4.Whenever a weighbridge weighing system is used and unless digital recording is possible, it shall be capable of issuing a weighing slip indicating the gross and net weight of each weighing operation, the date and time of the weighing, and identity number of the transport unit weighed. The authorised weighing operator shall retain a copy of the weighing slip and make it available to the competent authorities upon request.

5.Whenever non-automatic weighing systems, including scales, are used for the weighing of pallets, they shall at least be equipped with an automatic or semi-automatic log of pallet weighing.

6.Whenever drum sieve systems are used for water draining before the weighing of catches intended for industrial purposes, the following minimum requirements shall apply:

(a)during landing, the products landed shall pass through only one drum sieve for water draining before weighing;

(b)the filtering holes in the drum sieve shall not exceed 10 mm;the inside diameter of the drum sieve shall not exceed 1700 mm;

(c)the total length of the sieves before weighing, excluding conveyor belts, shall not exceed 11 metres;

(d)the rotation speed of the drum sieve shall not exceed 28 revolutions per minute;

(e)the light opening area in the filtering section shall not exceed 45 %.

7.Whenever belt draining systems are used for water draining before the weighing of catches intended for industrial purposes, the following minimum requirements shall apply:

(a)in the front sieve, the bar spacing or filtering holes shall not exceed 10 mm;

(b)the width of the conveyor steel belt shall be between 1.8 and 2.5 metres;

(c)the length of the conveyor steel belt shall be not less than 2.6 metres and not more than 10 metres.

8.As from 10 January 2030, the following weighing systems shall be equipped with a printing function for the generation of labels or weighing slips, unless digital recording is possible:

(a)weighing systems referred to in points 2 and 3, where labelling is required under this Regulation; and

(b)weighbridge weighing systems referred to in point 4.

Annex II · Sampling plan for the weighing of fishery products landed sorted or unsorted

This sampling plan lays down the minimum conditions for the weighing of fishery products from small pelagic fisheries, whether landed sorted or unsorted, fishery products intended for industrial purposes, and demersal fishery products landed in standardised boxes, in accordance with a derogation approved under Article 60(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

A. General rules

1.The derogation to weigh under Article 60(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall be subject to the conditions set out in this Annex and the rules laid down in Articles 3 to 8 of this Regulation.

2.Fishery products covered by this Annex shall be landed in a condition that permits species identification. Without prejudice to Article 90(3)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, where quantities are landed in a condition that does not permit species identification due to special circumstances, such as the malfunctioning of refrigerator systems on-board, those quantities shall, for the purposes of this Annex, be attributed to the proportion of each species determined by sampling carried out in accordance with Section B or by means of technologies achieving better or equivalent results.

B. Procedures

3.For fishery products landed unsorted, the sampling procedures laid down in sub-sections (i) and (ii) or (iii) shall apply.

4.For fisheries products landed sorted, the sampling procedures laid down in sub-section (iii) shall apply.

5.Member States shall have in place and implement measures to ensure the correct weighing and registration of samples by authorised weighing operators. As a minimum, such measures shall require that each sample is identifiable, labelled and kept separate from the rest of the fishery products for a minimum of two hours after sampling or up to the end of the weighing. Labels shall indicate the net weight of each quantity of each species for each sample.

(i) Rules to determine the catch composition of unsorted fishery products

10.To determine the catch composition of all fishery products landed, the procedure shall be as follows:

(a)record the total number of samples collected under point 8 with sequential numbering and the time of sampling;

(b)calculate and record the weight (in kg) of each quantity of each species per sample and the total weight of the sample; and

(c)calculate and record the aggregated weight (in kg) and proportion of each quantity of each species for the combined results of sampling, including by-catch and non-pelagic species.

11.The weight of all samples shall be included in the total weight of the fishery products landed.

6.Samples shall be collected individually and at regular intervals throughout the entire landing, from the start to its completion and prior to sorting, by authorised weighing operators, using the sample-size matrix(es) referred to in point 8. Each sampling operation shall include at least the following steps:

(a)sorting all fishery products in the sample into their component species;

(b)weighing individually the quantities of each species in every sample, including by-catch and non-pelagic species; and

(c)recording the weight of each species in each sample.

7.Except for fishery products landed in boxes or containers, samples shall be collected using automatic or semi-automatic sampling systems positioned on the water separator in use, or other locations identified by the competent authorities.

9.If the quantities sampled exceed the minimum individual sample volume indicated in the sampling matrix referred to in point 8, they shall be used in full and shall not be reduced.

(ii) Rules to determine the total weight of fishery products landed unsorted without sample weighing

12.The total weight of all unsorted quantities landed may be determined without sample weighing as follows:

(a)where fishery products are landed in containers, the total weight shall be determined by weighing all containers and deducting the corresponding tare weight. The permitted tare shall be the manufacturer’s stated tare weight;

(b)where fishery products are weighed on a conveyor belt or on batch weighing systems:

(i)the starting figure recorded shall be the initial cumulative total displayed;

(ii)the final figure recorded shall be the cumulative total displayed after weighing; and

(iii)the difference between the figures in points (i) and (ii) shall be the weight of the fish.

