General Requirements

1. Non-Manufactured Wood Packing (NMWP), is defined as "wood packing other than that comprised wholly of wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, veneer, wood wool, etc., which has been created using glue, heat, and pressure or a combination thereof." For the purpose of the European Union' s emergency measures NMWP includes coniferous pallets, crating, packing blocks, drums, cases, load boards, pallet collars, skids, etc., but not dunnage.

2. According to the European Union, any Dunnage must be stripped of its bark, and shall be free from grub holes that are larger than 3 mm across, and shall have a moisture content of less than 20%.

3. Concerning import from NON-EUROPEAN countries only

Fumigation Requirements

1.Susceptible wood originating in Canada, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea or the USA:
+ wood has been heat treated or kiln dried to a minimum core temperature of 56 degree C for at least 30 minutes in an approved facility; or
+ wood has been pressure (impregnated) treated with an approved chemical in accordance with an officially recognized technical specification; or
+ wood has been fumigated with an approved chemical in accordance with an officially recognized technical specification.
+ All coniferous NMWP must also display a mark enabling the identification of the treatment facility and the location of the facility

Certification Requirements

1. Instead of a Phytosanitary Certificate or an industry issue certificate the wood must display an approved marking, enabling the identification of where and by whom the treatment has been carried out.

Requirements on Arrival in EU

Inspection on arrival in EU

1. Inspections are carried out by the plant health inspection services of the Member States on non-manufactured wood packaging (NMWP) entering the EU from Canada, China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and the USA.

Actions undertaken on the Interception / Detection of Organisms / Contaminants

1.When non-compliant wood packing material is found:
+ treatment to eliminate all pests of concern (normally, this is by fumigation with methyl bromide); or
+ destruction (normally by burning, occasionally by deep burial).

2.In serious cases, usually where a live infestation is detected and there is a high risk of accidental escape of pests, re-export out of the EU may be ordered. This, for practical reasons, would apply to both the relevant goods as well as the affected NMWP.

ISPM 15

1. Date of implementation: all shipments arriving European Union (EU) from 1st March 2005 onwards will implement the ISPM 15 standard for wooden packaging material.

This means that all wooden packaging material must be free of bark, fumigated and provided with an identification mark. Please note that fail to comply the requirement, can be impounded and cargo will be destroyed.

2. Remarks:
+ Countries involved: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Channel islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Southern States, Germany, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Monaco, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Ireland, Ireland North, Isle of man, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Martinique, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Saint Pierre, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom