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  European Union (EU)  
  The European Union began enforcement of ISPM 15 March 1, 2005. The EU deferred for a year, their debarking and bark-free specifications (see dunnage exemption below), but claim they will present technical justification for the additional requirements and begin enforcement March 2006. The EU has some variations that need to be clarified:  
 

· Marking: Until December 31, 2007 the EU will accept all previously recognized marks for heat treatment (HT, "no-bug" logo, and ISPM 15 mark). For fumigation, however, they will on ly 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 EU 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.  
       
   

ISPM-15 Requirements

  
       
 

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 56° C for a minimum of 30 minutes. The American Lumber Standards Committee administers the U.S. Certification program for heat treatment.

  
   

· Methyl Bromide (MB): Wood packaging material should be fumigated with methyl bromide. NSPCA has been tasked by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to administer the fumigation program.

  
       
  Note: ISPM-15 requirements apply to all species of coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) packaging materials.  
     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
       
 
 
       
     
    Ockerlund Industries, Inc.  
    1555 Wrightwood Court -Addison, Illinois 60101 - (630) 620-1BOX/(630) 889-1BOX Fax