UNIPAL Insights

Wooden pallets are the most common transmitters of timber parasites. On 15 March 2002 a UN treaty governing more than 100 nations defined the standards for wooden packaging – the International Phytosanitary Regulation – ISPM 15.

Requirements:

All solid wood packaging materials (SWPM) - including wooden pallets regardless of the species used to manufacture - must be heat treated to a minimum core temperature of 56† C (132.8° F) for at least 30 minutes by a recognized and licensed (by each respective country) heat treating facility.
As an intermediate solution, fumigation is allowed for a limit period of one year.
As proof of compliance, the heat treating facility must stamp the pallets with the authorised stamp and provide documentation attesting the fact that the pallets have been heat treated to the established criteria. This documentation must accompany the pallets to their point of destination showing compliance

Implementation:

These standards are to be fully implemented by all signatory countries by the end of 2005 at the latest. For further insights into exact implementation dates click here.

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