Exporting goods on pallets?

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) decreed that from May 1, 2006, wooden pallets exported from Australia to most countries must comply with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication 15 (ISPM 15). As an added service for our valued clients, Enviro Pallets has installed a heat treatment module which ensures all pallets being exported by clients meet the strict IPPC regulations and are therefore ISPM 15 compliant. Australia is one of 157 national governments which are members of IPPC, an international treaty organisation that works to prevent the international spread of plant diseases. Its functions include the maintenance of lists of plant pests, tracking of pest outbreaks, and coordination of technical assistance between member nations. ISPM 15 is a measure developed by IPPC that directly addresses the need to sanitise certain material used to ship products between countries. It affects items like shipping pallets and requires that pallets be heat treated or chemically fumigated, or made from alternative material, like paper (cardboard). Due to the IPPC regulations, most pallets shipped across national borders must be made of materials that are incapable of being a carrier of invasive species of insects and plant diseases. Pallets made of raw untreated wood, are not compliant with ISPM 15. To be compliant the pallets must be treated by either of the following means under the supervision of an approved agency such as Enviro Pallets. Heat treatment The wood must be heated to achieve a minimum core temperature of 56ºC for at least 30 minutes. Pallets treated via this method bear the initials HT by the IPPC logo. Chemical fumigation The wood must be fumigated with methyl bromide. Pallets treated via this method bear the initials MB by the IPPC logo. Pallets made of non-wood materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, or made of engineered wood products, such as plywood, oriented strand board, or cardboard do not need IPPC approval. For further information on ISPM 15 and the export of pallets, contact the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service on 1800 020 504 or 02 6272 3933 www.daff.gov.au .