EIPS meeting – June 19, 2003
Attendees:
Dr. Mark White, John Healy, Phil Smolinski, Suzanne Keeler,
Ron Johnson,
Dave Zessin, Susie Burleigh, Bob Sanders
Notes / Minutes:
-- The new IPPC
symbol has been released to replace the bug free symbol.
The FAO is in the process of registering the mark in each
country including
the US. NAPPO
will control the use of the mark in North America.
The IPPC mark will be difficult to print legibly on wood and
is not
stencilable in its present form. Obvously, this is a giant step
backward from where we intended to be on this matter but it
is still better
than nothing (maybe).
(See attached file: IPPC Symbol.bmp)
-- NAPPO (US,
Canada, Mexico) signed a joint agreement to adopt ISPM15
simultaneously in Jan, 2, 2004 for all North American
imports. This
still must pass through the legislative process including
public comment
period. Canada was
prepared to adopt it in June, 2003 but agreed to
delay in concert with the other North American countries.
-- On a negative note, Australia has indicated
no intention of adopting
ISPM15 in lieu of their more stringent standards. This does not bode
well for global harmony on this matter. See attachment below.
-- New Zealand which
usually parallels Australia on such matters will
accept ISPM15 compliant materials in lieu of their more
stringent
requirements (Example:
HT = 70C for 4 hours in New Zealand). See
APHIS website for New Zealand details.
-- China, Japan and
Korea have expressed reservations about the efficacy
of fumigation for pests of concern to them. However, they appear to
otherwise be showing some favor towards implementing ISPM15.
-- Bill Roberts is
the new contact at FAO that is involved in the IPPC
program and markings.
He replaced Bob Griffin.
-- Tom Searles at
ALSC would be most knowledgeable about how the IPPC
symbol will be rolled out. Previously approved sources for the bug free
symbol should be able to do a straight conversion to the new
symbol.
Notice that the IPPC standard still carries a March 2002
date despite the
marking change.
We should assume that use of the logo prior to stamps
being officially provided to specific manufacturers would
not be allowed.
Bob Sanders will inquire with ALSC to find out what the plan
is in Mexico
and Canada.
Note: Canada and US will not
enforce IPPC standards on
shipments crossing the US/Canada border (of origin US or
Canada) since we
share a long border with contiguous forests. However, both US and Canada
will enforce the standard on shipments from origin
Mexico. It is unknown
what Mexico will do on shipments from the US/Canada.
-- USDA has
requested comments on their plan to adopt ISPM15 by Jan. 2,
2004. EIPS will
provide comments and questions for their consideration
as in the past.
EIPS members should compile any comments/questions and
send to Bob Sanders by June 25, 2003. Bob will then compile and return by
June 27, 2003. We
will then review them one last time at our next
scheduled meeting on July 17, 2003.
-- The team favored
the notion of making suggestions on the structure and
wording that could be used for "self declarations"
of compliance (like that
which is required in China today). If we can get the USDA to adopt or
recommend a consistent format and wording then perhaps it
could become the
defacto standard for other countries to follow. This would be a
proactive step to hopefully avoid each country having its
own way on that
inevitability.
-- The team agreed
that it would be good to include an all plywood pallet
drawing that is EIPS compliant in our knowledge base. This was an
attempt to deal with nagging problems in China
(imports/exports) to avoid
the necessity for Govt. issued certificates. Dr. White agreed to
assist in evaluating specs via PDS. He estimated that such a design
may require a one piece top and bottom deck with cutouts for
the base piece
(cruciform) as opposed to individual strips of plywood
forming the full
perimeter base.
Plywood may have to be 19/32" thickness to meet the
strength guidelines.
IBM will submit drawings to Dr. White to start
with and he'll work with us on that. However, he will be overseas
next week and may not be able to get to it right away. We will also
inquire with one of our pallet suppliers.
-- Previous
indications that the initials "DB" can or should follow the
treatment markings for "debarked" wood do not seem
to be gaining ground and
can probably be omitted from our specs.
-- EIPS Logo's: We need to investigate officially
trademarking these
logo's. Bob
Sanders will inquire with IoPP and/or the trademark office
to find out what is required to do that.
-- Next
Meeting: July 17, 2003 11am eastern time.
Special thanks for John Healy for his ongoing assistance and
close
connections in the regulatory arena and to Dr. White for his
deep knowledge
of pallet performance.
Thanks again for your ongoing patience, support and
cooperation as these
issues evolve. I
still look forward to our vision of consistent high
quality [bug free] pallets moving through our collective
supply chains to
the mutual benefit of all. I hope you do too...
(See attached file: Australian Solid wood packaging cargo,
June 15,
2003.doc)
Warmest Regards,
Bob Sanders, STSM
Corporate Packaging Programs
Global Logistics Operations Support, Integrated Supply Chain
Phone: 919-543-1260, Fax: 919-543-7996 (IBM T/L: 441)
External Email: btsander@US.IBM.COM