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Wood Packaging Material (WPM)

Particular attention must be taken to ensure that, where the wooden pallets or wood packaging has been employed, for shipments entering the USA and the EC, they comply with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM-15). ISPM-15 is being progressively implemented throughout the world and several countries including the EC nations have adopted the standard and many more have signalled their intension to introduce the requirement to their national regulations. Countries which have signed up to ISPM-15 are entitled to refuse entry at their frontiers to goods on wooden pallets, in crates, spools or any other wood packaging unless it has been treated, marked and certified in accordance with the regulations. Below is a copy of the marking that should appear on all wooden pallets and wood packaging to illustrate that it has been treated in accordance with the regulations. The mark should at minimum include the:- 

  • symbol
  • ISO two letter county code followed by a unique number assigned by the NPPO to the
  • producer of the wood packaging material, who is responsible for ensuring appropriate,
  • wood is used and properly marked.
  • IPPC abbreviation according to Annex 1 for the approved measure used (rg HT, MB).
 NPPOs, producers or suppliers may at their discretion add control number or other information used for identifying specific lots.  Where debarking is required the letters DB should be added to the abbreviation of the approved measure.  Other information may also be included, provided it is not confusing, misleading or deceptive. Markings should be:- 
  • according to the model shown above
  • legible
  • permanent and not transferable
  • placed in a visible location, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the
  • article being certified.
 The use of red or orange should be avoided since these colours are used in the labelling of dangerous goods. Recycled, remanufactured or repaired wood packaging material should be re-certified and re-marked.  All components of such material should have been treated.