ISPM 15

What is ISPM 15?

ISPM 15 stands for the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No.15. They are a set of regulations which were set up to help prevent the spread of pests and diseases through the use of wood in packaging materials used in international trade. ISPM 15 stipulates a set of criteria that must be met when using any wood as packaging, like skids, boxes, pallets, and even dunnage when shipping products internationally.

The regulations require that all non-exempt wood packaging material must be heat treated to the core for 30 minutes at 56 degrees Celsius or be fumigated with Methyl Bromide.  Additionally, all wood used for wood packaging materials needs to be debarked to prevent the wood from becoming re-infested with pests.  Only then may the quality treatment mark be applied, but only by a business which has been approved by an accredited inspection agency.

Why ISPM 15?

Numerous countries around the world were becoming concerned about the global spread of timber-based diseases and pests. Consequently, ISPM 15 was developed to help prevent the spread of timber based pests and diseases which could negatively affect another country’s fauna and ecosystems. Adherence to ISPM 15 is not mandatory, but many of the leading countries involved with international trade have adopted it, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.