Did You Know
ISPM 15
ISPM 15 a Reality for Exporting Products
The International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) ISPM 15 guidelines governing the treatment of solid wood packaging was designed to standardize requirements and meet the pest eradication needs of the 118 countries that were the original signatories to the agreement.
The European Union (E.U) began enforcement of ISPM-15 March 1, 2005. The E.U. deferred for a year their debarking and bark-free specifications (see dunnage exception below), but claim they will present technical justification for the additional requirements and begin enforcement March 2006. The E.U. has some variations that need to be clarified:
• Marking: Until December 31, 2007 the E.U. will accept all previously recognized marks for heat treatment (HT, “no-bug” logo, and ISPM 15 mark). For fumigation, however, they will only accept the ISPM 15 mark; if you have wood packaging with the previous fumigation mark you must re-treat and re-mark.
• Dunnage: If dunnage is treated and marked it need not be bark-free. If dunnage is not marked it must be bark-free and devoid of pests and signs of live pests.
If the E.U. implements debark and bark-free requirements in March 2006 as they plan, dunnage must comply with the same treatment, marking and debarking as all other wood packaging.
Compliance with ISPM-15 for wood packaging materials allows for two treatment options:
• Heat Treatment (HT): Wood packaging material should be heated in a schedule that achieves a minimum core temperature of 56ºC for a minimum of 30 minutes. The American Lumber Standards Committee administers the U.S. certification program for heat treatment.
• Methyl Bromide (MB) Fumigation: The wood packaging material should be fumigated with methyl bromide. NWPCA has been tasked by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to administer the fumigation program.
With over 700 liscensed fumigators, Copesan has the capability to handle all your fumigation needs.
NOTE: ISPM 15 requirements apply to all species of coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) packaging materials.
Summary info for countries that have begun implementation or announced plans to implement ISPM 15
Australia - September 1, 2004 (Bark-free + packing declaration for ISPM 15-compliant WPM, 21-day rule does not apply)
Brazil - September 16, 2005
Canada - September 16, 2005 (Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004)
Exemption granted to US
Chile - June 1, 2004
China - January 1, 2006 (MB fumigation of softwood packaging must be at least 24 hours depending on wood temperature)
Colombia - September 16, 2005
Costa Rica - January 1, 2005
European Union (EU) - March 1, 2005 (See special conditions above)
Guatemala -September 16, 2005
India - November 1, 2004 (Phytosanitary certificate required only for WPM that are not ISPM 15-compliant)
Mexico - September 16, 2005 (Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004)
New Zealand -April 16, 2003
Nigeria - September 30, 2004
Philippines - June 1, 2005 (Partial enforcement starting January 1, 2005, WPM must be treated but marking not required)
South Africa - January 1, 2005
South Korea - June 1, 2005 (HT only for softwood packaging
Switzerland - March 1, 2005
US - September 16, 2005 (Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004. Exemption granted to Canada)
Turkey - January 1, 2006 (Debarked WPM)
Source: NWPCA, www.palletcentral.com
