Anniversary of Full Implementation of Enforcement of ISPM 15 Wood Packaging Requirements — Effects Regulations For Importing/Exporting Goods into the United States

Portland, ME- On July 5, 2007 the U.S. has its one year anniversary of the full implementation of the final phase of the international standards criterion for importing and exporting wood packaging, known as ISPM 15. This rule states that on all regulated Wood Packaging Material (WPM) entering the United States must be appropriately treated and marked under the official program; developed and overseen by the National Plant Protection Organization.

With this, the United States joined an extensive and emerging list of countries, currently at 133 participants, requiring adherence to ISPM 15 Standards. U.S. exporters were urged to further research the regulations to avoid shipment delays or absolute refusal at their destination country. A complete listing of all participating countries and any additional tailored standards they may require, is available through the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NeLMA). The table summarizes information compiled from global sources, is kept current and available via subscription at www.NeLMA.org.

Under the regulations, importers and U.S. exporters using wood packaging must include certification by an authorized agency. The Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association serves as one of a select few with the authority to inspect all Wood Packaging Material leaving the U.S. bound for other countries that comply with the international ISPM 15 Standard.

The one-year anniversary of full enforcement of this standard is July 5, 2007. For the last year, all Wood Packaging Material was required to meet the import requirements and be free of timber pests before entering or transiting through the United States. Noncompliant regulated WPM has not been allowed to enter the country, and in some cases was destroyed or returned to the country of origin. Since a significant volume of imported goods arrive in wood crates and pallets, the full implementation of this regulation has had a significant effect on foreign importing of goods into the United States.

Compliance with ISPM 15 allows for two wood treatment options, Methyl Bromide (MB) Fumigation or Heat Treatment. With the MB treatment, the wood packaging material is fumigated with methyl bromide. Heat Treatment (HT) of wood packaging material must be heated in a schedule that achieves a minimum core temperature of 56ºC for a minimum of 30 minutes.

The only exception to this compliance is WPM of U.S. and Canadian origin moving between the two countries. Through a unilateral agreement, WPM traveling between the U.S. and Canada is exempt from the ISPM 15 compliance and marking requirements. The exception only pertains to WPM coming directly to the U.S. from Canada or directly to Canada from the U.S., and is wood harvested from these countries of origin.

For more information on inspecting Wood Packaging Material or to learn more about the ISPM 15 Standards for both importing and exporting, visit the NeLMA at www.NeLMA.org. The Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association established in 1933, is the rules writing agency for Eastern White Pine lumber and the grading authority for Eastern Spruce, Balsam Fir, Spruce Pine Fir species grouping, and other commercially important eastern softwood lumber species.

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Special Note: The ISPM 15 Update Chart is available for reprint for qualified media. In all other instances, this report is copyrighted and intended solely for use by the customers of the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association's ISPM 15 Compliance Inspection Program and Subscribers to NELMA's ISPM 15 Information Services. The table summarizes information compiled from global sources.

To obtain the most recent version, please contact Jeff Easterling at jeff@nelma.org or 207.829.6901