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CWPCP Registered Participant (ISPM No.15) - CFIA web site

ISPM NO. 15

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES NO. 15

D-13-01 is the CFIA policy that describes the Canadian Wood Packaging Certification Program (CWPCP), a certification system for facilities wishing to produce wood packaging material according to the provisions of International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM NO. 15); Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade.

Wood packaging is essential for trade and the movement and protection of cargo and containerized goods. Historically, these products were commonly produced from non-processed wood which lacked sufficient manufacturing or treatment to remove pests present in the wood.

In March of 2002, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) adopted a wood packaging standard; Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade, (International Standards for Phytosanitary* Measures [ISPM] No. 15). This standard recognizes the plant health risks associated with wood packaging and outlines approved phytosanitary measures to control the spread of pests and plant disease associated with wood packaging. The standard recommends that all wood packaging should be treated.

To facilitate trade, treated wood packaging must be marked in a manner to identify the approved treatment and to provide traceability to the country of origin and the producing facility.

The CWPCP is a certification system that allows Canadian wood packaging facilities and treatment facilities to build wood packaging products that meet the provisions of ISPM No. 15. The final product will be marked with a Canadian wood packaging certification mark. This mark will be unique to each registered facility.

Regulated Products

Regulated products include all non-processed wood packaging and loose wood dunnage constructed from coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) wood, or combinations. This includes wood crating, packaging blocks, drums, cases, load boards, pallet collars, and skids which can be present in almost any exported shipment, including shipments which would not normally be the target of Phytosanitary inspection.

Veneer peeler cores, whether used directly or in the manufacturing of wood packaging materials, are also regulated and must be heat treated in accordance with requirements and marked with the ISPM No. 15 wood packaging mark.

Use of Debarked Wood in the Manufacturing of Wood Packaging Materials

All wood packaging material must be made of wood that has been debarked.

Products Not Regulated

Wood packaging or loose wood dunnage produced 100% from processed wood - Plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or veneer that were created using glue, heat and pressure or a combination.

Wood packaging material made from sawdust, wood wool, wood shavings and those made entirely from thin pieces of wood (6mm or less in thickness).

Wood components permanently affixed to freight vessels and containers are exempt.

NOTE: Certain countries may have specific phytosanitary import requirements in addition to those specified in D-01-05. For example, Australia requires all packaging material to be Bark Free.

The importing country typically informs the shipper/exporter of its specific requirements, however as a packager, when in doubt we must consult CFIA to verify if there are additional specific Phytosanitary import requirements of the foreign country.

ISPM No. 15 Wood Packaging Mark - Export Certification

All wood packaging material certified under the CWPCP must bear the internationally recognized ISPM No. 15 Wood Packaging Mark. This mark certifies that the wood packaging, wood dunnage material or any non-processed wooden articles, that bears these marks have been subjected to approved treatment measures.

Wood packaging facilities registered by the CFIA, are assigned registration number. This number identifies the facility as one that meets the official phytosanitary criteria for registration and will become part of their wood packaging mark recognized under ISPM No. 15.

The mark consists of the IPPC Recognized Symbol, the Country Code, the producer or treatment provider code which identifies the facility as a registered facility under the CWPCP, and the treatment code HT.

No other information may be contained within the wood packaging mark, such as producer trademark or logo. Any additional information may be placed anywhere outside the IPPC wood packaging mark.

The wood packaging certification mark MUST be placed in a visible location on a minimum of two opposite sides of the article being certified

For dunnage material, the mark must be visible on each individual piece.

The wood packaging certification mark may be stamped, labeled or branded to the wood packaging; tags, hand written or other non-permanent applications of the mark are not permitted.

The wood packaging certification mark may only be applied by wood packaging facilities or treatment facilities approved by the CFIA and operating under the CWPCP or the CHTWPCP.

The wood packaging certification mark is non-transferable and ultimately provides traceability to the facility and the location where the treatment occurred. One facility registration number will be issued at each facility location.

Non-Compliance

Failure to meet the Phytosanitary import requirements of a foreign importing country is a violation of Canadian law, specifically the Plant Protection Regulations. ProWest is committed to compliance with and maintenance of the wood packaging program.