Howard Wooden Packaging

 Are you looking for ISPM 15 packaging supplies in the UK? Find out if your wooden packaging is compliant with ISPM 15.

Is your wooden packaging in compliance with ISPM 15?

Increased international trade flow has allowed plant materials and non-autochthonous animals to be distributed worldwide. It's paramount to ensure your wooden packaging is protected as much as possible through any means, especially since organisms inside loose wood can be incredibly parasitic.

These can lead to diseases or pests within the plants or plant products or the destruction of the packaging. Professionals often invest in debarked wood or processed wood material that doesn't contain fibrous pulp. The introduction of the ISPM15 regulations allowed wooden packaging to meet these standards as it ensured professionals provided heat treatments. 

What is ISPM 15?

ISPM 15 is an acronym for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Number 15. These international standards are strict guidelines that professional natural plant protection organisations have developed for different continents and countries worldwide to utilise suitably.

One of the most significant organisations developing international standards is known as the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation). Phytosanitary measures are courses of action taken on wooden and plastic pallets to protect animals, plants and humans from pests, diseases and contaminants. Protecting the packaging can protect goods from being damaged in transit. 

Are Euro pallets ISPM 15?

It is an industry-standard for all EPAL pallets produced by manufacturers to comply with ISPM 15 of the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention), which is essential for Euro Pallets. 

Where would you find an ISPM 15 mark?

The ISPM 15 mark offers three codes, including the approved measures, the country it is sent to and the producer code with a certification number. Of course, it also consists of the IPPC certification symbol or logo.

What countries require ISPM 15?

Wooden pallets were previously utilised in freight across Europe and back to the UK, and many European countries require the use of ISPM 15 heat-treated packaging. 

Now that the UK has officially left the EU, our country is categorised as a third-party country. Our current guidelines reflect that all WPM transported between the UK and EU (European Union) must strictly meet the international standards of ISPM15. The only way to do so is by ensuring these pallet materials undergo heat treatment. They are correctly marked with the correct country code. 

All products and pallet packages for export shipments will receive official checks against the requirements to assess whether they are compliant for entry into the EU or back into GB. However, the checks will proceed throughout their journey into the UK purely on a risk-targeted basis.

There is plenty of plant health risk from any EU imported products, whether WPM or not, so these checks and tests will not change because of Brexit. ISPM15 is a standard referring primarily to international trade, making it vital for each pit stop to enforce measures to stop pests from spreading. 

Why do wooden pallets need to be heat treated?

It's been established now that the most effective approach to a pallet becoming compliant with the ISPM 15 standards is through treatments of heat and chemicals. The reason is that heat treatment is one of the only approved methods that we know for sure meets industry standards.

Heat treatments are the only treatment type that can successfully get rid of the following pests that could cause damage to the plastic or wood and obstruct the structural integrity. The pests include:

How do you heat treat a wooden pallet?

Wood packaging material, for example, wooden pallets, must be heat treated, according to the guidelines, with the help of a specialist kiln. Such guidance can lay out the requirements regarding the duration and temperature. Wood packaging must be heated till the core of the bark-free wood reaches temperatures of around 56 degrees Celsius, as opposed to the total surface area.

When the core has reached this temperature, professionals must maintain it for approximately 30 minutes. Such a temperature has been proven to eradicate a vast range of pests due to the immense heat and moisture content. A few existing pests possess a higher temperature tolerance, yet these rare prests are managed under a more independent circumstance by NPPOs. 

Many countries across the world sometimes require a higher core temperature to adhere to the regulations of ISPM15 but also to tackle more potential diseases and prevent the spread of pests. Wood packaging, like wooden pallets, is typically heat treated through the placement of a kiln or specialised plants.

The specialised kiln or plant helps heat the wood to specific temperatures that are to be maintained. Professionals often regularly inspect such kilns or plants to ensure they adequately complete the job. 

What markings do heat-treated pallets have?

It's paramount for pallets to be stamped to demonstrate to professionals that they have successfully undergone the heat treatment process. All pallets that have completed the ISPM 15 procedure are given a wheat stamp with an authentication mark recognised in each corner of the world.

Such markings consist of the familiar, universal IPPC logo, which is an ear of corn and beside it is the acronym IPPC. It also includes a two-letter country code of the International Standards Organisation. So, for example, pallets from America will be labelled 'US' and pallets from Great Britain will be labelled 'GB'. 

Welcome to ISPM 15 Packaging Howard Wooden Packaging is a leading specialist for supplying and distributing ISPM15 56/30 crates and containers. Our depot is located in Kings Cliffe, close to Peterborough, and we deliver throughout the UK. Our team are dedicated to providing quality, service and value where ISPM 15 products are concerned. If you are looking for a leading standard of service, Howard Wooden Packaging Specialists are for you.

Howard Wooden Packaging can arrange delivery of our wooden packaging products in any size or quantity. If you would like to discuss your requirements in greater detail, contact our team of packaging specialists today.

Countries which require ISPM 15 Packaging and Crates ISPM 15 Packaging is a legal requirement in many countries throughout the world. If you are exporting goods, ensure that you meet the legal requirements. Howard Wooden Packaging has put together a list of countries which require ISPM packaging and containers. 

Discover what others say about our service - ISPM 15 Testimonials Howard Wooden Packaging has provided outstanding service and value in the packaging sector for over 25 years. We have built a strong and leading reputation for consistency, quality and service. Discover what our clients say by viewing the testimonials on our page.