Date: Thursday, February 10, 2005

Re:	WOOD PACKING MATERIAL UPDATE

Dear NASA Member,

As follow up to the international standard known as ISPM 15, the proper treatment and certification of Wood Packing Material (WPM) will be effective on March 1, 2005, for all exports and September 16, 2005, for all imports as follows:

Compliance with ISPM 15, namely any wooden packaging materials (e.g., pallets, crates, boxes, and dunnage) must be heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo and must show appropriate country code designating the location of treatment.

Regarding imports into the U.S., additional paper certifications will not be required. Implementation of the new requirements in the U.S. has been delayed one year from their date of publication to give affected parties time to comply with the new requirements.

Best regards,

North American Shippers Association (NASA)
Joan Barrett
NASA Administrator