 ISPM 15 changes deferred to 2010
August 1st 2009
The timber pallets and
packaging sector has been
granted additional time to
adapt to changes proposed
to the ISPM 15 regime in
Europe, after a successful
submission to the European
Commission by the European
Federation of Wooden Pallet
and Packaging
Manufacturers (FEFPEB).
The plans will see the
extension of current ISPM 15
controls for the heat
treatment and marking of
timber pallets and packaging
being exported from Portugal
to cover all timber pallets and
packaging that leave the
country, including products
from other member states.
The European Commission
had initially ruled the new
controls – proposed due to
the spread of pinewood
nematode in Portugal –
would be implemented by
June 16th. However, FEFPEB
lobbied for this date to be
postponed in order to
minimise disruption to trade
and to allow suppliers of
wooden pallets and
packaging to begin building
up a critical mass of ISPM 15
certified products in
Portugal. As a result, the
introduction date has been
moved to January 1, 2010.
John Dye, president of the
Timber Packaging and
Pallet Federation
(TIMCON) said: "As an active
member of FEFPEB on its
ISPM 15 taskforce, TIMCON
has directly represented the
interests of the UK industry
on the international stage.
We are extremely pleased
that the European
Commission has agreed
with our view that the
timber packaging industry
requires more time to
implement extended ISPM
15 controls effectively.
"This augurs well for the
proposed further extension
of ISPM 15 to cover all
movements of timber pallets
and packaging across
national borders within the
EU. We are now working
with members to ensure that
the industry is fully prepared
for the introduction of the
extended controls for
Portugal on January 1,
2010."
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