§1What ISPM 15 requires
- Debarked wood: small pieces of bark may remain if each is less than 3 cm wide, or wider but under 50 cm² in surface area.
- Approved treatment: heat treatment (HT: at least 56 °C for 30 continuous minutes throughout the wood profile), dielectric heating (DH), methyl bromide (MB) or sulphuryl fluoride (SF).
- The mark: the IPPC symbol, the ISO two-letter country code, a producer or treatment-provider code and the treatment code, applied to at least two opposite sides and not hand drawn.
- Repairs: repaired packaging may use only treated (and individually marked) wood or processed wood; national rules may require re-treatment and re-marking.
§2What's exempt
ISPM 15 exempts, among other things, wood packaging made entirely from thin wood (6 mm or less) and packaging made wholly of processed wood such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or veneer. That's why presswood and plastic pallets avoid treatment.
§3How the US program works
USDA APHIS states that the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) manages the quality-control programs for treating wood packaging under an agreement with APHIS. Producers enrol with an ALSC-accredited inspection agency, and treated packaging carries that agency's quality mark. ALSC publishes the lists of accredited agencies and enrolled facilities.
§4Buying controls
Specify the treatment, require a complete mark on two opposite sides, name the supplier's inspection agency in the contract, and photograph marks on every outbound lot. The HT spec sheet and certification clause carry these into your paperwork.
Destination countries can add their own rules. Ask your freight forwarder or the importer for the current requirements of each destination.