EU Implements ISPM 15 for Wood Packaging Material (Postpones Debarking, "DB" Marking Requirements)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued an update that continues to state effective March 1, 2005, the European Union (EU) is requiring all newly assembled, repaired or recycled unprocessed raw wood packaging materials (hardwood and softwood), including dunnage, entering the EU to be either heat treated or fumigated and officially marked under ISPM 15.
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(Wood packing materials (WPM), including dunnage, less than 6 mm and processed wood produced from glue, heat, and pressure or a combination thereof (i.e. Oriented Strand Board, plywood, etc.) are exempt from treatment and marking.)
The update also continues to state that effective March 1, 2005, for hardwood and softwood dunnage, the EU will allow as a temporaryalternative to the above, that dunnage meet the requirements of being bark-free and free from signs of live pests.
After December 31, 2007, APHIS states the EU will require all dunnage to be treated and marked. APHIS sources note that it is expected by that time technology will be in place to mark each foot of each piece of dunnage, or certain agencies, organizations, or companies would have authority to stamp pieces of dunnage during packing or loading.
(APHIS sources state that "dunnage" refers to individual pieces of loose, unmanufactured wood used for blocking and bracing cargo.)
Debarking and "DB" Marking Requirements Postponed Until March 1, 2006
The APHIS update no longer states that all WPM entering the EU is required to be debarked and marked "DB."
According to a Foreign Agricultural Service notice on EU measures for WPM, on February 28, 2005, the EC's Agricultural Committee formally agreed to delay the implementation of the debarking and "DB" marking requirements for one year, until March 1, 2006.
An EU Council document states that ISPM 15 allows for such debarking and "DB" marking subject to "technical justification;" however, as third countries, including the U.S., have asked the European Community to consider alternative measures for achieving the same goal, research will be conducted on the technical aspects of debarking wood, in particular the efficiency of "pest risk reduction" of debarking in addition to treatment measures.
(The EU and other countries, including the U.S., have committed to enforce ISPM 15 entitled, "Guidelines for Regulating WPM in International Trade." ISPM 15 calls for regulated WPM to be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked in a certain way certifying treatment.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/22/05 news, 05022210 for BP summary of most recent notice on this issue. See ITT's Online Archives or 02/10/05 news, 05021015, for BP summary of various countries' implementation and enforcement of ISPM 15 treatment and marking requirements for WPM.)
APHIS Update (dated 03/01/05) available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/swp/eunmwp.html
FAS Update (dated 03/01/05) available at www.useu.be/agri/woodpack.html
Proposed delay for debarking/"DB" marking (dated 02/09/05), available at http://register.consilium.eu.int/pdf/en/05/st06/st06215.en05.pdf
European Commission Directive 2004/102/EC on ISPM 15, etc. (dated 10/05/04) available at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_309/l_30920041006en00090025.pdf
BP Note
According to APHIS sources, the EU is expected to enforce the March 1, 2005 ISPM 15 requirements by date of entry.