ISPM 15 is an International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures which provides common principles to stop pests spreading around the world via wooden packaging. It recommends that all wooden packaging must be heat treated or fumigated to an agreed standard and by an approved source.
The adoption of ISPM 15 and the requirement for accredited suppliers to ensure the correct marking of wood packaging means that customers can avoid using suppliers who do not comply. It also ensures that the wood packaging industry meets an international standard to preserve the environment.
The global implementation of national regulations based on ISPM 15 is of huge importance. ISPM 15 will not only help to ensure wood’s continued dominance in worldwide transport and packaging but will also give customers increased confidence in the wood packaging products they use.
No other packaging material will be able to compete with wood’s combination of health, strength, practicality and environmental benefits. In future wood packaging can be used to transport goods to any country that indicates its adoption of ISPM 15, without the need for certification.
The UK has been at the forefront of implementing ISPM 15, with schemes already established by the Forestry Commission and the Northern Ireland Forest Service. These are administered by TIMCON (the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation). Since January 1 all participants in the UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme have to mark their packaging materials with a new logo adopted by the International Plant Protection Convention.
While the use of ISPM 15 wood packaging is not mandatory for some markets (eg for movements within the EU), we recommend its use if total acceptability is to be ensured. In particular, we advise that international companies will require ISPM 15 compliant pallets and packaging in order to have the flexibility to move their goods around the world.
Accredited ISPM 15 compliant packaging will no longer need phytosanitary certificates to cross national boundaries – which should result in a significant simplification of world trade.
