ISPM15 stands for the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Regulation Number 15. 

As from the 1^st January 2021, the ISPM15 regulation requires all non-manufactured wood packaging material (including wooden pallets), used in international trade, to be heat-treated prior to use. In order to prove this, the material (or wooden pallet) must be stamped with the official ISPM15 mark to prove they comply with the regulation.

Why do pallets need to be heat treated?

The ISPM15 regulation has been brought in to prevent and control pest infestations. There are millions of pallets that enter and exit the United Kingdom every year, and billions around the globe. Untreated wood is at risk of infestations and other contaminate, which could cause risk or harm to humans, animals or plants. With the recent outbreak of Covid-19 causing a global pandemic, we can all appreciate (and put into perspective) the mass implications of poor infection and hygiene control, which gives some context around why regulations such as ISPM15 are put into place. 

Heat treatment has been proven to be one of the most successful and effective ways to eradicate disease and infestation in woods, as it is without the use of chemicals, which can potentially cause cross contamination (and would be particularly problematic in certain industries such as food). 

How does ISPM15 affect my business?

If your company operates outside of the UK, e.g. it exports to or imports from Europe or the rest of the world, then you are obliged to comply with ISPM15. That means, in the context of pallets, your goods must be transported on ISPM15 compliant pallets.

If you’re exporting solid wood packaging from Northern Ireland to the EU, you do not need to meet ISPM15 standards.

If you’re moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the wood packaging must meet ISPM15 standards.

You can read the full government guidelines here: https://www.gov.uk/wood-packaging-import-export

How are pallets heat-treated at TIPCI?

At TIPCI Group, we are taking ISPM15 extremely seriously, in order to ensure our customers are compliant with the new legislation. For all ISPM15 pallets, we are currently working with a local provider, which is using a specialist kiln, which heats the wood according to the guidelines. The wood is heated until the minimum core temperature has reached 56 degrees Celsius, which is then maintained at this temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Furthermore, TIPCI is investing in our very own specialist kiln! We are currently having our own kiln built at TIPCI HQ so we can carry out the heat treatment process on site. Our new kiln will be in operation in early 2021 – please check back to find out more about this exciting new project. 

You can sign up to our latest insights and news here, and we’ll keep you up to date with new developments such as the launch date of our new kiln.

If you’d like more information on ISPM15, heat-treated pallets, or how TIPCI can help you with your requirements, please contact us

ISPM15 stands for the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Regulation Number 15. 

As from the 1^st January 2021, the ISPM15 regulation requires all non-manufactured wood packaging material (including wooden pallets), used in international trade, to be heat-treated prior to use. In order to prove this, the material (or wooden pallet) must be stamped with the official ISPM15 mark to prove they comply with the regulation.

Why do pallets need to be heat treated?

The ISPM15 regulation has been brought in to prevent and control pest infestations. There are millions of pallets that enter and exit the United Kingdom every year, and billions around the globe. Untreated wood is at risk of infestations and other contaminate, which could cause risk or harm to humans, animals or plants. With the recent outbreak of Covid-19 causing a global pandemic, we can all appreciate (and put into perspective) the mass implications of poor infection and hygiene control, which gives some context around why regulations such as ISPM15 are put into place. 

Heat treatment has been proven to be one of the most successful and effective ways to eradicate disease and infestation in woods, as it is without the use of chemicals, which can potentially cause cross contamination (and would be particularly problematic in certain industries such as food). 

How does ISPM15 affect my business?

If your company operates outside of the UK, e.g. it exports to or imports from Europe or the rest of the world, then you are obliged to comply with ISPM15. That means, in the context of pallets, your goods must be transported on ISPM15 compliant pallets.

If you’re exporting solid wood packaging from Northern Ireland to the EU, you do not need to meet ISPM15 standards.

If you’re moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the wood packaging must meet ISPM15 standards.

You can read the full government guidelines here: https://www.gov.uk/wood-packaging-import-export

How are pallets heat-treated at TIPCI?

At TIPCI Group, we are taking ISPM15 extremely seriously, in order to ensure our customers are compliant with the new legislation. For all ISPM15 pallets, we are currently working with a local provider, which is using a specialist kiln, which heats the wood according to the guidelines. The wood is heated until the minimum core temperature has reached 56 degrees Celsius, which is then maintained at this temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Furthermore, TIPCI is investing in our very own specialist kiln! We are currently having our own kiln built at TIPCI HQ so we can carry out the heat treatment process on site. Our new kiln will be in operation in early 2021 – please check back to find out more about this exciting new project. 

You can sign up to our latest insights and news here, and we’ll keep you up to date with new developments such as the launch date of our new kiln.

If you’d like more information on ISPM15, heat-treated pallets, or how TIPCI can help you with your requirements, please contact us