IPCC Seeks Comments on Draft Revised ISPM 15 for Wood Packaging Material

The draft revised ISPM 15 appears to be completely reworked, from beginning to end. Two draft changes are noted in this summary.

(The current ISPM No. 15, Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade was adopted by the IPPC in 2002 (and amended in 2006) and calls for affected wood packaging materials (WPM) to be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide (MB), and marked in a specific manner to certify treatment.)

Draft Revised ISPM 15 Would Require Debarking

According to Annex 1 of the draft, the removal of bark would be required to occur in addition to one of the other treatments (heat or fumigation).

(Small pieces of bark (1) less than 3 centimeters in width, regardless of the length, or (2) if greater than 3 centimeters in width, with a total surface area per piece of less than 50 square centimeters, would be allowed to remain after removal of the bark.)

The Use of Fumigant Other Than MB Would be Encouraged

The draft of Annex 1 also states that in accordance with an IPPC recommendation to replace or reduce the use of MB as a phytosanitary measure (due to its effect on the ozone layer), National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) would be encouraged to promote the use of alternative measures approved in this standard.

The draft also lists a number of factors that should be addressed in applying MB, such as the use of fans to ensure proper distribution of the fumigant, the proper product temperature, etc.

Comments on Draft ISPM 15 due September 30, 2008

The IPCC explains that the deadline for comments on the draft is September 30, 2008; however, comments are encouraged to be submitted before September 15, 2008.

NPPOs, Regional Plant Protection Organizations and relevant international organizations are invited to submit comments, as well as members of the public, who should channel their comments through the national official contact points for their respective countries.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/08/08 news, 08070820, for BP summary of CBP reminder that importers should ensure wood packaging materials are ISPM 15-compliant.

See ITT's Online Archives or 04/06/07 news, 07040605, for BP summary of CBP Guidelines for Liquidated Damages/Penalties on WPM.

See ITT's Online Archives or 006/04/07 news, 07060430, for BP summary of APHIS interim rule on 2006 Annex 1 amendment for ISPM 15)

Draft version of ISPM 15 (Draft 1/7, dated June 2008) available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/BinaryDownloaderServlet/202888_MC2008_Draft1_revise.doc?filename=1213877877873_MC2008_Draft1_revised_ISPM_15_numbered_manual.doc&refID=202888

IPCC notice announcing the draft is available for comments available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/CDSServlet?status=ND0yMDEwNDkuMjAyOTM4JjY9ZW4mMzM9bmV3cyYzNz1pbmZv

Guidelines for submitting comments on the draft ISPM available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/CDSServlet?status=ND0yMDEwNDkmNj1lbiYzMz1wdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMmMzc9a29zrelateds

Template for comments on draft ISPM 15 available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/BinaryDownloaderServlet/203037_Template_MC2008_Draf.doc?filename=1214901959858_Template_MC2008_Draft1_revised_ISPM15.doc&refID=203037

Current ISPM 15 (dated 2002, with 2006 modifications to Annex 1) available at https://www.ippc.int/servlet/BinaryDownloaderServlet/133703_ISPM15_2002_with_Ann.pdf?filename=1152091663986_ISPM_15_2002_with_Annex1_2006_E.pdf&refID=133703

BP Note

According to the Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS), the U.S. and the following 36 countries have implemented ISPM 15 or similar measures:

* Taiwan will implement ISPM 15 on January 1, 2009.

APHIS listing available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/country/index.shtml