More and more of our products are being used to ship freight abroad. ITS Ltd are pleased to be an ISPM 15 certified packing facility, using heat treated timber as required. But what exactly does this mean?
What exactly is ISPM 15 Packaging?
This standard was created to reduce the risk of transferring termites and pests via packaged crates and pallets. Every wood packaging material (single item or whole packaging) has to be debarked, heat treated, and stamped with a mark of compliance. This regulation was developed to address the global spread of timber pests by regulating the movement of timber packaging used in international trade. The standard describes the phytosanitary measures that are designed to reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of quarantine pests associated with timber packaging material.
What requirements are needed for ISPM 15 Packaging?
In order to qualify for ISPM 15 Packaging standards, all wooden packaging to be transported from one country to another must be heat treated. To kill off pests, all packaging must be treated with the following processes:
- Fumigation using Methane Bromide
- Pallets to be heat treated in a dry kiln to a minimum core temperature of 56°c for at least half an hour.
- It’s also recommended that pallet manufacturers should make sure that all bark is removed prior to heat treating, so that only core wood is used to form a pallet.
Heat treatment also helps to dry out the wood, removing some moisture, making the wood more resistant to weather and less likely to rot.
What happens if wood packaging material does not meet the requirements of ISPM 15 is exported?
If wood packaging material is exported to countries that have implemented ISPM 15 and it is not marked appropriately or shows signs of infestation, then the importing country may order the wood packaging material to be treated or disposed of, or the consignment may be refused entry.
With our wealth of industry experience, ITS Ltd know it all when it comes to ISPM 15 Packaging. We ensure that all our products strictly comply with ISPM 15. We use heat treated timber for manufacturing timber crates and pallets. Contact us today for more information!
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