The FAO International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No 15 on Guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in international trade contains phytosanitary measures in respect of movement of wood packaging material in the form of packing cases, crates, drums, pallets, etc. This is aimed at reducing the risk of introduction and spread of quarantine pests associated with wood packaging materials in use in international trade.

The reason for this decision is that the Pine Wood Nematode has been shown to be a growing threat to the forests of Europe. New discoveries of this dangerous pest have been made in wood packaging originating in Canada, the USA, Japan and China. The Asian Longhorned Beetle, which damages deciduous trees, has also proved a threat in the USA as well as Europe. This beetle has been found in packaging manufactured from deciduous timber in China.

EUROPE
In Europe, European Union Member States must adopt and publish, by 30 June 2004 at the latest, the necessary laws, regulations and administrative provisions. They must apply these provisions from 1 July 2004.

The Directive from the European Union stipulates that the wood of conifers, except that of Thuja l., in the form of packing cases, crates, drums, pallets and box pallets, originating in Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the USA must be stripped of its bark, must be free from grub holes larger than 3 mm diameter, and must have a moisture content (expressed as a percentage of dry matter) of less than 20%, achieved at the time of manufacture.

NORTH AMERICA
The USA originally targeted January 1, 2004 for implementing the IPPC standards but has now adjusted this to April or May 2004, and will start issuing notices of non-compliance in January.

All crates IMPORTED into the United States, from other nations, must be constructed using heat treated wood products. These regulations will be similar to those already in use for American wood products (crates) exported from the United States into EU countries, Japan, China, etc. It may take months, or even several years for these rules to become established.

Canada is implementing a new policy directive on January 2nd, 2004. This policy change was required to harmonize Canada's import regulations with the new International Standard ISPM. Canada, the US and Mexico will coordinate the phase-in of the International Standard. Canada may release non-compliant wood packaging materials accompanying shipment to destination on detention, pending inspection and subsequent release or treatment.

China has introduced requirements over and beyond the standard - health certificates on all dispatches. North America, the EU and other countries introducing the standard during 2004 will not be making this requirement. The intention is for the standard's marking requirement to replace health certificates.
For more information:

www.ippc.int
www.aphis.usda.gov

THE RULES IN BRIEF

The standard covers both coniferous and deciduous wood, and practically all types of wooden packaging materials. Exceptions
are chipboard, plywood and other forms of wood manufactured using gluing, high temperatures or pressure. Note that if even one
single piece of untreated wood is included, it must be processed, approved and marked.

• Timber must be processed, initially by heat treatment (HT) according to a specified time and temperature schedule, to guarantee that the heart of the timber has been heated up to at least 56°C for 30 minutes.
• Kiln drying (KD) to at least 56°C for 30 minutes is approved.
• Gas treatment using methyl bromide (MB) is an alternative for countries lacking the facilities for heat treatment.
• Timber must be debarked (DB).
• All sections of packaging must be processed and marked.
  
• Timber must be marked according to a specified model .