(c)where fishery products are weighed on weighbridges, the recorded weight shall be the difference between the transport unit without fish and the transport unit loaded with fish.

13.The total weight displayed on the weighing system, together with the weight of any samples collected in accordance with point 8 above, will be the total aggregate weight of all fishery products that were landed. The total weight per species of all fishery products landed shall be obtained by extrapolating the proportion of each species, as determined in accordance with point 8 to the total weight of all unsorted quantities landed, as determined in accordance with point 12.

(iii) Rules to determine the total weight of sorted and unsorted fishery products through sample weighing of standardised boxes and standardised containers

14.Samples of standardised boxes or standardised containers shall be collected individually and at regular intervals throughout the entire landing, from the start to its completion, by authorised weighing operators, using the sample-size matrix referred to in points 17 and 19. Each sampling operation shall include at least the following steps:

(a)weighing each standardised box or standardised container sampled at landing;

(b)calculating the average weight of the standardised boxes or standardised containers landed by dividing the cumulative weight of all sampled boxes or containers by the number of standardised boxes or standardised containers sampled;

(c)calculating the maximum deviation from the average weight within the sample, determined as the highest absolute percentage resulting from dividing the difference between the weight of any individual standardised box or standardised container sampled at landing and the average weight calculated in accordance with sub-point (b), by that average weight and multiplying the result by 100;

(d)calculating the total gross weight of the standardised boxes or standardised containers by multiplying the average weight as determined under sub-point (b), by the total number of standardised boxes or standardised containers landed; and

(e)for unsorted small-pelagic fisheries products landed in standardised containers, the total quantities of each species landed shall be obtained by extrapolating the proportion of species present in the fishery products obtained through sampling to establish the catch composition under sub-section (i) to the total weight of all fisheries products landed, as determined through sampling procedures using the sample-size matrix referred to in point 17.

15.The appropriate number of samples shall be determined, according to the quantities landed, on the basis of a representative sample-size matrix in accordance with points 17 and 19.

16.For unsorted or sorted small pelagic fishery products landed in standardised boxes or standardised containers, a two-step sampling methodology may be applied:

(a)a first sample is weighed using the sampling matrix for Sample I referred to in point 17;

(b)where the average weight of standardised boxes or standardised containers with unsorted or sorted small pelagic fishery products determined in accordance with Sample I deviates by more than 5 % from any individual weight among the sampled boxes or containers, additional standardised boxes or standardised containers shall be weighed according to the sampling matrix for Sample II referred to in point 17;

(c)Sample II shall consist of the boxes or containers from Sample I supplemented with the number of boxes or containers needed to achieve the sample size specified by the Sample II matrix;

(d)where the average weight of standardised boxes or standardised containers with unsorted or sorted small pelagic fishery products determined in accordance with Sample I and Sample II deviates by more than 7.5 % from any individual weight among the sampled boxes or containers, all standardised boxes or standardised containers of fishery products shall be fully weighed on landing.

17.Subject to point 16, for unsorted or sorted small pelagic fishery products landed in standardised boxes or standardised containers, the two-step sampling methodology shall be based, at a minimum, on the following matrix, to determine the overall quantities landed:UNSORTED OR SORTED SMALL PELAGIC FISHERY PRODUCTSTotal number of standardised boxes or standardised containers landed | Sample size I (number of standardised boxes or standardised containers) | Sample size II (number of standardised boxes or standardised containers)10 or less | 4 | 611 – 20 | 5 | 821 – 30 | 5 | 1031 – 40 | 5 | 1041 – 50 | 5 | 1151 – 60 | 6 | 1161 – 70 | 6 | 1171 – 80 | 6 | 1181 – 90 | 6 | 1291 – 100 | 6 | 12Every additional 100 boxes or containers | + 1 | +1

18.For demersal fishery products landed in standardised boxes, a two-step sampling methodology may be applied:

(a)a first sample is weighed using the sampling matrix for Sample I referred to in point 19;

(b)where the average weight of standardised boxes with demersal fishery products in Sample I deviates by more than 5 % from any individual weight among the sampled boxes, additional standardised boxes shall be weighed according to the sampling matrix for Sample II referred to in point 19;

(c)Sample II shall consist of the boxes from Sample I supplemented with the number of boxes needed to achieve the sample size specified by the Sample II matrix;

(d)where the average weight of standardised boxes with demersal fishery products in Sample I and Sample II deviates by more than 10 % from any individual weight among the sampled boxes, all standardised boxes of fishery products shall be fully weighed on landing.

