The aim is to prevent pests, other insects and biological material from being transferred unknowingly from one country to another. Goods packed in wood material that does not comply with the ISPM15 standard will be returned to the Exporter at their expense.

The international ISPM15 requirements on wood pallets apply to all species of coniferous and non-coniferous packaging materials. The standard does not not apply to wood packaging made wholly of products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, medium density fiber board or products created using glue, heat and pressure or a combination of these.

Most member countries have already partially or fully implemented the standards. The EU, Australia, Canada and South Africa are also implementing bans on coniferous wood packaging and in certain cases non-coniferous hardwood packaging, meaning shipping pallets (skids), crates, and wood used to secure ocean cargo loads.

Under the ISPM15 requirements, exporters would be required to heat treat wood packaging material to a minimum core temperature of 56AºC for a minimum of 30 minutes. Exporters could also use Methyl Bromide to fumigate the wood packing.

The following information is a complete extract from AQIS Advice Notice No. 2007/09 regarding ISPM15. ISPM15 requires the use of either heat treatment or fumigation using methyl bromide, as the only two approved methods to enable compliance.

Wood packaging is only recognised as ISPM 15 compliant when the following conditions have been met:

1. It has been treated by an approved treatment; and
2. It bears an internationally recognised certification mark

Under the ISPM15 standard there are currently only two approved forms of treatment:
Heat treatment (a core temperature of 56°C must be reached and maintained for a minimum of 30 minutes); and Fumigation with methyl bromide (as per the table below)

Temperature	Dosage (g/m3)	Minimum concentration (g/m3) at:
		2hrs	4hrs	12hrs	24hrs
21°C or above	48	36	31	28	24
16°C or above	56	42	36	32	28
10°C or above	64	48	42	36	32

The minimum temperature should not be less than 20°C and the minimum exposure time must be 24 hours. (as per conditions).

The mark verifies that the packaging has been subject to an approved treatment and that the material has been produced by an AQIS approved facility. To be recognised as compliant the mark must include:

the IPPC mark,

XX - the country code (AU for Australia)
YY- the treatment code (HT or MB)
OOO - represents the unique Certification.

Exporters should note that countries that are enforcing the ISPM 15 standard will NOT accept fumigation or heat treatment. Certificates in lieu of the internationally recognized mark, even when the packaging has been treated / fumigated.

Wood packaging material that does not bear the Mark / Stamping is considered to be objectionable non-compliant.

Many of Australia’s major trade partners have adopted and are enforcing the ISPM 15 standard. Failure to meet importing country requirements for wood packaging material can have serious consequences for exporters and may result in delayed clearance or even rejection of entire consignments.