deviation from international standard for wood packing material in october 2004 the united states expressed concerns over ec directive 2004 102 which affected the importation of wood packing material. the directive required the debarking of wood used in packing material in addition to the heat and fumigation treatment prescribed by ispm 15. during the development of ispm 15 ippc members had concluded that there was insufficient scientific evidence to justify the debarking requirement as an additional risk management measure. the debarking requirement would disrupt trade and undermine efforts to increase international harmonization. the european communities was requested to reconsider its measures or postpone the implementation of the debarking requirements until scientific justification was available. new zealand stated that countries or regions should not adopt unilateral measures for wood packing material that would cause the disruption of the global implementation of ispm 15. however there might be technical justifications for requiring bark-free ispm 15 compliant wood packing material. canada shared the concerns of the united states on the importance of achieving harmonization. ispm 15 allowed for the introduction of debarking requirements only where it could be scientifically justified. the issue of debarking was under review by the international forestry quarantine research group. the european communities and those countries introducing debarking requirements were requested to reconsider their measures until the completion of the international review. china mexico and the philippines shared the concerns of the united states and urged members not to apply measures in excess of ispm 15 in the absence of any scientific justification. chile stated that its measures were under public consultation and it welcomed comments from members. the european communities stated that ec directive 2000 29 established protective measures against the introduction and spread of harmful organisms to plant and plant products into the european communities. these measures were notified on 10 november 2003 and would enter into force on 1 march 2005. there was some flexibility in the requirements for markings as specified in annex 2 of ispm 15 and in the conditions required for dunnage. for wood packing material manufactured repaired or recycled before 28 february 2005 the requirements for the markings would not come into effect until 31 december 2007. the requirements for dunnage except wood less than 6 mm thick and processed wood would not come into effect until 31 december 2007. these products could be made from debarked wood that was free from pests. these requirements were included to ensure protection against future infestation or re-infestation once treatment had been completed. the current regulations were being considered by ec authorities in brussels and the committee would be informed of any changes. in march 2005 the united states welcomed the european councils decision on 28 february to delay the debarking requirement contained in directive 2004 102 ec until 1 march 2006. canada pointed out that no technical justification currently existed for a debarking requirement. canada hoped that if a debarking requirement would be found necessary it could be done on a multilateral basis within the context of ispm 15. the philippines noted that debarking should not be imposed if the wood packaging was already on the market or certified to have undergone the approved treatment according to ispm 15. the philippines asked the european communities to take the developments in international standard setting into account when they decided whether or not to implement their current legislation. the dominican republic requested clarification of the ec extension. the european communities emphasized that the problem related to what extent ispm 15 permitted debarking. the european communities had a very good disease status with respect to certain nematodes commonly found in wood packaging