Countries with implementation changes since last update (May 11, 2005):
Based on published regulations by the countries below, the following are now or soon will be enforcing ISPM 15:
Bolivia: July 23, 2005
Venezuela: June 1, 2005
Brazil: Previously listed September 2005, but now say “upon publication in Official Journal” with no date listed according to their WTO notification. NWPCA will send an alert when Brazil publishes in their “Official Journal.”
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)
Bolivia: July 23, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM)
Brazil: No date -- awaiting publication of date in Official Journal.
Canada: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004; exemption granted to U.S.)
Chile: June 1, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM)
China: January 1, 2006 (Variation: MB fumigation for softwood packaging now allowed, but must use the 24-hour treatment schedule.)
Colombia: September 16, 2005
Costa Rica: January 1, 2005
Ecuador: April 26, 2004
European Union: March 1, 2005 (See special conditions below)
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 (Variation: Bark-free WPM)
Nigeria: September 30, 2004
Panama: February 17, 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 now allowed, but must use the 24-hour treatment schedule.)
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)
Venezuela: June 1, 2005
European Union (EU)
The European Union began enforcement of ISPM-15 March 1, 2005. The E.U. deferred for a year their debarking and bark-free specifications (see dunnage exception below), but claim they will present technical justification for the additional requirements and begin enforcement March 2006. The E.U. has some variations that need to be clarified:
Marking: Until December 31, 2007 the E.U. will accept all previously recognized marks for heat treatment (HT, “no-bug” logo, and ISPM 15 mark). For fumigation, however, they will only 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 E.U. 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 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.
To the best of NWPCA's knowledge, NWPCA E-News: International Wood Packaging Requirements contains current information from government sources on International Wood Packaging Requirements as of the date of publication. NWPCA does not warrant or assume any legal liability for the accuracy or completeness of such information. |
