The latest developments in the area of heat treatment requirements should be followed by everyone in the pallet industry. There are three invasive species that the pallet (and wood) industry are going to be dealing with in the near future: EAB (Emerald Ash Borer), Woodwasp (Spirax), and Pine Shoot Beetle. The NWPCA National Wood Pallet and Container Association is working hard to get the government to implement nation-wide standards based on the international standard ISPM-15 for these reasons:

1. Insure lower cost due to the use of private companies (with government accredidation) to inspect the pallet companies.
Just imagine having the government employees perform inspections with much recourse. Furthermore, goverment inspectors would require higher pay and make fewer inspections per day, meaning higher cost to you.

2. Insure that pallets can GO ANYWHERE and not loose market share to Plastics or other materials for that reason.
It is in the interest of the Plastics industry to see a state based compliance program and limits the movement of wooden pallets, strangely the environmental group seems to be hoping for the same. We suggest you do not underestimate this threat and help NWPCA in their efforts.

3. ISPM-15 is significantly cheaper and less intrusive to implement than any USDA standard (see below).
The current inspection system has proven to work and provide the inspection service at reasonable costs to the pallet industry. Most people will understand that any government implemented system will cost the pallet industry 2 to 4 times more.

4. Insure competition across state lines.
Right now companies in Kentucky at the KY/IN border cannot get a compliance agreement to sell into IN. Indiana companies have a competitive disadvantage that includes more administrative work when shipping to KY. This is not right.

Most heat treatment has very similar requirements but we encourage you to study the exact regulations. Therefore, below you can see a summary of the main requirements for different countries and regions.

The ISPM-15 may need to be adjusted later to accommodate certain new domestic pests.However, it is obvous that the semi-private system will be the best way for the pallet industry.

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