International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15)

International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) is an International Phytosanitary Measure developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) that directly addresses the need to treat wood materials of a thickness greater than 6mm, used to ship products between countries. Its main purpose is to prevent the international transport and spread of disease and insects that could negatively affect plants or ecosystems. ISPM 15 affects all wood packaging material (pallets, crates, dunnages, etc.) requiring that they be debarked and then heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and stamped or branded, with a mark of compliance. Products exempt from the ISPM 15 are made from alternative material, like corrugated paper or plastic.

Update

The Revision of ISPM No. 15 (2009) under Annex 1, requires that wood used to manufacture ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging must be made from debarked wood (not to be confused with bark free wood). ISPM 15 was updated to adopt the bark restriction regulations proposed by the European Union in 2009. Australia held out for approximately one year with more stringent bark restrictions before conforming July 1, 2010.

Stamp

ISMP 15 stamp

Countries participating in ISPM 15

Although this is only a reference, confirmation with the export authority when exporting to another country is required. This is a complete list as of July 1, 2010.

Countries and their approximate ISPM 15 Adoption Date:
  • Argentina: June 2006
  • Australia: Sept 2004; Complete Adoption: July 2010
  • Bolivia: July 2005
  • Brazil: June 2005
  • Bulgaria: Jan 2006
  • Canada: Sept 2005 (US-Canada exemption)
  • Chile: June 2005
  • China: Jan 2006
  • Colombia: Sept 2005
  • Costa Rica: Mar 2006
  • Croatia: Jan 2007
  • Cuba: Oct 2008
  • Dominican Republic: July 2006
  • Ecuador: Sept 2005
  • Egypt: Oct 2005
  • European Union: Mar 2005
    • Austria
    • Belgium
    • Bulgaria
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Estonia
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Hungary
    • Ireland
    • Italy
    • Latvia
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Malta
    • Netherlands
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Romania
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Spain
    • Sweden
    • United Kingdom.
  • Guatemala: Sept 2005
  • Honduras: Feb 2006
  • India: Nov 2004
  • Indonesia: Sept 2009
  • Israel: June 2009
  • Japan: Apr 2007
  • Jordan: Nov 2005
  • Kenya: Jan 2006
  • Lebanon: Mar 2006
  • Malaysia: Jan 2010
  • Mexico: Sept 2005
  • New Zealand: April 2003
  • Nicaragua: Feb 2006
  • Nigeria: Sept 2004
  • Norway: July 2008
  • Oman: Dec 2006
  • Paraguay: June 2005
  • Peru: Mar 2005
  • Philippines: June 2005
  • Seychelles: Mar 2006
  • South Africa: Jan 2005
  • South Korea: June 2005
  • Sri Lanka: Mar 2004
  • Switzerland: Mar 2005
  • Syria: April 2006
  • Thailand: February 2010
  • Taiwan: Jan 2009
  • Trinidad & Tobago: July 2010
  • Turkey: Jan 2006
  • United States
  • Ukraine: Oct 2005
  • Venezuela: June 2005
  • Vietnam: June 2005