Our Mission Statement
TP provides superior quality assurance programs and services to the forest products industry. This is accomplished by providing timely, cost effective services, thorough and accurate inspections, and exemplary customer service.
TIMBER PRODUCTS August 2016 Newsletter Volume: 08/16/2016
Online Newsletter
Matt McGowan - WPM Program Manager
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
Office: 770.785.4769
Mobile: 678.480.2451
Mobile: 678.480.2451
For more information on the IPPC program
Please contact:
Matt McGowan
WPM Program Manager
Conyers GA
Office 770.785.4769
Mobile 678.480.2451
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
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.
WHOLESALE INFLATION RETREATS
The federal government’s Producer Price Index moved 0.4% lower in July as declining energy costs lessened inflation pressure. The core PPI fell 0.3%. In June, the headline PPI rose 0.5%; the core PPI, 0.4%.1,2
HOUSEHOLD SENTIMENT INDEX IMPROVES
The University of Michigan’s monthly consumer sentiment index rose to 90.4 last week in its preliminary August edition. It had ended July at a mark of 90.0. A consensus forecast of economists at Briefing.com had projected a 90.2 reading.1,2
1. thestreet.com/story/13674220/1/stocks-close-mixed-as-crude-enjoys-best-weekly-gain-since-april.html [8/12/16]
2.briefing.com/investor/economic/[8/12/16]
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
Thomas Paine
Zika Virus Fumigation Concerns
There have been many incoming calls related to China's fumigation and certification requirement to kill mosquitoes in containers due to concerns related to the Zika Virus. If a customer contacts you regarding this please advise them this is not related to the ISPM 15 program or the wood packaging material you are providing. China is requiring the entire container (including the consignment) fumigated prior to shipment to make sure any mosquitoes that may be in the container and potentially carrying the Zika virus are killed. ISPM 15 relates only to pests that can attack and kill trees. If any WPM customer needs further clarification they can contact their local APHIS Export Certification Specialist at this link: APHIS Export Certification Specialist
Processing Reused WPM
ISPM 15 states in Section 4.3.1 "A unit of wood packaging material that has been treated and marked in accordance with this standard and that has not been repaired, remanufactured or otherwise altered does not require re-treatment or reapplication of the mark throughout the service life of the unit." Reused WPM (formerly known as Pass-throughs) is further defined by ALSC in their clarifications "that remanufactured WPM or repaired WPM where any doubt exists as to the heat treat compliance of all components shall have any existing ISPM 15 quality marks obliterated. This applies not only to a WPM manufacturer remanufacturing or repairing WPM onsite, but also applies to situations where that WPM manufacturer is aware the WPM has been remanufactured or repaired. Examples include sending WPM offsite to another facility to facilitate remanufacture or repair, bringing in WPM from a supplier known to be a remanufacture and/or repair operation, and receiving WPM from sister facilities remanufacturing or repairing WPM. In effect, any WPM known to have been remanufactured or repaired where any doubt exists as to heat treat compliance of all components shall have original IPPC quality marks removed." (Ratified by ALSC November 7, 2014) In any situation where used WPM is coming into a facility and any material is replaced or it appears to have been repaired in the past, the old marks will need to be obliterated, the WPM retreated and new marks applied for the WPM to conform to ISPM 15.
Information Related to Add-Ons
When combining or adding on to previously IPPC stamped (from another source) WPM (pallet, skid, crate, etc):
- The added WPM (either a single piece or multiple component WPM) must have the IPPC stamp applied, or
- The previously IPPC stamped WPM must have the marks obliterated.
When combining or adding on to non IPPC stamped WPM the added WPM cannot be stamped unless the non IPPC WPM in question is heat treated and stamped by the facility.
Scenario: IPPC stamped pallets from an outside source are brought in and had a box added to the pallet by the facility; either the box MUST be IPPC stamped by the facility or the stamps must be obliterated on the pallet.
Scenario: Non-stamped pallets are brought from an outside source and had a box added to the pallet by the facility; the box CANNOT be IPPC stamped by the facility since the pallet was not certified (stamped) by the original supplier.
NOTE: Both the base (pallet) and the addition (box) must be either IPPC stamped or neither may be stamped. There are 2 certifications involved and each are separate.
In regards to situations where there are multiple but individual add-on pieces that are not connected in any way, a single mark on one piece on opposite sides of the WPM is sufficient to identify all individual add-on pieces as a unit of add-on WPM. Each piece does not have to be marked. In sensitive areas more markings are recommended but this is all that is required by ALSC.