To meet the objective of preventing the spread of pests, both exporting and importing countries should verify that the requirements of this standard have been met.
Ideally, dunnage should also be marked in accordance with Annex II of this standard as having been subjected to an approved measure. If not, it requires special consideration and should, as a minimum, be made from bark-free wood that is free from pests and signs of live pests. Otherwise it should be refused entry or immediately disposed of in authorized manner (see section 6).
The NPPO of the exporting country has responsibility for ensuring that systems for exports meet the requirements set out in this standard. It includes monitoring certification and marking systems that verify compliance, and establishing inspection procedures (see also ISPM Pub. No. 7: Export certification system), registration or accreditation and auditing of commercial companies that apply the measures, etc.
Where consignments moving in transit have exposed wood packaging material that has not met the requirements for approved measures, the NPPOs of the transit countries may require measures in addition to those of the importing country to ensure that wood packaging material does not present an unacceptable risk.
The regulation of wood packaging material requires that NPPOs have policies and procedures for other aspects of their responsibilities related to wood packaging material.
Since wood packaging materials are associated with almost all shipments, including those not normally the target of phytosanitary inspections, cooperation with agencies, organizations, etc. not normally involved with meeting phytosanitary export conditions or import requirements is important. For example, cooperation with Customs organizations should be reviewed to ensure effectiveness in detecting potential non-compliance of wood packaging material. Cooperation with the producers of wood packaging material also needs to be developed.
Where wood packaging material does not carry the required mark, action may be taken unless other bilateral arrangements are in place. This action may take the form of treatment, disposal or refused entry. The NPPO of the exporting country may be notified (see ISPM Pub. No. 13: Guidelines on notification of non-compliance and emergency action). Where the wood packaging material does carry the required mark, and evidence of live pests is found, action can be taken. These actions may take the form of treatment, disposal or refused entry. The NPPO of the exporting country should be notified in cases where live pests are found, and may be notified in other cases (see ISPM Pub. No. 13: Guidelines on notification of non-compliance and emergency action).
Disposal of wood packaging material is a risk management option that may be used by the NPPO of the importing country upon arrival of the wood packaging material where treatment is not available or desirable. The following methods are recommended for the disposal of wood packaging material where this is required. Wood packaging material that requires emergency action should be appropriately safeguarded prior to treatment or disposal to prevent escape of any pest between the time of the detection of the pest posing the threat and the time of treatment or disposal.
Incineration
Complete burning
Burial
Deep burial in sites approved by appropriate authorities. (Note: not a suitable disposal option for wood infested with termites). The depth of the burial may depend on climatic conditions and the pest, but is recommended to be at least 1 metre. The material should be covered immediately after burial and should remain buried.
Processing
Chipping and further processing in a manner approved by the NPPO of the importing country for the elimination of pests of concern (e.g. manufacture of oriented strand board).
Other methods
Procedures endorsed by the NPPO as effective for the pests of concern.
The methods should be applied with the least possible delay.
