Vol. 13 Issue 1  Spring 2005

Don't Be Confused - Not All Heat-Treated Stamps Are Compliant!

If you are not familiar with the new rules requiring treatment of solid wood packaging materials (SWPM), it could lead to a major and costly problem. The International Standard of Phytosanitary Measures #15 (ISPM 15) requires that coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) packaging materials are either heat-treated or fumigated. Pallets and other SWPM meeting the requirements must have the certification logo stamp, which Packnet can provide.

Do not be confused about the heat-treated stamp. In order to be compliant, SWPM must be manufactured by a certified facility such as Packnet. There are basically two components to this process. First, the heat treatment of raw materials is normally done at the mills. The lumber is then marked with an HT stamp (see photos 2, 3 and 4 for examples). Secondly, lumber that is cut and used in the manufacturing of wooden pallets, boxes, crates, and bracing requires the IPPC approved stamp, indicating that the packaging is compliant with ISPM 15 (see photo 1). Foreign inspectors will be looking for the IPPC stamp, not the mill stamp. If your packaging is not compliant, an importer's government can return the shipment to the exporter, quarantine and fumigate it at the receiving port, or strip the packaging, repackage the goods and burn the original package material. In Finland, an exporter was charged $10,000 just to have his packaging burned.

Simply buying and using HT materials does NOT meet compliance with ISPM 15 requirements! To ensure that you use compliant wood packaging products call Packnet at 952-944-9124 or 507-333-2821.

Read the ISPM 15 regulatory update below in this issue for more information.

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Packnet is familiar with the entire line of Cortect products and can recommend the right products for your specific needs.

ISPM 15 Regulatory Update as of February 28th, 2005

Reprinted by permission from Timber Products Inspection

Countries with implementation changes since last update (January 12, 2005):

China: The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIS) announced they will be implementing their new WPM regulation January 1, 2006. China will also start accepting the ISPM 15 mark in lieu of the HT certificate (APHIS PPQ 553) effective immediately.

Summary information for countries that have begun implementation or announced plans to implement ISPM 15:

New Zealand: April 16, 2005
Australia: September 1, 2004: Bark-free + packaging declaration for ISPM 15 compliant WPM, 21-day rule does not apply.
Nigeria: September 30, 2004
India: November 1, 2004: Phytosanitary certificate required only for WPM not ISPM 15 compliant.
Costa Rica: January 1, 2005
South Africa: January 1, 2005
European Union: March 1, 2005: WPM already in circulation or in storage within the EU is not required to be treated and makred until Dec. 31. 2007.
Switzerland: March 1, 2005
Chile: June 1, 2005
Philippines: June 1, 2005: Partial enforcement starting January 1, 2005, WPM must be treated, but marking not required.
South Korea: June 1, 2005: HT only for softwood packaging.
U.S.: September 16, 2005: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004; exemption granted to Canada.
Canada: September 16, 2005: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004; exemption granted to U.S.
Mexico: September 16, 2005: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004.
Brazil: September 16, 2005
Colombia: September 16, 2005
Guatemala: September 16, 2005
Turkey: January 1, 2006: Variation: Debarked WPM.
China: January 1, 2006: Variation: MB fumigation of softwood packaging must be 24-hours.

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 degrees C 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 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.