The US Department of Commerce applauded the European Union's (EU) decision on February 6, 2006 to delay, until January 1, 2009, a new wood packaging rule that US industry claimed could affect nearly half of US exports to the EU, worth approximately $80 billion. This 'debarking' rule, which would require that all wood packaging materials (WPM) be manufactured from debarked wood before entering the EU, was due to go into effect on March 1, 2006.

In its announcement, the EU recognized the importance of working through the appropriate international channels for amending the international standard for wood packaging materials (ISPM-15). Review of the EU's request is currently underway, and the European Commission has noted that it will reevaluate the delay (EC) by September 2007.

This issue presents an excellent example of the United States and the EU working closely together to avoid a potential dispute and to promote the free flow of international trade. Indeed, the United States and EU have set an important precedent by confirming their commitment to the multilateral process for governing the movement of wood packaging materials. The National Wood Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA), the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA), and the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) praised the recent EU decision and thanked the USG for working with their EU counterparts to come to a mutually agreeable way forward. Together, the USG, industry, and relevant third countries will continue to strive for the effective implementation of a science-based uniform international standard that will not unnecessarily disrupt large volumes of international trade.