Canada to start implementing ISPM NO. 15 in January 2004

As a member of the International Plant Protection Convention, South Africa has to comply with the obligations and responsibilities of the Convention in terms of plant health regulations. A new International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 - "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade" has been internationally accepted. These guidelines will be a requirement for the importation of solid wood packaging material into various countries, including South Africa.

Thus far, the United States of America, the European Union and Canada have communicated their wood packaging requirements that are in line with ISPM No. 15.  There will be a six-month phase-in period starting January 2004 and ending in June 2004. The USA, Canada and Mexico will coordinate the phasing-in of the ISPM No. 15 and have agreed on April/May as their target date for compliance. 

However, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency indicated that wood packaging materials entering Canada during the phasing-in period must be treated in accordance with their specifications (Appendix 1 of D-98-08), and accompanied by a document officially endorsed by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the country producing the wood packaging material. The D-98-08 document contains specific entry requirements for wood packaging materials entering Canada from all areas other than continental United States that are in line with ISPM treatments, which are as follows: 

Heat Treatment (HT) determines that wood packaging material should be heated with specific time-temperature schedule that achieves a minimum wood core temperature of 56°C for a minimum of 30 minutes. Kiln-drying (KD), chemical pressure impregnation (CPI), or other treatments may be considered HT treatments to the extent that these meet the HT specifications. Heat treatment is to be indicated by the mark HT.   

Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation for wood packaging material means that the material must be fumigated with methyl bromide and the treatment is indicated by the mark MB. The minimum standard for methyl bromide fumigation treatment is indicated in Annex I of ISPM 15 and requires that temperature should not be less than 10°C and minimum time exposure should be 16 hours.   

South Africa is currently putting the required certified marking system in place. Registrations are underway in preparation for the implementation of the guidelines. In the meantime, exporters with consignments destined for Canada must provide details regarding the nature of the consignment, type of solid wood packaging material and the treatment applied to the wood packaging material. The date of treatment must also be submitted and all information forwarded to any of the following regional offices of the Department of Agriculture: 

Strict enforcement of the ISPM No. 15 will begin late in 2004 as soon as all the relevant legislation is in place. The European Union has notified that it will implement ISPM No.15 from 1 July 2004. 

Information regarding the registration of service providers for wood packaging material treatments will be available on the national Department of Agriculture website (http://www.nda.agric.za/docs/npposa/default.htm). 

Concerned parties who have any questions or need any advice are welcome to contact the Department of Agriculture, Directorate Plant Health:

Mr Mike Holtzhausen at ++27 12 319 6001

Ms Alice Baxter at ++27 12 319 6114

Mr Mohammed Hossain at ++27 12 319 6295