Introduction:
ISPM15 stands for International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. It is a regulation established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to set guidelines for the treatment and certification of wood packing material used in international shipping to prevent spread of pests and diseases.
Purpose:
ISPM15 aims to prevent the spread of pests and diseases through wooden packaging material (WPM) used in international trade.
It seeks to minimize the risk of introducing invasive pests and pathogens into new environments, thereby protecting plant health and ecosystems.
Enforcement and Penalties:
Non-compliance with ISPM15 regulations can result in various consequences, including rejection of shipments, delays in customs clearance, and legal penalties.
It is the responsibility of the importers to ensure compliance with ISPM15 standards.
Scope:
The ISPM15 applies to wooden packaging material such as pallets, crates, dunnage, and drums that are used while importing goods to the below countries:
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Treatment Requirements:
Wooden packaging materials covered by ISPM15 must undergo either heat treatment or fumigation with methyl bromide to ensure elimination of pests.
Heat treatment involves heating the wood to specific temperatures for a set duration to kill pests and their eggs.
Fumigation with methyl bromide involves exposing the wood to a specific concentration of the chemical to eradicate pests.
Certification and Marking:
After treatment, wooden packaging materials must be marked with an internationally recognized symbol, typically referred to as the "ISPM15 stamp" or "IPPC stamp."
This stamp certifies that the wood packaging material has undergone the required treatment and complies with ISPM15 standards.
The mark includes information such as the country code, the unique identification number of the treatment provider, and the treatment method used.