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(Continued)
  
   
 
  European Union (EU)  
    The European Union began enforcement of ISPM 15 March 1, 2005. The EU deferred for a year their debarking and bark-free specifications (see dunnage exemption below), but claim they will present technical justification for the additional requirements and begin enforcement March 2006. The EU has some variations that need to be clarified:  
 

· Marking: Until December 31, 2007 the EU will accept all previously recognized marks for heat treatment (HT, "no-bug" logo, and ISPM 15 mark). For fumigation, however, they will on ly accept the ISPM 15 mark; if you have wood packaging with the previous fumigation mark you must re-treat and re-mark.

  
   

· Dunnage: If dunnage is treated and marked, it need not be bark-free. If dunnage is not marked, it must be bark-free and devoid of pests and signs of live pests.

  
   

If the EU implements debark and bark-free requirements in March 2006 as they plan, dunnage must comply with the same treatment, marking and debarking as all other wood packaging.

  
 

 
    Dunnage Marking Requirements  
    The American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) has recently introduced an ISPM 15 HT mark for dunnage (see below). Dunnage is defined as wood packaging used to secure or support a commodity, but which does not remain associated with the commodity.  
       
  Each piece of dunnage shall be marked with the ISPM 15 mark specifically designated for dunnage. In the event you purchase lumber to be cut up for dunnage, that lumber should be marked every two feet so at least one such mark will be on all dunnage components.