ISPM - 15 Fumigation

ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is a standard developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) that governs the treatment of wood packaging materials (WPM) used in international trade. The purpose of ISPM-15 is to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases across borders, ensuring that wood packaging materials such as pallets, crates, and boxes do not harbor invasive pests when moved between countries.

Key Elements of ISPM-15 Fumigation

ISPM-15 provides guidelines for treating wood packaging materials to eliminate pests. Fumigation is one of the treatment methods allowed under ISPM-15, particularly for infested wood materials. Below is an overview of ISPM-15 fumigation, including its requirements, processes, and significance:

1. Approved Fumigation Treatments Under ISPM-15:

ISPM-15 recognizes several treatment methods for wood packaging materials to eliminate harmful pests. These treatments include:

• Heat Treatment (HT): The wood is heated to a core temperature of at least 56°C (132.8°F) for a minimum of 30 minutes to kill any pests and pathogens.
• Fumigation: This treatment uses methyl bromide (MB) or phosphine to eliminate pests in wood packaging materials.