1-18. OFFICIAL GRADEMARKS ON SHIPPING CONTAINERS
a. Consumer Grade Designated. The grademark is used on a shipping
container to designate a consumer grade. See figure 1-6. Preprinted grademarks do
not require a date. However, when a grademark is applied by stamping, the date the
product was graded must be used in conjunction with the grademark.
Figure 1-6. Example of a USDA shipping container grademark.
b. When a Grade Certificate Is Issued. The sample graded stamp is used
when grade certification is made in conjunction with other factors, such as test weighing
and temperature certification. See figure 1-7. This stamp may only be used when a
certificate is actually issued and must show the certificate number in the stamp.
Figure 1-7. Example of a Sample Graded stamp.
c. When In Compliance With All Contract Requirements. The contract
compliance stamp is used when identifying product that has been produced according
to approved specifications and is not to be applied until product is determined to be in
compliance with all contract requirements. See figure 1-8. Either the certificate number
or the date the product was certified may be used in the stamp, but the certificate
number is preferred.
MD0728
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