Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of heat treating wood packaging material?
What is ISPM 15?
Why do we need to meet ISPM 15 requirements?
How can I tell if my wood packaging material is ISPM 15 compliant?
What if I only ship throughout the United States, do I still need to meet the ISPM 15 standard and heat treat my wood packaging material?
What species of wood must be treated?
Why is heat treatment a better phytosanitary method to use than methyl bromide fumigation?
What is the purpose of heat treating wood packaging material?
The international export standard, ISPM 15, requires that all wood packaging material be heat-treated at a core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes. This regulation eliminates the presence of pests found in wood, particularly the Pinewood Nematode and the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, which protects crops and forests in other parts of the world.
What is ISPM 15?
The acronym stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, publication 15. ISPM 15 was adopted in 2002 by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) as part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The intent of this treaty is to remove barriers to international trade by establishing standards, and guidelines for regulating wood packaging materials.
Why do we need to meet ISPM 15 requirements?
The United States along with 133 other countries (which includes most major U.S. trading partners), have adopted ISPM 15 as their international standard. If shipments are sent to one of these member countries and are not ISPM 15 compliant, they will be delayed, refused, or destroyed. Heat treating pallets, lumber and other wood packaging material will ensure all shipments will be internationally accepted and received on time.
How can I tell if my wood packaging material is ISPM 15 compliant?
All of Universal’s heat-treated products will carry the IPPC’s official heat-treated mark, signifying that our heat-treated wood packaging material is ISPM 15 compliant. This will ensure that all shipments will be accepted into any country abiding by these regulations.
What if I only ship throughout the United States, do I still need to meet the ISPM 15 standard and heat treat my wood packaging material?
It is only necessary to meet the ISPM 15 requirements if you are shipping to one of the other 133 countries that have adopted this as their international export standard.
What species of wood must be treated?
All wood packaging material, regardless of species (hardwoods and softwoods), must be heat-treated to meet ISPM 15 standards.
Why is heat treatment a better phytosanitary method to use than methyl bromide fumigation?
Choosing to use Universal’s heat treatment capabilities is a completely safe and effective method of complying to ISPM 15 standards, unlike methyl bromide, which is a toxic gas. Methyl bromide has been identified as contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and is being phased out in all applications except for fumigation of wood packaging materials.