LEFCO Worthington provides ISPM #15 stamping services for its customers’ international shipping requirements. We are experts in enabling our customers to ship globally. LEFCO provides a comprehensive source of regulatory documentation pertaining to ISPM #15 requirements. If you are shipping overseas, it is imperative that you read the following information and featured documentation. If you have questions regarding the specifics of the ISPM #15 certification, contact us directly at tel: 216.432.4422 or via email at InsideSales@LEFCOWorthington.com.

-ISPM #15-

The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures publication number 15 (“ISPM #15”) is the regulation of wood packaging material (WPM) in international trade. The regulations were established in 1952 to assist in the prevention of the worldwide spread of plant pests and diseases by using specially treated wooden packaging material (WPM). As part of the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) controls the regulations through the cooperation of member governments of the United Nations.

More than 175 countries are signatories to IPPC, which have developed 34 Measures, specifically the #15 Measure which regulates wood packaging materials in international trade. Over 150 countries have adopted ISPM #15 as a means to significantly reduce the phytosanitary concerns related to growing global trade and the spread of pests through solid wood packaging materials.

ISPM #15 applies to coniferous softwood and non-coniferous hardwood used as raw wood packaging material. The standard does not apply to wood packaging made wholly of manufactured wood-based products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board (OSB) or products created using glue.

As a leading importer, the US has several examples of invasive pests introduced into the country such as the Asian Long-horned Beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, and the Dutch Elm Disease. Most all can be traced back to shipments received where the non-heat treated solid wood packaging materials contained these forest destructive pests.

You can tell if the wood packaging material has been treated by looking for the special IPPC mark. See the below pictures as examples or feel free to contact us directly to discuss the ISPM #15 regulatory requirements at tel: 216.432.4422 or via email at InsideSales@LEFCOWorthington.com.

INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED TYPES OF HEAT TREATMENT THAT MEET ISPM #15 REQUIREMENTS

There are several options of preparing lumber for international export. The two most commonly used methods are heat treatment and kiln dried, both are effective in meeting the requirements of ISPM #15. LEFCO Worthington purchases KDHT lumber; lumber that is both kiln dried and heat treated, to ensure that its products meet the stringent requirements of ISPM #15. In addition, LEFCO’s employees are trained to inspect lumber to ensure that the material is free from pests, mold and fungus, or large areas of bark, where insects may to burrow.

The following are examples of heat treatment methods used to meet ISPM #15 certification requirements. Even when employing these methods, companies must still  stamp each piece of lumber with an ISPM #15 stamp. LEFCO Worthington is certified to apply its ISPM #15 stamp to the lumber, crates, and pallets and it sells.

1. HT (Heat Treatment) – The wood need to be heated until its core reaches 56 °C for at least 30 minutes.
2. Kiln-dried (KD): Similar to the standard HT, but it also requires moisture’s standards.
3. Mobile Heat Treatment (HT): Heat treatment conducted in heating chambers installed in trucks. Allows the treatment to be done anywhere.
4. Portable Chamber Process (PCP – HT): Heat treatment conducted in portable chambers made of thermal fabric. Allows the treatment to be done anywhere, but with lower costs. The process’ patent requirement belongs to a Brazilian company.
5. Fast Container Connector (FCC – HT): Heat treatment conducted directly in containers by a mobile heating unit. Its a simplified variation of PCP. Ideal for ports and terminals.
6. MB (Methyl Bromide) – Requires to completely fill an area with gaseous pesticide (methyl bromide). This HT method was officially banned starting December 2015.

These treatment processes must be applied to all solid wood packaging materials, lumber, timbers, or smaller items. There are some exempt materials, such as composite wood productions, such as plywood, particleboard, Oriented Strand board (OSB), flake board, and veneers. These composite products are exempt due to the high temperatures used in their manufacturing process. See the above Plywood Exempt – ISPM #15 attached document.