U.S. Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services says it will not impose national standard based on ISPM-15 regulations for domestic movements of wooden packaging

Alison Gallant

LOS ANGELES , August 17, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – The U.S. Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services sent a letter to wood packaging industry members saying that it would not seek to issue a national standard based on the ISPM-15 wood treatment regulations for domestic movements of wood packaging material (WPM), Packaging Europe reported Aug. 18.

The government agency said the connection between wooden packaging and pest transfer could not be established with certainty. The agency added that it would, however, continue to study issues relating to wood packaging and its potential perils.

A U.S. trade group, The National Wooden Packaging & Container Association, accused the agency of sending mixed messages. On the one hand the agency has asserted there is no direct link between pest transfer and wooden packaging, but on the other hand the agency has taken actions to limit the use of wooden packaging.

The U.K.’s Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation is a member of the European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers, which is conferring with the European Commission over ISPM-15 issues. John Dye, president of TIMCON, said developments surrounding the adoption of ISPM-15 are being closely watched as these decisions have enormous implications for the industry.

The primary source of this article is Packaging Europe, Norwich, England, Aug. 17, 2011.

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