The ISPM15 standard describes internationally accepted measures that may be applied to wood packaging material by all countries to reduce significantly the risk of introduction and spread of most quarantine pests that may be associated with that material.

This standard is widely adopted across the globe. A full list of participating countries can be found here: Countries List: - International Plant Protection Convention

ISPM15 Marking Rule:

A mark indicating that wood packaging material has been subjected to approved phytosanitary treatment in accordance with the ISMP15 standard comprises the following four components:

1. The IPPC symbol
2. A country code
3. A producer/treatment provider code
4. A treatment code using the appropriate abbreviation of treatment method (HT, DH, MB or SF)

1. IPPC Symbol

The design of the symbol resemble closely that shown in the examples illustrated below and must be presented to the left of the other components.

2. Country code

The country code must be the ISO two-letter country code (shown in the examples as “XX”). It must be separated by a hyphen from the producer/treatment provider code.

3. Producer/treatment provider code

The producer/treatment provider code is a unique code assigned by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) to the producer of the wood packaging material or treatment provider who applies the marks (shown in the examples as “000”).

4. Treatment code

The treatment code is an IPPC abbreviation for the approved measure used and shown in the examples as “YY”. The treatment code must appear after the combined country and producer/treatment provider codes. The approved codes are: HT (Heat Treatment), DH (Dielectric heating), MB( Methyl bromide) and SF (Sulphuryl fluoride).

Application of the mark

The mark must be:

• legible
• durable and not transferable
• placed in a location that is visible when the wood packaging is in use, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the wood packaging unit

Non-Compliant Marking Examples

The pallet has been over-branded, so the manufacturer number is illegible

The IPPC logo is in the incorrect place and the remaining marks are unclear

The manufacturer number is illegible

The mark has worn away, rendering all information illegible

Exemptions

The following articles are of sufficiently low risk to be exempted from the provisions of this standard:

• wood packaging material made entirely from thin wood (6 mm or less in thickness)
• wood packaging made wholly of processed wood material, such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or veneer that has been created using glue, heat or pressure, or a combination thereof
• barrels for wine and spirit that have been heated during manufacture
• gift boxes for wine, cigars and other commodities made from wood that has been processed and/or manufactured in a way that renders it free of pests
• sawdust, wood shavings and wood wool
• wood components permanently attached to freight vehicles and containers

By ensuring that your wood packaging material is ISPM15 compliant, you are helping to protect your business from potential penalties from local customs authorities. It is the responsibility of the packing party to ensure all wood packing materials are compliant for export to the destination country. Woodland Group reserve the right to refuse any export consignments packed using non-complaint wood.

Please contact your local Woodland Group representative for further information.