01 Standard
02 International standard on wood packaging
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15 sets out the mandatory phytosanitary measures for reducing the risk of pests being introduced and spread through wood packaging. Those measures include disinsection treatments and the destruction of crates and packaging suspected of an infestation liable to develop into a pest. The European Union incorporated the phytosanitary treatments of this standard into Community law by amending Directive 2000/29/EC, which came into force in March 2005.
These guidelines apply to all packaging made of raw coniferous and non-coniferous wood that may act as a pathway for the introduction of pests, and which pose a threat above all to trees and living plants.
Compliance with ISPM No. 15 is mandatory for any wood packaging, such as:
- Pallets.
- Dunnage, used to secure or support the load.
- Crates, blocks, barrels and cases.
- Loading boards.
Pallet collars and chocks. Plywood is exempt from treatment, and the following wording may be displayed visibly on the outside of the crate, stating its exemption from phytosanitary treatment: “Packing materials used area exempt of phytosanitary treatment. FAO NIMF n 15”.
