ISPM 15

1
ISPM 15

• An informative guide to international import
  export regulations of wooden packaging

2
ISPM Background

• International Standards for Phytosanitary
  Measures (ISPM)
• Regulatory standards prepared by the Secretariat
  of the International Plant Protection Convention
  (IPPC)
• Part of the United Nations Food Agriculture
  Organizations (FAO) global program of policy
  technical assistance in plant quarantine
• Aimed to harmonize phytosanitary measures and
  facilitate trade
• Works to avoid the use of unjustifiable standards
  and measures as barriers to international trade

3
ISPM 15 Background

• ISPM standard number 15 describes phytosanitary
  measures necessary to reduce the risk of
  introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests
  associated with wooden packaging material made of
  coniferous and non-coniferous raw wood used in
  international trade
• Applies to wooden packaging material such as
  pallets, dunnage, crating, packing blocks, drums,
  cases, load boards, pallet collars, and skids

4
ISPM 15 Background

• Why is there a need for wooden packaging
  regulation?
• Wooden packaging is frequently made of raw wood
  that may not have undergone sufficient processing
  or treatment to remove or kill pests, and
  therefore becomes a pathway for the introduction
  and spread of pests.

5
Regulatory Exceptions

• Wooden crating made wholly of wood-based products
  such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand
  board or veneer, that have been created using
  glue, heat and pressure, should be considered
  sufficiently processed to have eliminated the
  pest risks associated with raw wood
• These wood-based products are not subject to ISPM
  15 regulations because it is unlikely that they
  are infested by raw wood pests

6
Approved Phytosanitary Measures

• Heat treatment (HT)
• Wood should be heated in accordance with a
  specific time-temperature schedule that achieves
  a minimum core temperature of 56C (132.8F) for
  a minimum of 30 minutes
• Methods such as kiln-drying (KD) and chemical
  pressure impregnation (CPI), may be considered
  heat treatments if they meet the HT
  specifications
• These methods use steam, hot water, or dry heat
  as heat treatment methods

7
Heat Treatment (HT) Mark

• The marking below indicates that a wooden package
  has undergone the approved heat treatment (HT)
  phytosanitary measure

8
Approved Phytosanitary Measures

• Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation
• Wooden packaging can be fumigated with methyl
  bromide as a means of pest eradication
• Minimum temperature should be no less then 10C
  (50F)
• Minimum exposure time should be 16 hours

9
Methyl Bromide (MB) Fumigation Mark

• The marking below indicates that a wooden package
  has undergone the approved fumigation
  phytosanitary measure

10
Source Citation

• This presentation was designed to inform clients
  of Pak-Rite, Ltd. on the important aspects of
  ISPM 15
• Information relevant to Pak-Rite, Ltd. its
  clients was taken from and can be found on the
  IPPCs official website
• To explore more information about the IPPC or
  ISPM 15, or to review continued policy changes,
  please visit the IPPCs official website

11
Thank You

• For any additional information contact