What is ISPM 15?
ISPM 15 is an international standard that mandates the treatment of all solid wood packaging materials, including pallets and crates to eliminate pests and harmful bacteria. ISPM 15 stands for “International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15” which is the regulation of wood packaging material in international trade. A popular treatment method to ensure that wooden pallets are not harbouring any harmful bacteria is through heat treatment of the wood – in order to eliminate any potential risks. Following the heat treatment process, the wooden pallets are then marked and stamped with an ISPM 15 mark. This stamp indicates compliance with the criteria needed to meet all regulations and facilitate a fast, smooth customs clearance. Export Pallets has proudly attained accreditation from the Australian Wood Packaging Scheme (AWPCS) body, which allows us to stamp the ISPM 15 label on pallets that have been heat treated.
The importance of ISPM 15
If you are using wood packaging materials (for example pallets) in the export of commodities into countries that follow and have imposed ISPM 15 standards, then it is important to ensure that the wooden packaging in transit complies with the international standards in order for your export to enter the country. To find what countries have implemented these standards, you can find out more here. Our heat treatment solution at Export Pallets involves placing the pallets in our kiln in order to heat them to a specific temperature for a certain period of time. It needs to be long enough to kill any pests or harmful contaminants in the wood – whilst maintaining the strength of the timber.
Prevents the spread of potential diseases
If your wooden pallets are left untreated and unfumigated, they can harbor unwanted pests which can severely damage wooden biomes and agriculture in countries reliant on imports. Exporting using ISPM 15 certified pallets ensures that these pests are dealt with prior to them arriving internationally to protect the ecosystem of a country.
International regulations
There are over 100 countries that adhere to ISPM 15 compliance regulations at the time of this post. If a business plans on exporting to one of these countries and does not adhere to the adopted ISPM 15 standards and regulations, then they risk facing penalties with non-compliance. This can lead to either shipping delays, financial penalties or even ultimately shipping rejection. ISPM 15 certified pallets can help streamline the customs process and reduce the risk of non-compliance issues.
Financial risk
Having your exported goods quarantined due to pest or bacteria infested pallets costs both money and time, which can put an unwanted strain on business operations. Therefore it is best practice to ensure that pallets used by your business are ISPM 15 certified. This will avoid any unnecessary hassle and hold-up to ensure that your business runs smoothly.
Certified pallets from Export Pallets
Contact Export Pallets today to discuss how we can help provide you with certified pallets for your business. We are able to heat treat both new pallets and custom made pallets so they are ready to export your goods. Get in touch with us on (03) 9369 4497 or email us at info@exportpallets.com.au.