19.Subject to point 18, for demersal fishery products landed in standardised boxes, the two-step sampling methodology shall be based, at a minimum, on the following matrix, to determine the overall quantities landed:DEMERSAL FISHERY PRODUCTSTotal number ofstandardised boxes landed | Sample size I (number of standardised boxes) | Sample size II (number of standardised boxes)5 or less | All | All5 – 10 | 5 | All11 – 20 | 5 | 1121 – 30 | 5 | 1431 – 40 | 5 | 1541 – 50 | 5 | 1651 – 60 | 6 | 1761 – 70 | 6 | 1871 – 80 | 6 | 1981 – 90 | 6 | 1991 – 100 | 6 | 20101 – 150 | N/A | 21Every additional 100 standardised boxes | + 1 | +2

C. Measures to ensure compliance

20.Member States shall effectively monitor compliance with the conditions set out in this Annex at all stages of the sampling process and ensure that natural persons who commit and legal persons who are held liable for, infringements of these rules are subject to effective, proportionate, and dissuasive sanctions and other enforcement measures, in accordance with Title VIII of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

21.The procedures referred to in Section B shall be conducted under at least one of the following conditions:

(a)in the presence of officials;

(b)in weighing facilities that are fully or partially publicly owned or operated and are subject to dedicated control, inspection and transparency mechanisms, in order to exclude any direct or indirect conflict of interest that may affect the impartial exercise of their tasks;

(c)by independent third-party weighers complying with the minimum conditions laid down in Article 3(3) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1474^note, subject to dedicated control, inspection and transparency mechanisms;

(d)subject to alternative control measures requested under point 23, based on risk management and ensuring compliance with Section B, such as the use of remote electronic monitoring system (REM) with closed-circuit television (CCTV) or equivalent technology. Those measures shall be submitted to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(2)(d).

22.When REM systems with CCTVs are used, in accordance with point 21(d), the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing shall:

(a)review their installation to ensure the effectiveness of such systems for the monitoring of weighing, sampling and catch registration activities;

(b)have access to the systems and recordings, upon request; and

(c)review a minimum number of the CCTV recordings as part of the control and inspection measures referred to in Article 8.

D. Alternative conditions

23.Member States may request alternative conditions to those laid down in points 6, 7, 8, 10, 16 to 19, and 21 of this Annex, provided that such alternative conditions:

(a)concern special situations relating to:

(i)catching vessels below 12 meters length overall;

(ii)small quantities landed, weighed or transported;

(iii)the findings of independent scientific studies or bodies that are recognised at Union, national or international level;

(iv)the inter-box weight of fishery products landed in standardised boxes;

(v)the state of processing of fishery products;

(vi)fishery products not subject to quota or fisheries specific to Member States;

(vii)authorised weighing operators; or

(viii)the use of new technology; and

(b)ensure the same or a higher level of accuracy in weighing and catch-registration results.

24.Member States may allow catches of species not subject to Union conservation measures, from small pelagic and demersal fisheries covered by this Annex, landed unsorted and not exceeding 100 kg in total weight, to be sampled using an alternative sample-size methodology than the one referred to in points 8, 17 and 19 and associated procedures. Such methodology and procedures shall be submitted to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(2)(d) and shall comply with the conditions set out in point 23.

III · Sampling plan for the weighing of frozen fishery products

(a)frozen small pelagic and demersal fishery products that are landed sorted in standardised pallets; and

(b)frozen large pelagic fishery products of small individual weight from tropical tuna purse seine fisheries, that are landed unsorted.

This sampling plan lays down the minimum conditions for the weighing of the following fishery products, in accordance with a derogation approved under Article 60(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009:

A. General rules

1.The derogation to weigh under Article 60(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall be subject to the conditions set out in this Annex and other rules laid down in Articles 3 to 8 of this Regulation.

2.This Annex shall apply to frozen fishery products of small pelagic and demersal species that are landed in standardised pallets, provided that:

(a)the estimated total number of such pallets is communicated by the master to the competent authorities of the Member State of landing before the landing starts; and

(b)Member States of weighing have in place and implement procedures to ensure the accurate counting and identification of all standardised pallets landed and stored, allowing each pallet to be tracked until the first sale.

3.This Annex shall apply to the part of the catch of frozen large pelagic fishery products of individual weight from tropical tuna purse seine fisheries, landed unsorted, not exceeding a threshold submitted to and agreed with the Commission, provided that all quantities not exceeding the applicable threshold are sorted from the rest of the catch, weighed and kept separated from other fishery products, including frozen large pelagic fishery products exceeding the applicable threshold, until first sale.

B. Procedures applying to frozen fishery products of small pelagic and demersal species that are landed in standardised pallets

4.Authorised weighing operators shall ensure that all landed frozen fishery products eligible for sampling under this Annex pass through a single designated point, where all pallets shall be counted and recorded by automated mechanisms.

