Pallets meet ISPM 15
April 1st 2006

As international trade grows ISPM 15 is helping countries protect themselves from the spread of pests and disease, reports the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON).

ISPM is an internationally agreed phytosanitary standard. Countries that implement import controls based on it are entitled to refuse entry of goods on wooden packaging unless marked in accordance with the standard. To meet compliance, wooden packaging has to be either fumigated using methyl bromide, or be heat treated to 56°C at the core of the wood for a minimum of 30 minutes by an approved source.

There should be no need for re-treatment during the working life of the wood packaging, unless it needs to be repaired or is broken down for remanufacturing or recycling. Once the material is approved as being compliant, manufacturers can use a mark in the form of a unique code relating to them, their products and the phytosanitary (plant health) standards the products meet.

In addition to the 25 EU Member States, more than 20 other countries have implemented the standard.

The UK has established its own compliance schemes through the Forestry Commission and the Northern Ireland Forest Service under the administration of TIMCON.

More articles from Timcon: