ISPM 15 Solid Wood Packaging Update (Jan 26, 2006) Countries with implementation changes since last update (Sept 19, 2005): Based on published regulations by the countries below, the following are now or soon will be enforcing ISPM 15: Argentina: January 1, 2006 - start of full implementation (previous June 1, 2005 dates was start of phase-in implementation) Brazil: June 1, 2005 (No date was previously posted) Costa Rica: March 19, 2006 (Date change: previously Jan 1, 2005) Jordan: November 17, 2005 Panama: not yet enforcing ISPM 15 Paraguay: June 28, 2005 Trinidad & Tobago: September 15, 2005 China: New regulation took effect last January 1, 2006 on arrival basis (not shipment date) of WPM. Although not a requirement, it is highly recommended to make a statement in Chinese language on the shipping invoice "WPM are ISPM 15-compliant," "WPM are exempt from ISPM 15" or "There is no WPM in this shipment." European Union: European Commission has voted to again suspend their debarking requirement until January 1, 2009. They have stated they will review the IPPC progress on the technical justification for debarking in September 2007. Summary information for countries that have begun implementation or announced plans to implement ISPM-15: Argentina: June 1,2006 Australia: September 1, 2004 (Variations to ISPM-15: Bark-free + packing declaration for ISPM-15 compliant WPM, 21-day rule does not apply); January 1, 2006 will add wood packaging used in break bulk and air cargo to their ISPM-15 enforcement. Bolivia: July 23, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM) Brazil: June 1, 2005 Canada: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation; exemption granted to U.S.) Chile: June 1, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM) China: January 1, 2006 (Variation: MB fumigation for softwood packaging must use the 24-hour treatment schedule. ALSO: Although not a requirement, it is highly recommended to make a statement in Chinese language on the shipping invoice "WPM are ISPM 15-compliant," "WPM are exempt from ISPM 15" or "There is no WPM in this shipment.") Colombia: September 16, 2005 Costa Rica: March 19, 2006 Ecuador: September 20, 2005 (Date change: previously April 26, 2004) Egypt: October 1, 2005 European Union: March 1, 2005 Guatemala: September 16, 2005 India: November 1, 2004 (Variation: Phytosanitary certificate required only for WPM not ISPM-15 compliant) Jordan:November 17, 2005 Mexico: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004) New Zealand: April 16, 2003 (Variation: Bark-free WPM) Nigeria: September 30, 2004 Panama: Not yet enforcing ISPM 15 Paraguay: June 28, 2005 Peru: March 1, 2005 Philippines: June 1, 2005 South Africa: January 1, 2005 (Variation: 24-MB schedule for softwood packaging) South Korea: June 1, 2005 (Variation: MB fumigation for softwood packaging must use the 24-hour treatment schedule.) Switzerland: March 1, 2005 Trinidad & Tobago: September 15, 2005 Turkey: January 1, 2006 (Variation: Debarked WPM) U.S.: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation; exemption granted to Canada -- must provide import declaration that shipment derived from trees harvested in U.S. or Canada -- import lumber must be ISPM-15) Venezuela: June 1, 2005 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 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. NOTE: ISPM 15 requirements apply to all species of coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) packaging materials. Note: You are receiving this industry news alert because you are a member of NWPCA or a subscriber to NWPCA E-News for Pallet Users.