5.To determine the average weight of standardised pallets, per species, samples shall be collected individually and at regular intervals throughout the entire landing, from the start to its completion, by an authorised weighing operator, using the sample-size matrix(es) referred to in points 7 and 8. Each sampling operation shall include at least the following steps:

(a)selecting a sample of standardised pallets for each species, using the sample-size matrix referred to above;

(b)weighing the total number of standardised pallets to be sampled at landing;

(c)calculating the gross weight of each standardised pallet sampled;

(d)calculating the net weight of each standardised pallet sampled by deducting the appropriate tare weight, as established in accordance with points 10 to 12, from the gross weight under point (c). Labels shall indicate the net weight of each standardised pallet sampled;

(e)calculating the average net weight of standardised pallets for each species by dividing the cumulative net weight of all sampled pallets under point (d) by the number of pallets sampled for the same species; and

(f)calculating the total net weight of all frozen fishery products landed in standardised pallets by multiplying the average net weight(s) under point (e) by the number of corresponding pallets landed for each species.

6.The appropriate number of samples shall be determined by the authorised weighing operator, according to the quantities landed, on the basis of a representative sample-size matrix in accordance with points 7 and 8.

7.For standardised pallets of small pelagic species, the minimum sample amount shall be based on the number of standardised pallets landed, according to the following matrix:Number of standardised pallets | Sample size: number of standardised pallets to be sampled per speciesOTHER PEL | JAX | ARG50 or less | 19 | 23 | 2151 – 75 | 22 | 26 | 2476 – 100 | 24 | 29 | 26101 – 200 | 27 | 34 | 29201 – 250 | 28 | 35 | 30251 – 500 | 29 | 37 | 32501 – 750 | 30 | 38 | 33751 – 1000 | 30 | 39 | 331001 – 1500 | 30 | 39 | 341501 – 3000 | 31 | 40 | 343001 – 6000 | 31 | 40 | 34Every additional or partial +1000 | + 2 | + 2 | + 2

8.For standardised pallets of demersal species, the minimum sample amount shall be based on the number of standardised pallets of each species landed according to the following matrix, where the variability in pallets weight from the average calculated pallet weight does not exceed 5 %:Number of standardised pallets | Sample size (standardised pallets) for demersal fisheries products with 5 % variability50 or less | 1651 – 75 | 1876 – 100 | 20101 – 200 | 22201 – 250 | 22251 – 500 | 23501 – 750 | 23751 – 1000 | 231001 – 1500 | 241501 – 3000 | 243001 – 6000 | 24Every additional or partial +1000 | + 2

9.Member States shall have in place and implement measures to ensure the correct weighing and registration of samples by authorised weighing operators, and to monitor the number and location of standardised pallets. As a minimum, such measures shall require that all standardised pallets sampled are kept separate from the rest of the standardised pallets in an area designated for easy identification until the completion of weighing, unless otherwise authorised by the competent authorities of the Member State for inspected landings. Alternatively, where a storage management system is in place ensuring the identification and location of all standardised pallets, and where the pallets selected for sample weighing are immediately available to the competent authority of the Member State of landing upon request, the designated area for easy identification shall not be required.

Tare weight deduction

10.The tare weight of a standardised pallet shall be calculated as the sum of the tare weights of all standardised boxes comprising the pallet (i.e., the tare weight of one standardised box multiplied by the number of boxes in the pallet), plus the manufacturer’s tare weight of the empty or dry pallet itself. The tare weight of a standardised box shall include the weight of the manufacturer’s packaging. Ice and water deductions may only be applied subject to point 12.

11.Where information on the manufacturer’s tare weight of the packaging or pallet is not available, the following procedure shall apply to determine the tare weight:

(a)for each standardised pallet, a sample of 10 standardised boxes shall be weighed to determine the average packaging weight. Samples shall be selected from different standardised pallets. All packaging used for this measurement shall be undamaged and dry;

(b)calculate the average tare weight of the packaging by dividing the total weight from the 10 samples by 10; and

(c)to determine the average tare weight for a standardised pallet, individually weigh 10 undamaged, dry pallets selected randomly. Calculate the average tare weight by dividing the total weight by 10.

12.In the case of frozen pelagic fishery products landed in standardised pallets, the packaging tare weight (including ice) to be applied per standardised box shall be 1 kg.

C. Procedures applying to frozen large pelagic fishery products of small individual weight that are landed unsorted

13.Samples shall be collected individually and at regular intervals throughout the entire landing, from the start to its completion, by an authorised weighing operator, using a representative sample-size matrix, which shall be based, at a minimum, on a methodology agreed with the Commission.

14.Each sampling operation shall include at least the following steps:

(a)determining the total unsorted weight of frozen large pelagic fishery products not exceeding the applicable threshold;

(b)determining, in accordance with point 13, the average proportion of frozen large pelagic fishery products not exceeding the applicable threshold;

(c)applying the total unsorted weight determined in point (a) to the average proportion determined in point (b) in order to calculate the quantities of each species;

(d)determining the total landed weight of each species of frozen large pelagic fishery products by adding the quantities determined in point (c) to the quantities of frozen large pelagic fishery products exceeding the applicable threshold.

15.Member States shall establish and implement measures to ensure the correct weighing and registration of samples by authorised weighing operators. As a minimum, those measures shall require that each sample is identifiable, labelled and kept separate from the remaining fishery products for at least two hours after sampling and until the end of the landing.

