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IPPC Seeks Comments on Draft Revision to ISPM 15 on WPM, Etc.

July 13, 2011 by Elizabeth Parker|International Sources

On June 20, 2011, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat announced the opening of the 2011 member consultation period on draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), including the approved treatments for Wood Packaging Material in ISPM 15.

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IPPC Seeks Comment on Seven Draft ISPMs

The standards approved for the 2011 member consultation include:

  1. Draft revision to Annex 1 of ISPM 15:2009. Approved treatments associated with wood packaging material (2006-011) (See below)
  2. Draft amendments to ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms (1994-001)
  3. Draft revision to Supplement no. 1. Guidelines on the interpretation and application of the concept of official control for regulated pests (Not widely distributed) of ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms (2005-008)
  4. Draft annex 4 to ISPM 11:2004. Pest risk analysis for plants as quarantine pests and consequential changes in core text of ISPM 11:2004 (2005-001)
  5. Draft Annex to ISPM 27:2006. Trogoderma granarium (2004-006)
  6. Draft Annex to ISPM 28:2007. Vapour heat treatment of Cucumis melo var. reticulatus for Bactroceracucurbitae (2006-110)
  7. Draft Annex to ISPM 28:2007. Heat treatment of wood packaging material using dielectric heat (2007-114)

ISPM 15 Annex I Focuses on Approved Treatments for WPM

In 2005, the U.S. and other countries committed to enforce the ISPM 15 entitled, "Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade." ISPM 15 calls for certain WPM to be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked in a certain way certifying treatment. The IPPC seeks comments on approved treatments associated with WPM found in the draft revision of Annex 1 of the draft ISPM 15.

Annex I of ISPM 15 includes information on the use of (i) debarked wood for treatments; (ii) heat treatment of WPM in accordance with a specific time-temperature schedule; (iii) fumigation of WPM with methyl bromide; and (iv) possible alternative treatments. The 2009 version of the ISPM 15 is available here.

(The U.S. and Canada have provided each other mutual ISPM 15 exceptions for their WPM; however, the countries have recently been working to terminate these exceptions and begin implementation of the ISPM 15 for each others' WPM. See ITT's Online Archives or 04/18/11 and 02/18/11 news, 11041826 and 11021807, for BP summaries.)

IPPC Has Launched New Online Draft ISPM Comment System for Members

The IPPC Secretariat has launched the new Online Comment System (OCS) for the 2011 member consultation period that will end on September 30, 2011, regarding draft ISPMs. All seven of the above draft ISPMs have been uploaded into the system in and are open for comment. Access to the OCS is available here. Draft ISPMs are available here.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/17/04, 09/20/04, and 09/23/04 news, 04091710, 04092020, and 04092320, for BP summaries of APHIS' 2005 final rule implementing ISPM 15 for countries other than Canada.)