Below you will find the latest information regarding
implementation of ISPM 15 (click
here to download), the IPPC’s (International Plant Protection
Committee) Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in
International Trade. This standard is applicable to BOTH coniferous
(softwood) AND non-coniferous (hardwood) packaging. I.e., both
now require either heat—treatment (HT) or fumigation with
methyl bromide (MB).
Based on their World Trade Organization (WTO)
notifications, the following countries are now or soon will be
enforcing ISPM 15:
Enforcement Date
Ecuador Apr 26,2004
Panama Feb 17,2005
Peru Mar 1,2005
Argentina Jun 1,2005
For the latest information on international
treatment requirements, please visit the USDA's
web site.
Update: May, 2005
Download PDF
Countries with implementation changes since
last update:
South Korea
Korea has revised its requirements for softwood packaging. Formerly
they would only accept HT for softwood; they will now accept MB
fumigation provided they are treated using a 24-hour schedule.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has
published its regulation for import and export wood packaging
materials. There was no mention about the implementation date.
Summary information for countries that have
begun implementation or announced plans to implement ISPM-15:
Argentina: June 1,2005
Australia: September 1, 2004
(Variations to ISPM-15: Bark-free + packing declaration for ISPM-15
compliant WPM, 21-day rule does not apply)
Brazil: September 16, 2005
(Note: September 2005 is Brazil's announced date, however it is
considering harmonizing implementation with Argentina, Chile,
Paraguay and Uruguay for June 1, 2005.)
Canada: September 16, 2005
(Note: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004; exemption
granted to U.S.)
Chile: June 1, 2005
China: January 1, 2006 (Variation:
MB fumigation of softwood packaging must be at least 24-hours
depending on wood temperature)
Colombia: September 16, 2005
Costa Rica: January 1, 2005
Ecuador: April 26, 2004
European Union: March 1, 2005
Guatemala: September 16, 2005
India: November 1, 2004 (Variation:
Phytosanitary certificate required only for WPM not ISPM-15 compliant)
Mexico: September 16, 2005
(Note: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004)
New Zealand: April 16, 2003
Nigeria: September 30, 2004
Panama: February 17, 2005
Peru: March 1, 2005
Philippines: June 1, 2005 (Note:
Partial enforcement starting January 1, 2005, WPM must be treated,
but marking not required)
South Africa: January 1, 2005
South Korea: June 1, 2005 (Variation:
HT only for softwood packaging)
Switzerland: March 1, 2005
Turkey: January 1, 2006 (Variation:
Debarked WPM)
U.S.: September 16, 2005 (Note:
Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004; exemption granted
to Canada)
Contact
us for more information.
International Phytosanitary Requirements
May Affect You.
In defining the export certification rules as
they relate to shipments from the US to the EU and China, the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires treatment
of coniferous solid wood packing material. Keep checking back,
and we will keep you posted on the latest government regulations.
European Union (EU)
 Background:
The Commission of the European Communities has
adopted emergency measures requiring the treatment and marking
of all new and used coniferous (e.g. pine, spruce, fir) non-manufactured
wood packing material (NMWP) originating in the United States,
Canada, China, or Japan and departing on or after October 1, 2001,
to prevent the introduction of the pinewood nematode. Hardwoods
are exempt from the EU emergency measure. The pinewood nematode
is a microscopic eelworm which has caused extensive mortality
in pines in Japan and China.
European concern over the possible introduction
and establishment of the pinewood nematode has heightened over
the past couple of years after an outbreak in Portugal and interceptions
of the pinewood nematode in NMWP from the United States, Canada,
China, and Japan. The source of the outbreak in Portugal has not
been positively identified but packaging material is believed
to have been the likely pathway.
The EU emergency measures allow three treatment
options for coniferous NMWP: heat treatment (HT), fumigation or
chemical pressure impregnation (CPI). In all cases treated wood
must bear a mark indicating the organization that treated the
NMWP and the location of that organization. The EU requires that
the HT program be an official program with official marks.
Currently, hardwood is exempt from these requirements.
However, the United States has adopted a voluntary identification
stamp "NC-US" to identify it as such.
Shipments not meeting these requirements may
be quarantined or rejected by the recipient nation, upon arrival.
We can manufacture your pallets to meet the EU requirement for
all goods shipped to the European Union.
Larson Pallet Company has selected the heat
treatment option for our products and fully comply with the EU
HT program and are audited on a regular basis. We provide the
appropriate "no bugs" stamps to ensure customs compliance.
China
 Background:
In the fall of 1999, the government of the People's
Republic of China established requirements concerning the importation
of coniferous solid wood packing material. This was in response
to China's desire to prevent the introduction of exotic pests,
especially the pinewood nematode. APHIS, the US governmental agency
charged with implementing these requirements created a certificate
to allow the exporter of goods to attest to the fact that coniferous
material had been heat treated by being subject to a minimum a
core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes. On December 27, 1999
APHIS published an interim rule requiring the certificate.
Shipments not meeting these requirements may
be quarantined or rejected by the government of China, upon arrival.
We can manufacture your pallets to meet the APHIS requirement
for shipment of goods to the People's Republic Of China.
Larson Pallet Company has selected the heat
treatment option for our products and fully comply with the People's
Republic of China HT program and are audited on a regular basis.
We provide the appropriate documentation and paperwork to ensure
customs compliance.
For more information on the phytosanitary requirements
for China, click here.
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