ISPM-15
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 require all solid wood packing material to be heat treated and stamped with an official mark. ISPM 15 requirements applyto all hardwood and softwood (coniferous and non-coniferous) packaging materials. The standard does not apply to wood packaging made wholly of manufactured wood productssuch as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, or products created using glue, heat and pressure or a combination of these.
The second alternative, Fumigation with Methyl Bromide (MB), while still acceptable is being phased out because of environmental reasons. The fumigator must be registered in theprogram in order to issue the ALSC Quality Mark.
Important note to exporters: ISPM 15 requirements apply to all coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) packing materials including dunnage. U.S. Inspection Agenciescontrol the issuance of the ALSC Quality Mark and the presence of the Quality Mark ensures WPM produced in the U.S. and destined for export meets the importing countriesregulations.
Trading partners are adopting the ISPM15 in their import regulations. As the National Plant Protection Organization of the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture,in coordination with the wood packaging material industry, has developed an export program to guarantee compliance with the import requirements of trading countries. The programinsures certified treatment and marking of wood packaging material for international trade, while maintaining traceability of the packaging material. The integrity of the program isdependentupon industries compliance.
