Notification: Implementation of the ISPM 15 between Canada and the United States

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Canada and the United States have agreed upon the implementation of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15: Regulations for wood packaging material in international trade for wood packaging produced and moving between Canada and the U.S.

The specific date of full implementation of the requirements has not been established, however the U.S. has indicated that its Final Rule on the implementation of ISPM 15 between both countries is not expected to be published before 2013. Once publication of the Final Rule is complete, an implementation date will be jointly confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Based on the anticipated timing of the publication of the Final Rule, full implementation of ISPM 15 for Canadian or U.S. origin wood packaging will not occur prior to January 2015.

The U.S. and Canada have agreed to provide industry with a minimum of a 12 month phase-in period of "informed compliance" (i.e. notification of the requirements) prior to full implementation.
The CFIA is committed to providing current information regarding this issue and will continue to notify industry of the status of the exemption removal.