Click here for printable page   
   
 
 
     
 
  Listed below you will find proposed implementation dates by country for the adoption of IPPC's ISPM 15 Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade. This information has been provided by the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association.    
     
  Brazil    
  Brazil is planning to implement ISPM 15 in September 2005.    
       
  Colombia    
  Colombia changed their implementation date from December 31, 2004 to September 15, 2005.    
         
  European Union (EU)    
  The European Commission (EC) issued a directive that all 25 EU nations will be implementing. In the directive, regulated WPM shall be made from debarked round wood and subject to heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation and marked accordingly with the ISPM 15 mark. Dunnage must be made from bark-free round wood, free from pests and signs of live pests, and ISPM 15 compliant.    
         
    The United States is contesting these requirements. They were discussed in the ISPM 15 working group when the standard was being developed and rejected on the basis of having no technical justification for quarantine pests. The EC is meeting on January 20 to make a final resolution on this matter. It is their intention to listen to any legitimate scientific requirements, APHIS will insist the EC adhere to the ISPM 15 agreement.    
         
  Regarding implementation date(s), EU will require ISPM 15 compliance on new WPM starting March 1, 2005. WPM already in circulation or in storage will not be required to be treated and marked until December 21, 2007.    
     
  North America    
  The United States, Canada and Mexico will strictly enforce ISPM 15 starting September 16, 2005. Until then, it is recommended to use ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging going to North America. There is an exemption agreement between the U.S. and Canada.    
     
  Taiwan    
  Taiwan's new regulation only applies to lumber and other wood products and does not include wood packaging.    
     
  Turkey    
  Turkey has changed its implementation date from January 1, 2005 to January 1, 2006. Similar to the EU, Turkey's import requirements for regulated WPM requires debarking.    
     
  Australia    
  The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) announced its amended import requirements for solid wood packaging; those requirements took effect September 1, 2004.    
  ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging is acceptable for shipment to Australia under the following conditions:    
  v     Heat treated at 56°C for at least 30 minutes OR fumigated with methyl bromide and marked with the ISPM 15 stamp.    
  v     Bark-free    
  v     Include a packing declaration (Note: declaration for ISPM 15 compliant solid wood packaging must be submitted per consignment; an annual declaration is not acceptable). The NWPCA website has a sample declaration; members will find it in the section: Resource Center, Legislation/Regulations, Australia.    
  The following are no longer needed for wood packaging to be compliant under ISPM 15 in Australia:    
  v     Treatment certificate (provided that the packing declaration indicates ISPM 15 compliance).    
  v     Satisfy the 21-day requirement (no more time limit between treatment and packing).    
     
  If wood packaging is not marked as ISPM 15 compliant:    
  v     The 21-day rule for non-permanent treatment methods (e.g. heat sterilization, fumigation) does apply, and    
  v     A treatment certificate AND packing declaration are required.    
     
  Canada    
  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has set April 1, 2005, as its target date for strict enforcement of ISPM 15. Non-compliant wood packaging will be rejected and the cost involved is the responsibility of the shipper. All countries must comply and only the U.S. has been granted an exemption.    
     
 
(Continued)
   
         
       
    Ockerlund Industries, Inc.- 7725 West Van Buren Street - Forest Park, Illinois 60130    
    (708) 771-7707/(708) 771-0614 Fax website: www.oxbox.biz