D. Measures to ensure compliance

16.Member States shall effectively monitor compliance with the conditions set out in this Annex at all stages of the sampling process and ensure that natural persons who commit and legal persons who are held liable for, infringements of these rules are subject to effective, proportionate, and dissuasive sanctions and other enforcement measures, in accordance with Title VIII of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

17.The procedures referred to in Sections B and C shall be conducted under at least one of the following conditions:

(a)in the presence of officials;

(c)by independent third-party weighers complying with the minimum conditions laid down in Article 3(3) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1474, subject to dedicated control, inspection and transparency mechanisms;

(d)subject to alternative control measures requested under point 19, based on risk management and ensuring compliance with Sections B and C, such as the use of remote electronic monitoring system (REM) with closed-circuit television (CCTV) or equivalent technology. Those measures shall be submitted to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(2)(d).

18.When REM systems with CCTVs are used, in accordance with point 17(d), the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing shall:

(a)review their installation to ensure the effectiveness of such systems for the monitoring of weighing, sampling and catch registration activities;

(b)have access to the recordings; and

(c)review a minimum number of the CCTV recordings as part of the control and inspection measures referred to in Article 8.

E. Alternative conditions

19.Member States may request alternative conditions to those laid down in points 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 and 17 of this Annex, provided that such alternative conditions:

(a)concern special situations relating to:

(i)catching vessels below 12 meters length overall;

(ii)small quantities landed, weighed or transported;

(iii)the findings of independent scientific studies or bodies that are recognised at Union, national or international level;

(iv)the inter-box weight of fishery products landed in standardised boxes;

(v)the state of processing of fishery products;

(vi)fishery products not subject to quota or fisheries specific to Member States;

(vii)authorised weighing operators; or

(viii)the use of new technology; and

(b)ensure the same or a higher level of accuracy in weighing and catch-registration results.

Annex IV · Sampling plan for fishery products weighed on board

This sampling plan lays down the minimum conditions for the weighing on board of sorted fishery products, in accordance with a derogation approved under Article 60(3)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

A. General rules

1.The derogation to weigh on board under Article 60(3)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall be subject to the conditions set out in this Annex and the rules laid down in Articles 3 to 8 of this Regulation, and shall apply only to catching vessels expressly authorised for that purpose by the competent authorities of the flag Member State.

2.Authorised weighing operators shall store all fishery products weighed on board in boxes containing a single species with the same presentation originating from the same relevant geographical area.

3.Boxes referred to in point 2 shall be labelled in such a way as to confirm that they were weighed on board for the purposes of this Annex.

4.Labels referred to in point 3 shall be made of durable material, securely affixed to the box, and shall not be removed, effaced, altered, illegible, covered or concealed during the relevant handling, transport and inspection or until the completion of the landing. Those labels shall indicate, at a minimum:

(a)the name of the catching vessel, where available;

(b)the CFR number or, if not applicable, the IMO number or other unique vessel identifier of the fishing vessel from which the weighed quantity originates;

(c)the FAO alpha-3 code of each species weighed; and

(d)the quantities of each species in kilograms of product weighed in accordance with Article 60(3)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, broken down by type of presentation, and relevant geographical area.

5.Masters of Union catching vessels authorised to weigh on board shall record all quantities weighed on board, so as to ensure that they can be clearly distinguished from other recorded quantities, in the fishing logbook and transmit that information to the competent authorities of their flag Member State in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009.

6.The Member State of landing may require that any quantity of fishery products weighed on board be re-weighed upon landing and that the results be used for the purposes of Article 60(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

B. Procedures

10.When the accuracy of weighing on board is verified in accordance with point 8, officials shall determine the quantities of each species, per presentation and relevant geographical area, landed on the basis of the total figures recorded on the labels for all boxes of fishery products weighed on board.

11.In cases where the permitted 5 % variation in point 9 is exceeded, or if discrepancies are identified in the information referred to in point 6, the entire catch shall be weighed in the presence of officials in accordance with Article 60(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and the results used for the purposes of Article 60(7) of that Regulation.

12.The sample of boxes referred to in point 8 shall be based, at a minimum, on the following matrix:Total number of boxes | Sample size [number of boxes to be sample weighed]10 or less | All11 – 20 | 1121 – 30 | 1431 – 40 | 1541 – 50 | 1651 – 60 | 1761 – 70 | 1871 – 80 | 1981 – 90 | 1991 – 100 | 20101 – 150 | 21Every additional 100 boxes | + 2

13.By way of derogation from points 7 to 12, during inspection, where fishery products are weighed on board and landed in standardised boxes, the officials of the Member State of weighing may apply the sampling methodology set out in Annex II(B)(iii) to determine the weight of the fisheries products landed.

7.The competent authorities of the Member State of landing shall ensure that at least 5 % of all landings of catches weighed on board are inspected annually.

