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ISPM15

• Phytosanitary ISPM15 Guidelines for regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade, was adopted by the Commission for Phytosanitary Measures.

• The requirements are for either heat treatment or fumigation of raw wood packaging.

• We can provide all your pallet needs to meet these requirements and advise you accordingly.

International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures ISPM15

This is a guide for regulatory wood and wood packaging in international trade.

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures adopted ISPM15 in March 2002. This means that countries can now decide to implement these internationally recognized import regulations to prevent the spread of wood pests.

The new international mark has been agreed and trademarked and is now authorized for use.

At Edwards and Ross Pallets we can collect, heat treat and return your pallets within three working days.

"Alternatively we can supply pre-treated new or
reconditioned pallets with full certification in
accordance with the ISPM15 standard."

Treatment measures approved under IPSM15

Heat treatment (HT) to a minimum core temperature of 56oC for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Fumigation, using Methyl Bromide (MB) to the prescribed dosage and temperature.

To attest to compliance to the standard the pallet must be clearly marked on 2 faces showing the official IPPC logo, a 2 letter country code (xx), a unique number (000) assigned by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), HT for Heat Treatment or MB for Methyl Bromide and DB to signify debarked.

It is unclear when the use of the IPPC logo will be mandatory and when some countries will stipulate its use. Members of the UK Forestry Commission Wood Marking Programme are being advised to implement the IPPC logo albeit remains optional. Marking pallets with the NPPO stamp without the IPPC logo was a practice introduced by the EU to enable re-import of pallets originating and treated in the EU, back from the USA, Canada, China and Japan. The European Commission introduced regulations 1 October 2001 to control the importation of wood packaging from these countries, these regulations are still in force requiring pallets to be HT or MB treated.

The current position regarding implementation of the international regulations is; New Zealand has announced (April 2003) new regulations that include acceptance of pallets that comply with ISPM15.

Republic of Korea has issued formal notice to implement ISPM15.

China will only accept wooden pallets stamped DB-HT or DB-MB with the accompaniment of a phytosanitary certificate.

The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO), which covers Canada, USA and Mexico, have announced these countries will implement ISPM15 from 2 January 2004.

The EU is planning implementation in January 2004 and is expected to publish its proposals in September/October this year.

Other countries that have not made clear their intent at this stage, because import regulations differ depending on the exporting country.