FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
U.S. MISSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Last update: September 15, 2010

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EU Measures for Wood Packaging Material

The EU is concerned about the intro and spread of pests by imported Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) so it requires that all imported WPM comply with the FAO International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15).  ISPM15 lays down guidelines for WPM in international trade. The use of the mark also allows for WPM to maintain a paperless system.

According to EU Directive 2004/102/EC, all WPM entering the EU from all third countries must fulfill these requirements:

  • It must be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide in line with the ISPM15 procedures.

  • It must be officially marked with the ISPM15 stamp.

  • Since January 2009, all WPM imported into the EU has to be debarked.

Debarking

WPM has to be debarked when imported to the EU. However it may contain pieces of bark as long as the width is less than 3 cm regardless of the length. If the piece of bark is wider than 3 cm but the total area is less than 50 cm2 it also counts as debarked

ISPM15 Stamp

WPM from outside the EU must be marked with the official ISPM15 stamp.  This stamp is universally recognizable, non-language specific IPPC logo with three codes for the country, producer and treatment measure applied. Detailed information on the ISPM15 stamp and the treatments needed on the WPM can be found on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website.

 

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