ISPM 15 (treatment of wood packaging)
International standard requiring the heat or fumigation treatment of wooden packaging used in international trade.
ISPM 15 — International standard for wood packaging
ISPM 15 (International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is an IPPC standard that requires the treatment of raw wood packaging materials used in international trade to prevent the spread of pests.
Affected packaging
Pallets, crates, cushioning, dunnage and any other raw (solid) wood packaging. Processed materials (plywood, particle board, OSB) are exempt.
Recognized treatments
- HT (Heat Treatment): heat treatment at 56°C minimum for 30 minutes in the heart of the wood
- DH (Dielectric Heating): dielectric heating
- MB (Methyl Bromide): fumigation with methyl bromide (used less and less, banned in the EU since 2010)
- SF (Sulfuryl Fluoride): fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride
Marking
Treated packaging must bear the standardized IPPV marking: the IPPC logo, the country code, the producer/treater number and the code of the treatment applied.
Import control
Customs and phytosanitary services check the presence and conformity of the ISPM 15 marking. Failure to do so may result in the shipment being rejected, compulsory treatment at the importer's expense, or even the destruction of the packaging.
Practical advice
Always check with your supplier that wood packaging complies with ISPM 15 before shipping. Refusal at destination generates considerable costs (demurrage, processing, reshipment).