Exemptions and Requirements of ISPM-15

"ISPM-15" (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) was developed by IPPC (the International Plant Protection Convention) to deal with the international shipment of probably wood materials. ISPM-15's main aim is to control the spread of wooden pests, insects, and diseases that would have a negative impact on plants, trees, and ecosystems. The quality covers vessels, aircraft, vehicles, containers, storage areas, soil, and other materials and objects which will spread and harbor pests.

Treatment requirements for wood packaging, like wood pallets and wooden packaging including recycled units, can prevent the inconvenience and price of getting your shipment quarantined at international ports of entry.

Applicable and Exempt Products under ISPM-15

ISPM-15 is applicable to wood; wood packaging items like wooden pallets, crates, reels, dunnage, collars other wooden items like bracing.

Products that are exempt from the quality include alternative materials like plastic, paper, metal, and engineered wood products like plywood, hardboard, and oriented strand board. Also, note that shipments occurring within a rustic are exempt from ISPM-15.

ISPM-15 Requirements

According to ISPM-15, all wood packaging materials (WPM) over 6 mm in thickness used for export, like wooden pallets, boxes, and crates, must be heat treated. Within the heat treatment process, WPM must be heated until its internal temperature reaches 56 degrees Celsius or more for a half-hour. This is often considered the foremost effective and environmentally friendly thanks to destroying harmful pests contained in wood.

As fumigation is a less popular then treatment, like dielectric heating or microwave heating, also as steaming and vacuuming, are being considered possible solutions.

After the wood is treated, it's stamped or branded with the internationally recognized IPPC mark. The treatment method used and country of origin of WPM is additionally indicated by the mark.

ISPM-15 Compliance Services

There are organizations that help companies ensure their wood packaging utilized in export shipments meets current ISPM-15 regulations. These organizations may provide inspection services and regulation information, also as listings to attach those within the industry...

WCO (The Wooden Crates Organization) provides guidelines for all international, domestic listings of companies involved in supplying, manufacturing, and shipping t wood material. Additionally, to providing information on inspection services, WCO educates companies on the present regulations also as compliant crating procedures for domestic and international shipping.