TIMBER PRODUCTS August 2019 HT Newsletter Volume: 07/31/2019

The unauthorized and/or fraudulent use of the TP IPPC mark is illegal and a situation we take seriously. Anyone with information regarding the misuse of IPPC marks should contact TP's WPM Manager immediately. Thank you for helping to protect the integrity of the ISPM 15 program which is vital to our business and economy.

The Proper Use of Dunnage

American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated® Wood Packaging Material Enforcement Regulations (November 7, 2014)  Section 1.5 states: 

"Dunnage, as defined by ISPM 15 is wood packaging material used to secure or support a commodity but which does not remain associated with the commodity. As dunnage is a wood packaging product available as an individual piece of lumber it is a product with special considerations. Those considerations are:

1. Dunnage is not intended for use in the construction of wood packaging material pallets, crates, boxes, etc.
2. The seller shall inform its customers of the requirements of its use.
3. When improper use of dunnage is encountered, the agency shall take corrective action with the producer and, if necessary, the customer or owner. If for any reason the improper use is not corrected, the agency under whose supervision the dunnage was produced shall, at a minimum, notify the producer and the customer or owner of their responsibilities should any damages and liability arise from the improper use of dunnage."

Any time dunnage marked pieces of wood are used to build a multicomponent wood packaging product it is a non-conforming situation and exposes the facility whose mark is on the dunnage to liability.  Customs in many countries are becoming more knowledgeable about ISPM 15 regulations and if a facility is not aware that their customer is misusing the dunnage sold to them, this could become a very costly problem even if it was not in the past.

It is very important that producers of dunnage know how their customers will be using it as the producer whose IPPC number is on the dunnage can be responsible for any costs overseas related to shipments held up or re-exported back to the U.S. as a result of their dunnage being misused.