8.During an inspection, the accuracy of weighing on board shall be verified by reweighing a sample of boxes in the presence of officials. The size of the sample to be reweighed shall depend on the total quantities of boxes weighed on board in accordance with the matrix referred to in point 12.

9.The results of the reweighing of individual boxes shall be compared to the weight recorded on the label of each box sampled. The maximum permitted variation between the weight indicated on the label, and the verified figure from reweighing, shall be 5 % for any sampled box or, alternatively, 5 % calculated as the average variation across all sampled boxes.

C. Measures to ensure compliance

14.Member States shall effectively monitor compliance with the conditions set out in this Annex, and shall ensure that natural persons who commit and legal persons who are held liable for, infringements of these rules are subject to effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions and other enforcement measures in accordance with Title VIII of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, including, where appropriate, the temporary suspension or permanent withdrawal of the authorisation to weigh on board.

D. Alternative conditions

15.Member States may request alternative conditions to those laid down in points 7, 9, 11 and 12 of this Annex, provided that such alternative conditions:

(a)concern special situations relating to:

(i)catching vessels below 12 meters length overall;

(ii)small quantities landed, weighed or transported;

(iii)the findings of independent scientific studies or bodies that are recognised at Union, national or international level;

(iv)the inter-box weight of fishery products landed in standardised boxes;

(v)the state of processing of fishery products;

(vi)fishery products not subject to quota or fisheries specific to Member States;

(vii)authorised weighing operators; or

(viii)the use of new technology; and

(b)ensure the same or a higher level of accuracy in weighing and catch-registration results.

Annex V · Control plan for the weighing of fresh fishery products after transport on the territory of a Member State where the landing took place

This control plan lays down the minimum conditions for the weighing of fresh fishery products after transport within the Member State of landing, in accordance with a derogation approved under Article 60(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

A. General rules

1.This Annex shall only apply to fishery products weighed after transport in approved and registered weighing facilities, in accordance with the minimum requirements set out in section E of this Annex.

2.The Member State of landing shall ensure that transport units transporting fishery products covered by the derogation in Article 60(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 are readily identifiable throughout transport, from the place of loading to the place of destination of the consignment(s), where appropriate for control purposes.

3.The derogation to weigh under Article 60(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall be subject to the conditions set out in this Annex and other rules laid down in Articles 3 to 8 of this Regulation.

4.All fishery products transported in a transport unit for weighing after transport shall arrive in their entirety at a single weighing destination. By way of derogation, in the event of multiple loading locations of fish not previously weighed or multiple unloading locations to approved weighing facilities a separate transport document, including the information listed in point 9, shall be issued for each intermediary loading or unloading location before each transport.

5.Without prejudice to Article 24 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1766^note, and unless otherwise provided for under the rules of the CFP, transport units shall be sealed by the transporter using non-duplicatable tags issued by, or on behalf of, the competent authorities of the Member State of landing, where they are identified, on the basis of risk management taking into account at least the elements listed in Article 8(3) of this Regulation, as posing a high risk of non-compliance with the rules laid down in this Annex.

6.All fishery products transported to an authorised weighing facility under this Annex shall:

(a)be distinguishable from catches already weighed and from catches of other vessels during transport from the place of landing to the weighing facility. The transport of catches from multiple vessels in a single transport unit is permitted only if clear separation of each vessels’ catch is ensured; and

(b)arrive at the weighing facility in a condition that allows for species identification. For unsorted catches used for industrial purposes, where part of the catches of the species cannot be identified, this part shall be attributed in proportion of the catch composition for the identifiable part in the catches.

B. Procedures

7.All catches of fishery products covered by this Annex shall be weighed in their entirety after transport upon arrival at the approved and registered weighing facility referred to in point 1.

8.By way of derogation to point 7, the sampling provisions laid down in Annex II(B)(i) and II(B)(iii) may apply to determine the catch composition after transport of fishery products landed unsorted and the weight of fishery products in standardised boxes and standardised containers.

C. Transport documents

9.In addition to the data required in Article 68(4) and (5) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and without prejudice to Article 68(6) of the same Regulation, the transport document shall include the following information:

(a)the transport seal number(s), where available;

(b)indication that fishery products are to be weighed after transport under Article 60(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;

(c)the estimated date and time of arrival at the destination referred to in Article 68(4)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; and

(d)the number of boxes or containers transported, per transport unit, broken down by species, presentation and relevant geographical area, where applicable.

D. Measures to ensure compliance

10.Member States shall effectively monitor compliance with the conditions set out in this Annex at all stages of the weighing process and ensure that natural persons who commit and legal persons who are held liable for, infringements of these rules are subject to effective, proportionate, and dissuasive sanctions and other enforcement measures, in accordance with Title VIII of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

11.The procedures referred to in Section B shall be conducted under at least one of the following conditions:

(a)in the presence of officials;

(d)subject to alternative control measures requested under point 18, based on risk management and ensuring compliance with Section B, such as the use of remote electronic monitoring system (REM) with closed-circuit television (CCTV) or equivalent technology. Those measures shall be submitted to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(2)(d) of this Regulation.

