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ISPM
15 Solid Wood Packaging Update
As of
August 5, 2008
Countries with implementation changes since last update
(March 3, 2008):
Cuba: Proposed date of implementation is October 1, 2008
Taiwan:
Will enforce ISPM 15 on January 1, 2009 (instead of July 2008)
Canada: Here is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
statement released July 24, 2008 regarding the termination of
ISPM 15 exemption between Canada and the US:
Consultation on the Proposed Termination of the ISPM No. 15
Exemption for Wood Packaging Material (WPM) Moving Between
Canada and the U.S.
The Canadian
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
are considering implementation of the International Standard for
Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15 for wood packaging material
(WPM) circulating between Canada and the U.S. in order to
further prevent the introduction and spread of forest pests of
quarantine concern associated with WPM.
Currently,
wood packaging material arriving in Canada from countries other
than the U.S. must be heat-treated or fumigated and then marked
to indicate that it has been treated. Wood packaging may also be
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that specifies the
treatment used. To date, the movement of wood packaging between
Canada and the continental U.S. has been exempt from this
international standard.
Due to the
growing number of newly introduced pests of quarantine concern
in both countries, it is necessary to terminate the exemption
with respect to ISPM No. 15 for WPM. APHIS and CFIA are
developing a strategy which would involve a multi-year phase-in
period for an eventual full implementation of the ISPM No. 15
standard for WPM moving between the two countries. Ultimately,
all wood packaging moving between Canada and the United States
would require treatment in accordance to the ISPM No. 15
standard, marked with an officially approved mark, and meet the
requirements which have already been set for WPM moving in
international trade.
Industry,
stakeholders, exporters, importers, brokers, wood packaging
manufacturers and interest groups are encouraged to provide
comments on the proposed phase-in approach within the next 90
days to CFIA
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/tools/feedback/consult/ispmconsule.shtml.
Following the
consultation period CFIA will take into consideration all
comments and concerns, and will cooperate with APHIS to ensure a
joint approach before proceeding any further with announcing an
official start date and before finalizing a phase-in approach.
Proposed
phase-in approach:
Phase 1:
Will consist of a 12-month period to allow industry and
stakeholders to adjust their operations to comply with the ISPM
No. 15 standard for wood packaging material circulating between
Canada and the U.S.
Phase 2:
Following the first 12 months, there will be a one year period
where industry will receive notices (informed compliance) to
indicate that they will have to comply with the requirements in
the future. Notices will be delivered to importers/brokers in
connection with any cargo found to contain non-compliant wood
packaging material (WPM).
Phase 3:
A subsequent 8-month period of enforcement action on
non-compliant pallets and crates will follow Phase 2. Shipments
containing non-compliant WPM will not be allowed to enter
Canada. Importers/exporters with cargo containing other types of
non-compliant material (dunnage, spools, blocking and bracing)
will receive notices (informed compliance) to indicate they will
have to comply with the requirements in the future.
Phase 4:
At the beginning of the fourth phase, full enforcement will
commence on all articles of regulated WPM including dunnage
moving between the United States of America and Canada.
Shipments containing non-compliant WPM will be refused entry.
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