1. What does ISPM15 stand for?

ISPM15 stands for International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures number 15.

2. Where can I check current ISPM standards for specific countries?

Further information is available on the ISPM pages of this website www.ispm15.com

3. Do I need any form of certification to accompany Heat Treated pallets?

To some countries, the IPPC marking on wooden pallet is sufficient. However there are certain countries that requires accompanying certificate. Customers are advice to check with the reciving country for their requirements.

4. What does Heat Treatment mean?

The Heat Treatment stamp on a pallet ensures that the timber has been heat treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for a minimum of 30 minutes - which is the ISPM15 standard

5. Is ISPM 15 treatment of a timber pallet permanent?

There is no shelf life for pallets treated with Heat Treatment. However, the possiblitity of reinfestation is there even after the treatment process. Therefore customers are advice to do the following:

1. To ship out treated WPM the earliest possible time
2. To keep treated WPM in a clean and dry space
3. To ensure that treated WPM are kept at least 5 meters away from non treated pallets

6. Do other countries follow the ISPM 15 treatment standards?

Many countries operate a treatment and marking programme similar to Malaysia whereby each pallet can be traced back to a particular country and manufacturer.

7. Why Choose Heat-Treatment over Chemically-Treated Pallets?

We think that heat treatment is the only safe method for two reasons. First, the U.S. EPA is strongly advocating that the chemical Methyl Bromide be phased out of use due to its toxicity and its alleged effects of contributing to the Ozone level depletion problem.

Secondly, we believe that the use of this chemical creates the potential for legal liability both for you, the shipper, and us, as well as creating intolerable health risks for our employees and all humans who come in contact during the loading, shipping, and unloading operations. Hence, heat treatment is safe, effective and has no legal implications.

8. What if I skip the treatment and decided to ship my products anyway, will it still be accepted by the destination country?

Like we had mentioned before the purpose of heat treating your pallets is to prevent insect or fungi infestations from being transmitted via wood packing materials since shipping pallets often are sent from country to country. If the treatment is not performed, the shipper may be subjected to fines and its product seized for destruction.

9. What kind of materials are exempted for Heat Treatment?

1. Processed Wood Eg Plywood, compressed wood
2. Plastic, paper and metal pallets
3. Bio Composite materials