12.When REM systems with CCTVs are used, in accordance with point 11(d), the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing shall:

(a)review their installation to ensure the effectiveness of such systems for the monitoring of weighing, sampling and catch registration activities;

(b)have access to the recordings, upon request; and

(c)review a minimum number of the CCTV recordings as part of the control and inspection measures referred to in Article 8.

E. Minimum requirements for weighing facilities

13.Weighing facilities shall:

(a)be registered and approved by competent authorities of the Member States of weighing; and

(b)have the capacity to distinguish catches from each vessel, ensuring the clear identification of all fishery products prior to weighing.

14.Weighing facilities that, on the basis of risk management taking into account at least the risk factors listed in Article 8(3) of this Regulation, are identified as posing a risk of non-compliance with the rules laid down in this Annex shall be subject to a physical inspection by the competent authorities of the Member State concerned within 12 months of their approval, or, where the identification occurs at a later stage, within 12 months from the date of that identification. Such inspection shall at least include the verification of:

(a)the number and models of weighing systems to be used at the weighing facility, and their location of installation;

(b)the maximum daily weighing capacity in the case of conveyor belt and batch weighing systems;

(c)drawings of the catch handling and production process of fishery products from arrival at the facility to final product storage, including locations of weighing systems, sampling and sorting areas, the storage area and REM systems with CCTVs, where relevant;

(d)where continuous weighing systems are used, a copy of the technical wiring schematics and possible connections;

(e)the point of contact for the operator or their representative during weighing operations; and

(f)how access to weighing facility, weighing systems, weighing information, records, and, where relevant, REM systems with CCTVs will be ensured.

15.Authorised weighing operators shall notify the competent authority about any changes to the approved weighing systems and weighing facilities in advance of their use. The weighing systems and weighing facilities shall not be used without explicit authorisation by the competent authorities.

16.Unless a shorter period is set by the Member State, the approval issued by the competent authority shall be of the limited duration not exceeding five consecutive years.

17.The competent authority referred to in point 16 shall have the right to revoke the approval of the weighing facility if the above conditions are not met or if there is evidence of unsatisfactory weighing and catch registration activities.

F. Alternative conditions

18.Member States may request alternative conditions to those laid down in points 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 14 of this Annex, provided that such alternative conditions:

(a)concern special situations relating to:

(i)catching vessels below 12 meters length overall;

(ii)small quantities landed, weighed or transported;

(iii)the findings of independent scientific studies or bodies that are recognised at Union, national or international level;

(iv)the inter-box weight of fishery products landed in standardised boxes;

(v)the state of processing of fishery products;

(vi)fishery products not subject to quota or fisheries specific to Member States;

(vii)authorised weighing operators; or

(viii)the use of new technology; and

(b)ensure the same or a higher level of accuracy in weighing and catch-registration results.

Annex VI · Common control programme for the weighing of fresh fishery products after transport from the Member State of landing to a destination on the territory of another Member State

This common control programme lays down the minimum conditions for weighing fresh fishery products after transport from the Member State of landing to a destination on the territory of another Member State, in accordance with a derogation approved under Article 60(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

A. General rules

1.This Annex shall only apply to fishery products:

(a)landed by fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State that is a party to the common control programme and expressly authorised by that Member State to weigh catches in accordance with that common control programme;

(b)landed in ports identified by the Member State of landing for the purposes of applying a common control programme; and

(c)weighed after transport in approved and registered weighing facilities, in accordance with the minimum requirements set out in Section F of this Annex.

2.The transportation of fishery products from the point(s) of landing to the weighing destination shall be monitored by the competent authorities of the Member States concerned. Those Member States shall establish and implement rules for the registration of transporters authorised to transport fishery products covered by the derogation in Article 60(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, as well as for the unique identification of the relevant transport units.

3.The derogation to weigh under Article 60(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall be subject to the conditions set out in this Annex and other rules laid down in Articles 3 to 8 of this Regulation.

4.All fishery products transported after landing for weighing in another Member State shall arrive at the place of weighing and be weighed in full, per species and presentation, upon arrival. However, for unsorted fishery products weighed after transport, sampling provisions equivalent to those specified in Annex II(B)(i) may apply to determine the catch composition, which shall be extrapolated, according to the results of aggregate weighing, to establish the quantities of each species.

5.All fishery products weighed under a common control programme shall be transported from a single point of loading to a single destination.

6.All fishery products shall enter the receiving weighing facility via a designated access point.

7.All transport units shall be sealed by the transporter using non duplicatable seals. The seals shall be placed by the transporter for non-inspected landings or by an official during inspected landings if required. Seals shall be used for all transports to ensure the integrity of transported fishery products. The seals, bearing unique numbers, shall be supplied by the competent authority of either Member State, or on behalf of competent authorities, in accordance with procedures agreed upon between the Member States involved in the common control programme.

