Australia Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has put planned change to import documentation on hold until concerns can be addressed about new requirements.

ISPM 15 rev 2009

The Commision on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) approved amendments to the ISPM 15 April 2009. 

Australia Requirements for Wood Packaging

Australia has changed it requirements for wood packaging materials entering country.  Packaging and dunnage made from plywood/veneer/OSB must be declared as timber packaging and is subject to mandatory treatment (ISPM 15).  The proposed implementation date is August 1, 2009.  The US government is going to object to these requirements. See entire document at link above.

IPPC HT MARKS HAVE CHANGED

Annex 2 Revised ISPM 15 - Application of the mark.  This requirement states in part "The size, fort size, font types used, and position of the mark may vary, but its size must be sufficient to be both visible and legible to inspectors without the use of visual aid.  The mark must be rectangular or square in shape and contained within a border line with a vertical line separation the symbol from the code components.  To facilitate the use of stenciling, small gaps in border, the vertical line, and elsewhere among the components of the mark, may be present. No other information shall be contained within the border of the mark (emphasis added).  If additional marks (e.g. trademarks of the producers, logo of the authorizing body) are considered useful to protect the use of the mark on a national level, such information may be provided adjacent to but outside the border of the mark."  (ALSC)

Use of Non-Heat Treated Cross-outs

Interceptions of positive findings for live nematodes by foreign countries have been reported to APHIS and the ALS staff has investigated each finding to try to determine the reason heat treated wood package material labeled under the ALS program contained live nematodes. (continued on above link)

DEBARKING REQUIREMENTS TO CHANGE

The IPPC will implement its debarking requirements on July 1, 2009.  Debarking is defined based upon the proposed amendment to ISPM 15 (up to 3 cm wide unlimited length; if over 3 cm wide, credit card size). AHC Bulletin January 2009

US AND CANADA SET TO ELIMINATE ISPM 15 EXEMPTION

The U. S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Health Inspection Services (APHIS) and Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will phase in ISPM 15 compliance.  The drafted phase in period will be two years.  One year for industry preparation, six months informed compliance, six months of rejection of non-compliant wood packaging, and then full enforcement on all articles of regulated WPM entering US & Canada.

Quarantined Area (Emerald Ash Borer)

APHIS is expanding the quarantine in response to the destructive nature of this invasive plant pest and the significant threat it poses to the ash resource in our nation's forests and residential landscapes.

ISPM 15 compliant countries

Wood Packaging Material (WPM) Export Requirements by Country and International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packing Material in International Trade.