ISPM 15 – IPPC handling

In order to keep pace with the steady increase in demand for exportable pallets, in the summer of 2006 we invested in a wood drying system.

This enables us to dry pallets for products that are subject to special hygiene regulations, and also to perform the IPPC-ISPM 15 procedure. We have received approval to carry out this procedure from the Stuttgart Regional Council, certification number DE-BW-49-1-2-014.

In order to conserve indigenous tree stocks from the introduction of pasts that can harm the wood, many countries have passed quarantine laws for this purpose. To prevent widely diverse import regulations from being drafted in different countries, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a subordinate organization of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has issued ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures) "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade" governing international shipping of solid wood packaging material.

• ISPM 15 applies solely to solid wood. Wood materials and solid wood thinner than 6 mm (in accordance with the EU Harmonized System) are excluded.
  
  
• Treatment of packaging in accordance with recognized methods. These include heat treatment (HT) producing a core temperature of 56°C for a period of at least 30 minutes, e.g., by technical drying (KD - kiln-drying) provided the values cited are reached. Chemical Pressure Impregnation (CPI) is only recognized if the previously cited specifications for HT are satisfied. Another method is gassing with methyl bromide (MB) depending on concentration, duration and temperature.
  
  
• Marking the packaging. In this context, identification must be applied on two opposite sides of the packaging and must be permanent and clearly legible. The identification mark is compiled from the country ID according to ISO 3166 (e.g., DE for Germany), the code for the region (e.g., BW for Baden-Württemberg), and a registration number that is assigned to the packaging manufacturer, the packager or the shipper by the regional Plant Conservation Agency (one-time number beginning with 49). With regard to the treatment method, the abbreviation HT is used to indicate heat treatment or MB to indicate gassing with methyl bromide. On occasion, DB may be added to indicate that the wood is debarked.

• IPPC symbol
• Country code in accordance with ISO 3166, e.g., DE for Germany
• Region code, e.g., BW for Baden-Württemberg
• Registration number, issued one time and beginning with 49
• Treatment method, e.g., HT (heat treatment), MB (methyl bromide), and possibly DB (debarked)
• Use of debarked wood may be required.
• Waiver of requirement for official plant conservation certificate.

The plant conversation agencies or authorities will provide information regarding the countries where the IPPC standard is applied, the date when it was adopted, and its precise coverage.