Insects spread across international boundaries has forced many countries to enact strict import requirements for pallets.

International Phytosanitary Regulation ISPM 15

On March 15, 2002 a UN treaty governing 150 plus nations defined the standards for wooden packaging, plan on implementing the requirement as early as January 1, 2004. These standards are to be fully implemented by all signatory countries by mid 2004 at the latest. The US, EU and GUS have adopted the regulation on July 1 2004. The following countries have already implemented the regulation.

Australia
As of June 1, 2004 Australia Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) began accepting HT marked solid wood packaging from the U.S. and will do so under existing standards until Dec 1, 2004 at which time they plan on finalizing implementation of ISPM-15. Their previous implementation target date was July 1, 2004, but they have delayed it to the end of the year.

Once ISPM-15 implementation goes into effect, all solid wood packaging will be subject to surveillance; it can then be determined whether non-compliant wood packaging will be treated at the port of entry, destroyed or turned back. The updated June 1 import regulation still requires paper certification of treatment information and retains the 21-day limit on wood packaging from treatment to containerization.

Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has set April 1, 2005, as its target date for strict enforcement of ISPM-15. Non-compliant wood packaging will be rejected and the cost involved is the responsibility of the shipper. All countries must comply and only the U.S. has been granted an exemption.

India
India's Ministry of Agriculture has changed its implementation date of ISPM-15 from June 1, 2004 to November 1, 2004. They also made it clear that a phytosanitary certificate is not required as long as the wood packaging is ISPM-15 treated and marked.

Philippines
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intent to adopt ISPM 15 and enforce it effective June 1, 2004.

Taiwan
Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine has notified WTO of their intent to change their import regulations for wood packaging based on IPPC standards. There was no proposed date of adoption and enforcement.

Brazil
In March 2004, Brazil’s Secretary for Plant and Animal Health Protection announced emergency requirements that began ISPM 15 implementation retroactively to January 2004.

China
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIS) has not decided when it will implement their new regulation for imported solid wood packaging. In discussions with APHIS, they indicated there would be an advance notice for implementation and a phase-in period. For now heat treatment with certification through APHIS is the only recognized method for softwood; hardwood is exempt but still requires certification (we recommend use of the NC-US voluntary mark).

European Union
The European Commission has announced (subject to final adoption scheduled for June) that all EU nations will implement ISPM 15 starting March 1, 2005. However, while the ISPM 15 does not require the debarking of wood packaging, the EU said in early draft language that it must be “stripped of its bark.” They have amended that condition somewhat and now state they will make a distinction between conditions where wood must be bark-free and where it must be debarked and will recognize FAO Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms definitions for those processes. It is unknown when specifics of those requirements will be determined.

Japan
Japan is no longer considering ISPM 15 in the foreseeable future.

Korea
The Korean National Plant Quarantine Service has published its rule adopting ISPM 15. They intend for their regulation to go into effect June 1, 2005. At this time, they will only accept heat treatment for coniferous wood; hardwood can be fumigated or heat treated.

Mexico
Mexico is going to release its final rule before the end of the year. However, they say Mexico’s import requirements for solid wood packaging will not be implemented until middle of 2005.

South Africa
Based on their WTO notification, the RSA Department of Agriculture will start implementing ISPM 15 on January 1, 2005.

Switzerland
Switzerland is the first non-EU member that has passed legislation adopting ISPM 15. They say implementation will start July 1, 2004.

United States
As of January 2004, APHIS began encouraging all importers to use ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging in anticipation of future implementation of the regulation. The final rule is expected to be released by the third quarter of 2004 with a one-year grace period before enforcement penalties are levied.

New Zealand New Zealand has fully implemented and is enforcing ISPM 15.

These regulations require that all wooden packaging must be heat-treated, fumigated, or made from special materials. If treated, the wood packaging must be stamped by a certified manufacture. Starting around January 2004 the following stamp will be used: