News
Sri Lanka is implementing ISPM No. 15 regulations concerning wood packaging materials on March 8, 2010. The regulation on imported wood packaging materials will be implemented six months later on September 8, 2010.
ISPM 15 which was approved by the International Plant Protection Convention is the international standard for heat treated and fumigated wood products. It allows for two treatment options of wood products:
1. Heat Treatment (HT): Wood packaging material should be heated in a schedule that achieves a minimum core temperature of 56o Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes.
2. Methyl Bromide (MB) Fumigation: The wood packaging material should be fumigated with methyl bromide.
Under the regulations, all wood packaging material imported into or exported from Sri Lanka: must be free of bark; must have been subjected to a treatment acceptable to the Director-General in conformity with the ISPM 15; shall display a mark to prove compliance with ISPM 15.
Penalty of the violation may end up with destruction of the packages, rejection of entry or ship back of the entire cargoes to the origin.
