Japanese Regulations on Wooden Frames in International Trade
In Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) plays a key role in regulating wooden frames used in international trade.
For raw wood frames, they are required to be treated to prevent the spread of pests. Fumigation is a common treatment method, and the use of methyl bromide has been widely used in the past. However, due to environmental concerns, there is a trend towards using alternative fumigants or heat treatment. Heat treatment, which involves heating the wood to a sufficient temperature to kill pests, is becoming more popular. Once treated, the raw wood frames should be marked appropriately to show compliance with Japanese regulations.
When it comes to 三合木架 (plywood frames), they are generally considered to have a lower risk of pest infestation compared to raw wood. But if the plywood is imported, it still needs to meet certain quality and safety standards. Japan has regulations regarding the formaldehyde content in plywood, as high levels of formaldehyde can be harmful to human health. Additionally, if the plywood is used in packaging certain sensitive products, such as food or pharmaceuticals, it may be subject to more stringent inspection.
For 熏蒸木架 (fumigated wood frames), the fumigation process must be carried out in accordance with Japanese standards. The fumigant used should be approved, and proper documentation about the fumigation, including the type of fumigant, the treatment duration, and the date of fumigation, must be provided. This ensures that the fumigated frames are safe for use in Japan and do not pose a risk of introducing pests or contaminants.