The AWPCS is a certification scheme developed by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) to ensure that Australian treatment providers and wood packaging manufacturers produce wood packaging material that meets the requirements of ISPM 15.
ISPM 15 is an International Standard and was developed to address the global spread of timber pests by regulating the movement of timber packing and dunnage in international trade. ISPM 15 describes phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests associated with solid timber packing material.
The AWPCS Certification Scheme applies to all organizations that export products or packaging containing coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) raw wood packaging material.
This standard does not apply to wood packaging made wholly of wood-based products such as:
- Plywood
- Particle board
- Oriented strand board
- Medium density fibre board
- Products created using glue, heat and/or pressure