Why are Monthly Records so Important?

In November 2025, the ALSC committee made an editorial change to section 4.1.1.2 of the WPM Enforcement Regulations, which prompted a policy change within our organization. Previously, Lee Global allowed clients three business days to provide their monthly activity records to their auditor after an audit was completed; however, given the ALSC change, Lee Global updated that policy to reduce the number of allowable days down to one business day.
Given all the recent attention to section 4.1.1.2, why are monthly activity records so important? Monthly activity records for your ISPM-15 program involvement help track your activities within the program. Our auditors are trained to look at both a client’s processes and their products. Incomplete or inaccurate records do not allow our auditors, nor the ALSC, an accurate look at your processes.
In the unlikely event of a pest infestation that is tied back to a producer, monthly activity records become even more important. Those records can help verify the accuracy of HT material used by a producer and help clear that producer of any wrongdoing or fraud. Without the traceability of accurate and on-time records, a producer is left with little to combat accusations of wrongdoing or fraud.
What is the best way to keep my records updated?

1. Track activity as it happens. It is always easier to write down an incoming shipment, a heat-treating charge, or a finished product shipment as it occurs rather than after the fact.
2. Designate one individual that’s in charge of maintaining the records rather than leaving it to a team to accomplish. While we’re a big fan of teamwork here at Lee Global, when it comes to records, sometimes using a teamwork approach lends itself to items being missed or delayed.
3. Take the guesswork out and use an online tool for calculating board footage.
4. Talk to your auditor about client-specific ways to stay compliant!