8.All fishery products transported to an authorised weighing facility under this Annex shall:

Transport document

(a)transport seal number;

(b)the estimated date and time of arrival at the destination referred to in Article 68(4)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; and

(c)indication that fishery products are to be weighed after transport under Article 60(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

B. Procedures

10.The weighing record shall serve as confirmation that weighing has occurred. The competent authority in the Member State of weighing shall transmit the weighing record to the Member State of landing, and to the flag Member State if different.

11.Member States that are parties to the common control programme shall have in place and implement rules for cross checking of all prior notifications, transport documents, landing declarations, weighing records, sales notes, and takeover declarations submitted and exchanged under this Annex to detect errors, inconsistencies, and missing information in the data.

C. Measures to ensure compliance

12.Member States shall effectively monitor compliance with the conditions set out in this Annex at all stages, including the weighing, registration and transport of fishery products, and ensure that natural persons who commit and legal persons who are held liable for, infringements of these rules are subject to effective, proportionate, and dissuasive sanctions and other enforcement measures, in accordance with Title VIII of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

13.Member States shall establish procedures for mutual cooperation to be undertaken on an annual basis, to monitor the application of common control programmes and to ensure consistency of implementation and the accurate weighing and registration of fishery products.

14.Transporters shall have in place systems to ensure that the transport units can be located from the place of landing to the destination of the fishery products and provide details of the locations of transport units to officials upon request.

15.The activities referred to in point 4 shall be conducted under at least one of the following conditions:

(a)in the presence of officials;

16.When REM systems with CCTVs are used, in accordance with point 15(d), the competent authorities of the Member State of weighing shall:

(a)review their installation to ensure the effectiveness of such systems for the monitoring of weighing, sampling and catch registration activities;

(b)have access to the recordings, upon request; and

(c)review a minimum number of the CCTV recordings as part of the control and inspection measures referred to in Article 8.

D. Information sharing

17.Member States shall establish rules and procedures to ensure the electronic sharing of information necessary for the effective implementation of this Annex, including:

(a)the list of vessels utilizing the common control programme;

(b)the ports identified by the Member State of landing for the purposes of applying the common control programme;

(c)the quantity of fishery products, per species, presentation, and relevant geographical area, transported and weighed from the port of landing to the final destination;

(d)the approved and registered weighing facilities where the transported fishery products are weighed;

(e)details of any suspected infringements detected at approved and registered weighing facilities;

(f)details of any suspected infringements committed by any natural or legal person under this Annex, including masters, authorised weighing operators, and transporters; and

(g)details of suspected infringements involving the transport of fishery products under the common control programme.

E. Minimum requirements for weighing facilities

18.Weighing facilities shall:

(a)be registered and approved by competent authorities of the Member States of weighing, in accordance with national law; and

(b)have the capacity to distinguish catches from each vessel, ensuring the clear identification of all fishery products prior to weighing.

19.Weighing facilities that, on the basis of risk management taking into account at least the risk factors listed in Article 8(3) of this Regulation, are identified as posing a risk of non-compliance with the rules laid down in this Annex shall be subject to a physical inspection by the competent authorities of the Member State concerned within 12 months of their approval, or, where the identification occurs at a later stage, within 12 months from the date of that identification. Such inspection shall at least include the verification of:

(a)the number and models of weighing systems to be used at the weighing facility, and their location of installation;

(b)the maximum daily weighing capacity in the case of conveyor belt and batch weighing systems;

(c)the drawings of the catch handling and production process of fishery products from arrival at the facility to final product storage, including locations of weighing systems, sampling and sorting areas, the storage area and REM systems with CCTVs, where relevant;

(d)where continuous weighing systems are used, a copy of the technical wiring schematics and possible connections;

(e)the point of contact for the operator or their representative during weighing operations; and how access to weighing facility, weighing systems, weighing information, records, and, where relevant, REM systems with CCTVs will be ensured.

20.Authorised weighing operators shall notify the competent authority about any changes to the approved weighing systems and weighing facilities in advance of their use. The weighing systems and weighing facilities shall not be used without explicit authorisation by the competent authorities.

21.Unless a shorter period is set by the Member State, the approval issued by the competent authority shall be of the limited duration not exceeding five consecutive years.

22.The competent authority referred to in point 21 shall have the right to revoke the approval of the weighing facility if the above conditions are not met or if there is evidence of unsatisfactory weighing and catch registration activities.

F. Alternative conditions

23.Member States may request alternative conditions to those laid down in points 15, 18 and 19 of this Annex, provided that such alternative conditions:

(a)concern special situations relating to:

(i)catching vessels below 12 meters length overall;

(ii)small quantities landed, weighed or transported;

(iii)the findings of independent scientific studies or bodies that are recognised at Union, national or international level;

(iv)the inter-box weight of fishery products landed in standardised boxes;

(v)the state of processing of fishery products;

(vi)fishery products not subject to quota or fisheries specific to Member States;

(vii)authorised weighing operators; or

(viii)the use of new technology; and

(b)ensure the same or a higher level of accuracy in weighing and catch-registration results.