About CDC Packaging
Rules for Wood Used in Packaging
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has developed an international standard for the heat-treating of Solid Wood Packaging Materials (SWPM) to help prevent the spread of insects and disease.
Here are answers to our customers’ most common questions:
Phytosanitary Certification
As of January 1, 2006, the USDA will no longer provide phytosanitary certification as the ISPM 15 IPPC stamp will be the only requirement.
IPPC Stamped or Certified Lumber
CDC Packaging has received several inquiries regarding the purchase of IPPC stamped or certified lumber. With the exception of dunnage, we cannot sell IPPC stamped lumber.
Where The IPPC Stamp Can Be Used
The IPPC stamp can only be used on completed wood packaging assembled by a wood packaging manufacturer, such as CDC Packaging. To meet the ISPM 15 requirement, the finished packaging must have been manufactured using HT stamped wood AND must have an official IPPC stamp from a licensed wood packaging manufacturing facility on opposing sides.
Our IPPC Stamp Policy
Any wood packaging manufactured by CDC Packaging will be stamped with the official IPPC logo, the NELMA logo, and the number 09506. However, you may, on occasion, receive wood packaging from us that does not have the number 09506 on the stamp because in some cases, we may purchase wood packaging from other IPPC certified facilities.
Clarifying the Dunnage Confusion
We have received several inquiries regarding the heat treatment standards required for dunnage. Dunnage is defined as “wood packaging materials used to secure or support a commodity, but which does not remain associated with the commodity.”
That definition can be confusing. Jeff Easterling, President of NELMA, helped clarify the dunnage question:
CDC Packaging can provide its customers with IPPC stamped dunnage lumber to be used outside of a commodity such as blocking and bracing in an ocean container. However, dunnage stamped lumber cannot be used to block and brace inside of a crate, on a pallet or skid.
If you need additional lumber to be used inside of a crate or on a skid manufactured by CDC Packaging, we will provide you with this blocking as part of that crate or skid order. The lumber will be HT stamped, but will not be IPPC stamped.
More on ISPM 15:
- Read the full text of the standard.
- Access FAQs.
- Read an explanatory document.
- Visit the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA), which oversees all SWPM Heat Treating programs in the Northeast.
- Visit the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC), which oversees all SWPM Heat Treating programs in the US.
Have questions or need a clarification? Ask the experts at CDC Packaging!