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		Listed below you will find the most recent information regarding the 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.
		European Union (EU)
		The European Union has released its draft commission directive on wood packaging that all 25 EU nations will be implementing starting March 1, 2005. In the draft, 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.
		Regarding implementation date(s), EU will require ISPM 15 compliance on new WPM starting March 1, 2005. WPM now in circulation or in storage is not required to be treated and marked until December 21, 2007.
		The debarking and bark-free requirements are not consistent with ISPM 15 and implementation date(s) is confusing. NWPCA is working with USDA APHIS and EU officials to assure these requirements are dropped and the implementation date is clarified.
		United States
		Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) just released it's final rule "Importation of wood packaging material." Starting September 16, 2005 all imported WPM except those coming from Canada must be treated and marked according to ISPM 15. Non-compliant WPM will be re-exported, treatment at the port of entry will not be an option. In some cases compliant WPM with signs of pests may be fumigated at the port. APHIS will use risk management techniques and statistical sampling for inspection targets. Shipment from countries with high levels of interception will face more inspection whereas, highly compliant importers will be subject to fewer inspection. (Note: The United States regulations control imports into America. They do not have authority over export wood packaging. For exports, be sure to be guided by the rules of the destination country.)
		Chile
		Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service has notified WTO about their intention to adopt ISPM 15. Their proposed date of enforcement is June 1, 2005.
		Costa Rica
		Costa Rica's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has notified WTO of its intent to adopt ISPM 15 in their regulations for imported WPM. Implementation date is January 1, 2005.
		Australia
		As posted last month, Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) has 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; and annual declaration is not acceptable). The NWPCA website will be posting a sample declaration next week; look for it in the section: Resource Center, Legislation/Regulations, and Australia.
		The following are no longer needed for wood packaging to be compliant under ISPM 15 in Australia:
		v    The 21-day rule for non-permanent treatment methods (e.g. heat sterilization, fumigation) does apply and · A treatment certificate AND packing declaration are required.
		v    A treatment certificate AND packing declaration are required.
		Brazil
		Brazil is not yet requiring ISPM 15 compliant WPM originating from the US. Their import requirement based on ISPM 15 only applies to countries that have notified WTO and the Brazilian government of their adoption of ISPM 15.
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