What is ISPM 15? A comprehensive guide for packaging requirements

If your business uses wooden crates, pallets or timber packaging, it is essential that you are aware of ISPM 15.

ISPM 15 – meaning International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures – is a regulation for heat treatment of timber pallets and packaging. Any wood material thicker than 6mm used for shipping products between countries is subject to the regulation. Its primary purpose is to prevent the spread of pests (insects), diseases and contaminants in the wood.

This guide provides you with all of the information your business needs regarding ISPM 15, ensuring your export packaging complies with the regulations.

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) originally developed the “International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures” No. 15 (ISPM 15).

Phytosanitary measures are steps taken to help protect humans, animals, and plants from contaminants, pests (typically insects), or diseases. There are 24 International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures in total.

ISPM 15 specifically covers wood packaging used for international trade. As such, items including pallets, wooden shipping crates, timber cases and dunnage all fall within the scope of the standard. However, timber packaging manufactured using processed woods such as plywood, OSB, and particle boards is exempt.

Due to the regulations, the supplier from whom you purchase any timber crates, pallets, or wooden export packaging must treat them appropriately. It is also essential that your packaging carries the correct marking.

The purpose of ISPM 15 is to preserve environments from pests and diseases found in the wood of trees.

The regulations recommend heat treatment of timber packaging made of coniferous and non-coniferous raw wood to prevent these pests and diseases from spreading and negatively affecting another country’s plants or ecosystem. Kiln drying and fumigation (with Methyl bromide) are also acceptable.

However, there are also other advantages to using wooden pallets that have been heat-treated, including enhanced sterilisation, durability and weather resistance.

All wood materials used to transport goods between countries that are thicker than 6mm must meet the criteria within ISPM 15 regulations.

The regulations encompass pallets, dunnages, crates, cable drums, spools, packing cases, and boxes, regardless of whether using softwood (coniferous) or hardwood (non-coniferous).

The standard does not extend to items manufactured from hardboard, plywood, or other wood panel products (i.e. processed wood materials), as well as those made from paper or plastic.

Here is a list of all wood packaging exemptions:

• Presswood pallet.
• Venner peeler core.
• Wood packaging less than 6mm in thickness.
• Euroblock palletblocks.
• Wooden barrels that have been heat treated to contain alcohol.
• Sawdust, wood wool and shavings.
• Gift boxes with processed wood.

ISPM 15 describes the standard processes to thoroughly eliminate pests, diseases, and contaminants in wood packaging materials through each method.

There are four methods of treating wood packaging, but only two of them are approved by ISPM 15 standards (HT and MB):

• Heat treatment (HT): Heating wood packaging until the minimum wood core temperature reaches 56 degrees Celsius. The temperature should remain at this level for 30 minutes at a minimum.
• Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation: Wood fumigation involves placing wood in a sealed area and introducing fumigants, such as gases or chemicals, to eliminate pests. It is, however, banned in EU countries.
• Dielectic heat (DH): This process uses electromagnetic waves to create heat of 60 degrees Celsius at 30 minutes (minimum) for effective treatment of the packaging.
• Sulphuryl fluoride (SF) fumigation: Similar to methyl bromide but using sulphuryl fluoride instead, this process is also banned in EU countries.

These types of treatments successfully eliminate the following pests:

• Insects
• Anobiidae
• Bostrichidae
• Buprestidae
• Cerambycidae
• Curculionidae
• Isoptera
• Lyctidae (with some exceptions for HT)
• Oedemeridae
• Scolytidae
• Siricidae
• Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

However, heat treatment is the preferred method for ISPM 15, being safer and more effective than chemical fumigation. The heat eliminates insects and larvae, diminishes moisture content, and ensures pallets are safe to handle.

Chemical fumigation, in contrast, has led to recalls in the food and pharmaceutical sectors due to trace chemical residues and often leaves an undesirable odour. Chemically treated pallets must not be burnt or used for other purposes (including DIY projects) due to their harmful nature.

Certain pests can resist the heat treatment and are managed by the National Plant Protection Organisation on a case-by-case basis – at which heat treatment may require a higher temperature.