In short, this standard determined that all non-manufactured wood packaging for export (including pallets, crating and loose wood dunnage) must be treated, either by heat or fumigation.
"Manufactured wood " includes such materials as oriented strand board (OSB), particle board, presswood, etc. The process by which they are produced renders them free of pests.
Heat treatment and fumigation are deemed "permanent" treatments and do not have an "expiry date". Such packaging is suitable for export and re-export, as long as none of the package's components are replaced.
Once treated, the packaging must be marked with internationally recognized IPPC markings, which indicate the country of origin and treatment method used.
Paper certification will no longer be required by most countries who have adopted the ISPM-15. The markings on the packaging will suffice.
Heat treating or "HT " is the process of heating wood or wood packaging at a certain temperature for a certain length of time such that the core temperature of the wood reaches 56 degrees C for a minimum period of 30 minutes.
Once this is achieved, it is accepted by most industrialized countries that the wood is free of pests that could be harmful to forests.
Heat treating is considered an environmentally preferable alternative to fumigation.
