Japan Shippers' Council

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE OF ISPM NO. 15
 
March 1, 2004
 

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) are adopted by contracting parties to the IPPC, and by FAP Members that are not contracting parties, through the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures.  ISPMs are the standards, guidelines and recommendations recognized as the basis for phytosanitary measures applied by Members of the WTO under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.  Non-contracting parties to the IPPC are encouraged to observe these standards.

Recently, United States, Canada, Mexico, European Union, Korea, China and Switzerland have notified the World Trade Organization of their intent to adopt measures in line with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM No. 15) on Wooden Packaging Materials used for International Trade.

Penalty of the violation may end up with destruction of the packages, rejection of entry or ship back of the entire cargoes to the origin.  Exporting countries have to set up the programs of heat treatment or fumigation and the marking of the wooden packing materials used for International Trade.

Notes:
WTO Notification: The date on which SPS Notification was submitted to WTO for the intention to change the quarantine regulations.
Rule Announced: The date on which the new rule in line with the ISPM No. 15 was or will be announced.
Effective: The effective date of the newly implemented rule.  Certain countries are setting up the adjustment period.
Treatment: The methods of treating the wooden packaging materials.  Heat treatment is shown as HT and Methyl Bromide Fumigation as MB.
PN Infested Country: The country where Pinewood Nematode - Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is recognized.  Some countries only admit HT.
Remarks: Some countries have strict rules for the marking requirements of the Dunnages used in the vessels or in the containers.

 
Country

Useful Website		 WTO Notification

Rule Announced		 Effective

Adjustment Period		 Treatment

PN Infested Country		 Remarks
USA 

www.aphis.usda.gov		 June 6, 2003  

Final Rule will be announced around May 2004		 During 1 year period from publication date unmarked WPM will not be rejected, but delays at the port of entry may occur for inspections. HT MB 


Not Specified		 After the pbulication date, unmarked WPM will be notifies to US Importers and to NPPO of exporting country
Canada 

www.inspection.gc.ca		 March 18, 2003    3rd Revision in October 2003 January 2, 2004
NAFTA countries will take a uniform action under North American Plant Portection Organization agreement.		 HT  MB


Not Specified		 Very strict rules for the markings on Dunnages in vessels or in the containers.
Mexico 

www.economia.gov.mx		 December 10, 2003

Publicizes on Gazette November 26, 2003

6 months after publication 
(possibly June 2004) 

NAFTA countries will take a uniform action under the NAPPOR agreement

 HT (incl. KD, CPI) only    


MB not accepted		 Marking by Stamp or brand only and Labels or Seals are not accepted.  Markings are necessary on Dunnages but not too strict.
EU


www.wto.org/index.htm  www.forestry.gov.uk		 November 10, 2003 

Each Member country to make the regulatory amendments on existing phytosanitary rules.		 July 1, 2004 


Adjustment period is unknown		 HT  MB   


HT MB should be OK		 The movement of the new member countries joining EU from May 2004 is unknown.
China      


www.aqsiq.gov.cn		 December 8, 2003 


Final Rule will be publicized in March 2003.		 Not Decided      


Adjustment period is unknown		 HT  MB    


HT only for PN infested countries		 PN Infested Country

Japan, Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, US, Canada, Mexico, Portugal
New Zealand 


www.maf.govt.nz		 April 29, 2003  


April 16, 2003		 New Zealand has its own regulations but also is accepting the wooden packages in compliant with ISPM No. 15 requirements. HT  MB      


Not Specified		 N Z and Australia have very strict regulations on wooden packages and require certificate accompany the cargo
Korea   


www.npqs.go.kr		 July 11, 2003 


December 23, 2003		 June 1, 2004   


Adjustment period is unknown		 HT  MB        


HT only for PN infested countries		 PN Infested Country           

Japan, China, Taiwan, US, Canada, Mexico, Portugal
Switzerland 


www.admin.ch/ch		 February 5, 2004


Rules in French		 July 1, 2004     


Adjustment period is unknown		 HT  MB                  Non EU Member

Rule is basically in line with the ISPM No. 15
Updated on March 1, 2004