EIPS Minutes, Jan. 17, 2002

Attendees:

Bob Sanders (IBM)
John Clarke (Va. Tech)
Dr. Marshall White (Va. Tech)
Ron Johnson (Intel)
Paul Russell (HP)
Suzanne Keeler (HP)
John Healy (consultant)
David Zessin (Agilent)
Eric Wenger (Cisco)
Susie Burleigh (IBM)

Next Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002.... 4-6pm in conjunction with Dimensions02 conference. The next conference call will be in March per the normal schedule.

Agenda:

1) Discuss issue regarding 89mm vs. 95mm opening (Ron Johnson): Per Dr. White the latest draft of ISO 6780 allows for the 89mm opening. No complaints in 3months using this size at INTEL. Origin of 95mm standard was based on pallet trucks. US presented a position paper to TC51 committee on ISO6780 (May 4th) to support the 89mm minimum. The TC51 group agreed to allow the 89mm opening but the spec is still in revision.

2) Future contact with Virginia Tech (Dr. Marshall White). John Clarke will be leaving Va. Tech to take a position with a supplier of metal pallets and containers. Dr. White will continue to support the EIPS team with technical guidance.

3) What to do about fumigation markings (ref. IPPC draft standard). Further analysis is needed. We feel we need to include it to accommodate those countries which cannot heat treat but this may conflict with strict environmental policy statements at our respective companies.

Bob will explore this matter internally and others should do likewise.

Note: Fumigation will be considered a permanent treatment and therefore should be marked on the pallet. Mark "MB" not "F". MB=Methyl Bromide. It would be expected that if other fumigants become approved that the marking would match the chemical name (for example: SF=Sulfuryl Flouride). However, only MB is proven effective on the targeted pests at this point.

IPPC implementation is expected in Canada in 2002, US 2004, other countries late 2002 or early 2003. Australia, which currently has requirements more strict than the IPPC standard has indicated some interest in harmonizing with the IPPC spec but there is no assurance of that at this point.

4) Discuss other implementation efforts.... Agilent won't implement it unless customers demand it since they don't buy that many pallets. Intel experienced very little cost impact and has been using them for 3 months.

It is recommended in their supplier spec but not required. IBM has been using a pallet in Europe for many years that has just been evaluated per the PDS system and it passed (spec No. 7310275). However, it includes lumber cuts not common in the US. Reducing the lumber thickness to comply with US practices could affect the qualification of it. More analysis is needed in that regard. Attached below is that spec and I offer it for inclusion on the EIPS website. It may be useful for your European operations in its present form.

(See attached file: pkg-7310275.pdf)

5) Schedule for February meeting (ref. Dimensions02): Agreement reached to meet again on Tuesday, Feb.19, 4-6pm. No phone access will be provided. Expected attendees include: Bob Sanders, Susie Burleigh, David Zessin, John Clarke. Others still trying to get approval: Ron Johnson, Eric Wenger. It was suggested to include a guest speaker that may be around that week. I'll check with Ongweoweh (see http://www.gotpallets.com ) to see if they can meet with us.

6) Open Forum: Intel implemented a 800x1160mm pallet for ocean container use. Since this dimension is not an ISO standard it won't be included in the EIPS spec at this time. However, the spec will be included on the website for reference. 1140x1140mm is the closest standard ISO dimension.

There is also interest in developing a non-wood, EIPS compliant pallet.

If anyone has implemented anything that could be considered for this, please bring it forward.

To Do's:

All: Put references to EIPS spec into your respective supplier packaging specs.

Bob: Update the EIPS spec with language about fumigation, links to IPPC standard, and fumigation marking

Regards,

Bob Sanders
IBM Corporate Packaging, Worldwide Distribution
RTP, NC 27709-2195
Phn: 919-543-1260, Fax: 919-543-4253 (IBM T/L: 441)
External Email: btsander@us.ibm.com