ISPM 15 Update, October 23, 2006 Countries with implementation changes since last update (August 16, 2006): Based on WTO notification by the countries below, the following are now or soon will be enforcing ISPM 15: Japan: April 1, 2007 The following countries have incorporated the 24-hr methyl bromide fumigation schedule in their requirements for imported packaging: Canada: Effective August 1, 2006 (Exemption still granted to the U.S.) China: Implementing NOW Summary information for countries that have begun implementation or announced plans to implement ISPM-15: Argentina: January 1, 2006 Australia: September 1, 2004 (Variations to ISPM-15: Bark-free + packing declaration for ISPM-15 compliant WPM, 21-day rule does not apply); January 1, 2006 will add wood packaging used in break bulk and air cargo to their ISPM-15 enforcement. Bulgaria: January 24, 2006 Bolivia: July 23, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM) Brazil: June 1, 2005 Canada: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation; exemption granted to U.S.) Chile: June 1, 2005 (Variation: Debarked WPM) China: January 1, 2006 Colombia: September 16, 2005 Costa Rica: March 19, 2006 Dominican Republic: July 1, 2006 Ecuador: September 20, 2005 (Date change: previously April 26, 2004) Egypt: October 1, 2005 European Union: March 1, 2005  Guatemala: September 16, 2005 Honduras: February 25, 2006 India: November 1, 2004 (Variation: Phytosanitary certificate required only for WPM not ISPM-15 compliant) Indonesia: No published date of implementation (Based on draft regulation, WPM must be debarked and a packing declaration will be required) Japan: April 1, 2007 Jordan: November 17, 2005 Lebanon: March 26, 2006 Mexico: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation since January 1, 2004) New Zealand: April 16, 2003 (Variation: Bark-free WPM) Nicaragua: No published date of implementation Nigeria: September 30, 2004 Oman: December 2006 Panama: Not yet enforcing ISPM-15 Paraguay: June 28, 2005 Peru: March 1, 2005 Philippines: June 1, 2005 Seychelles: March 1, 2006 South Africa: January 1, 2005 (Variation: 24-MB schedule for softwood packaging) South Korea: June 1, 2005 (Variation: MB fumigation for softwood packaging must use the 24-hour treatment schedule.) Switzerland: March 1, 2005 Syria: April 1, 2006 Trinidad & Tobago: September 15, 2005 Turkey: January 1, 2006 (Variation: Debarked WPM) Ukraine: October 1, 2005 U.S.: September 16, 2005 (Note: Phase-in implementation; exemption granted to Canada -- must provide import declaration that shipment derived from trees harvested in U.S. or Canada -- import lumber must be ISPM-15) Venezuela: June 1, 2005 Vietnam: June 5, 2005 ISPM-15 Requirements Compliance with ISPM-15 for wood packaging materials allows for two treatment options: Heat Treatment (HT): Wood packaging material should be heated in a schedule that achieves a minimum core temperature of 56ºC for a minimum of 30 minutes. The American Lumber Standards Committee administers the U.S. certification program for heat treatment. Methyl Bromide (MB) Fumigation: The wood packaging material should be fumigated with methyl bromide. NWPCA has been tasked by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to administer the fumigation program. NOTE: ISPM 15 requirements apply to all species of coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) packaging materials. To the best of NWPCA's knowledge, NWPCA E-News: International Wood Packaging Requirements contains current information from government sources on International Wood Packaging Requirements as of the date of publication. NWPCA does not warrant or assume any legal liability for the accuracy or completeness of such information.