What Is ISPM15 Treated Wood?

The UK import and export industry is strictly regulated by the government. From customs declarations to compliance with international shipping standards, your business needs to adhere to both national and global rules in order to steer clear of issues. But what about the timber you use for shipping? Whether you are choosing softwood or hardwood Beech pallets, make sure you understand the ISPM15 regulations by following this no-nonsense guide.

What Is ISPM15 Treated Wood?

ISPM15 actually refers to the International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures. This is a regulation set out for the global shipping industry to prevent the spread of pests and diseases when timber is used in imports and exports around the world.

Specifically, ISPM15 requires that all timber packaging materials (including timber pallets and crates) be treated to remove pests and disease pathogens, making them safe for use when importing goods.

How Is ISPM15 Timber Treated?

Treating timber to meet ISPM15 standards typically involves using heat. By exposing the timber to high temperatures, any lingering bugs, insects, bacteria and viruses are killed, reducing the risk of spreading contaminants to other countries. In some cases, the timber is fumigated instead, using methyl bromide to treat the timber effectively.

Typically, softwoods are treated to ISPM15 standards. However, there are also hardwoods which can benefit from heat treatments to kill pests and diseases, including hardwood Beech.

Any timber which has been treated to meet ISPM15 will be stamped with a clear mark of compliance.

Why Is Treating Imported Timber Important?

When using hardwood Beech timber pallets in the import and export industry for example, treating them to meet ISPM15 regulations helps prevent the spread of invasive pests and infectious diseases. This is particularly important for local ecosystems, which can be disrupted by the arrival of a foreign pest with devastating consequences.

For example, one of the insects targeted by treatment is the Asian longhorn beetle, which is known for causing damage to hardwood trees. By keeping it out of non-native countries, such as the UK, we can protect our local woodland and ecosystems.

ISPM15 maintains balance in contrasting environments, while still enabling businesses to ship goods around the world.

Where Can You Find ISPM15 Treated Timber?

At EcoChoice, we make compliance with ISPM15 standards easy by supplying pre-treated softwoods or hardwood Beech. All of our timber is sourced from sustainably managed forests and our team has an eye for high-quality wood.

Start an order for ISPM15 timber today.