Heat Treatment ISPM 15 Rules and Cross-Border Oversea Shipments

When choosing wood pallets, it is important to understand the benefits of heat treating packaging materials. All heat-treated wood pallets must comply with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM15) requirements. This helps to prevent the spread of harmful insects and pests. This can lead to infestations during the exportation process.

Food and pharmaceutical industry recalls have been caused by chemical residues from fumigation. Heat treatment of shipping pallets is now essential for consumer safety. The ISPM-15 is currently adopted by 14 countries and the whole European Union. It requires heat treatment, debarking, and stamping wood pallets bearing a compliance mark. Wood pallet manufacturers, Wooden crates and Wooden box buyers must comply with the ISPM-15.

Also Read : What Are Pallets Used For

HEAT TREATING WOOD PALETS IS IMPORTANT

Trees are naturally susceptible to pathogens and fungi via soil, air and water. These pests can be transferred to other countries if a tree infested with them is being used to make pallets. In Europe, the Asian beetle (and the ash borer) have been known to decimate large numbers of trees. These and other pests were prevented from spreading by governments, environmentalists and manufacturers who developed a new method of pallet production that included heat treatment.

PROCESS OF HEAT TREATMENT

There are many ways to heat treat lumber. Some are more efficient than others. The end user’s application will determine the method that is used. Wood must be heated to 56 degrees Celsius for at minimum 30 minutes in order to comply with ISPM-15.

During the Heat treatment Wood is used in the manufacturing process. Placed in a special chamber some processes require that the product is exposed to heat and moisture for several hours. Some processes require low heat and dry heat for several days (kiln drying). Canada’s softwood lumber is dried in kilns at a moisture level of 9 to 20%.

Heat treated pallets are stamped with an internationally recognized mark to prove that they have been properly processed and are ready for shipment.

Also Read : Why Heat Treatment Pallets Are Better Than Fumigate

BENEFITS OF HEATING PALETS

To reduce the chance of infestation, ISPM-15 must be strictly enforced. The environment and the population are at risk when foreign pests and other insects spread across borders. Pallet handlers can also be at risk from disease and illness due to infestation.

There are many reasons why heat treating wood is beneficial:

• Environmentally friendly – No harmful chemicals are used in heat treatment, unlike toxic methods that use bromide to kill wood. This saves the environment, and old damaged pallets can be recycled to make wood chips or recycled pallets.
• Increases longevity and quality – Wood’s composition changes when it is heated treated. Wood becomes stronger against micro-organisms such as fungi, which can cause it to rot. It also makes it more resistant to moisture and less susceptible to decay. Heat treated wood can be used in shipping if it is well maintained. It will not crack, warp, or chip if taken care of properly. Heat treatment of wood reduces shrinkage and swelling.
• Lighter in Weight – Heat treatment is used to destroy sap and reduce the wood’s moisture content. It also makes the wood more resistant against water absorption. Because the wood is lighter, it can help you save money on shipping.
• International Acceptance – Cross-border shipments require wood pallets to adhere strictly to ISPM-15.Heat treated pallets allow for more efficient and compliant transportation across international borders.

Also Read : Why Wooden Pallets need Heat Treated

STANDARDS AND DOCUMENTATION

New Wood pallets that meet the requirements Standards ISPM-15 They are imprinted with the International Plant Protection Convention logo, which is composed of two letters (IPPC) beside an ear corn and a two-letter International Standards Organization code. This code allows you to track the country responsible for wood’s entry into the supply chain.

Additional information includes the number of the pallet manufacturer’s certification number and the name of the regulator responsible for heat treating the wood. The pallets also have two letters that indicate the method of treatment: “HT” indicates wood that was heat-treated; “MB” refers a fumigation using methyl bromide.

Although other manufacturers may add additional details to heat-treated pallets, the ISPM-15 authentication marks is sufficient to prove that they are safe for use in cross-border shipping. You will be denied entry to most countries if you don’t comply with the requirements. It is important to only purchase pallets from reputable companies. These logos are important to look for when using wood pallets to ship products domestically or internationally.

ISPM-15 IN MALAYSIA AND THE Singapore

Both MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE are members of the  International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) IPPC and have adopted ISPM-15 regulations. All wood packing materials shipped domestically or internationally must be treated with the IPPC marking. ISPM-15 exemptions do not apply to direct shipping between Malaysia and Singapore. The rules for international shipping from Malaysia to Singapore must be observed.

A proposal to repeal the ISPM-15 exemption between MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE is made Amendment to remove the exemption. The matter is currently being reviewed. The countries have been examining the possibility of regulating WPMs that are shipped over their borders since December 2010.

Although ISPM-15 standards have been adopted, no date has been set for their full implementation. After the regulations have been approved, any WPMs found not to be in compliance with the standards will be banned from entering any country. Wood pallets that are found to have pests on arrival will need to be treated again before being returned to their country of origin. All costs incurred will be borne by the carrier of the shipment.

MYPALLETMARKET – JS PALLET SDN BHD. Heat treatment is performed in a 1500 square foot chamber. This allows for the certification of new and used wood pallets as well as other WPMs. We are confident that ISPM-15 compliance is possible because of our years of experience in IPPC Pallet business. We are committed to customer satisfaction. Call us at +60167795133 for wood pallet design, repair pallet and other services in Malaysia.