Protecting Our Ecosystem One Pallet At A Time

Millwood Inc. has recognized and accepted ISPM 15 to address the global spread of timber pests by regulating the movement of pallets, timber packing and dunnage to reduce the risk of introduction and/or the spread of pests associated with solid lumber materials.

About ISPM 15

ispm15

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 (new pallets, shipping 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. This mark of compliance is colloquially known as the "wheat stamp." Products exempt from the ISPM 15 are made from alternative material, like paper, plastic or wood panel products (i.e. OSB, hardboard, and plywood).

While methyl bromide is accepted in the standard, almost all of the U.S. pallet suppliers use the heat treat method. This requires the core of the largest pallet component to be heated to 140F and held for 30 minutes.