What Is the ISPM-15 Certificate? Its Importance and Application Process in Wood Export
The ISPM-15 certificate is a plant health standard required for wood packaging and cladding materials used in international trade. ISPM-15, which stands for “International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15,” was developed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to prevent the spread of harmful insects and diseases between countries through wood.
Why Is the ISPM-15 Certificate Required?
By its natural structure, wood can harbor various insects, fungi, and plant diseases. The use of untreated wood in international trade can carry these pests to new countries and cause serious ecological damage. The ISPM-15 certificate requires that wood be treated using approved methods such as heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation to eliminate this risk.
More than 180 countries, including the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, apply the ISPM-15 standard. It is not possible to export wood products to these countries without an ISPM-15 certificate.
Methods Used in ISPM-15 Application
Wood materials must undergo at least one of the following approved treatments to obtain the ISPM-15 certificate.
Heat Treatment (HT): The wood is heated for 30 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 56°C. It is the most widely used method and is eco-friendly as it contains no chemicals.
Dielectric Heating (DH): The wood is rapidly and uniformly heated using microwave technology. It is particularly preferred for thick-section wood materials.
Methyl Bromide Fumigation (MB): The wood is treated with methyl bromide gas. However, due to its environmental effects, its use is restricted or banned in many countries.
After the process is successfully completed, the ISPM-15 mark is applied to the wood material. This mark contains the treatment code applied, the country code, and the authorized organization number.
Alesta Naturel’s ISPM-15 Certification
As Alesta Naturel, we carry out fully ISPM-15 compliant production at our plywood production facility in Sakarya Akyazı. All our export products are inspected by authorized organizations, subjected to the required treatments, and marked with the ISPM-15 stamp.
Thanks to this certification, we are able to carry out uninterrupted exports to many European countries, primarily Germany, Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Our customers can be assured that our ISPM-15 certified products will not encounter any obstacles in customs processes.
For more information about the ISPM-15 standard and application requirements, you can visit the IPPC’s official website.
For detailed information about the ISPM-15 certification of our plywood and veneer products, you can contact our team.
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Valid Standard in 180+ Countries
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Eco-Friendly Application with Heat Treatment
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Uninterrupted Export to Europe
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Authorized Body Inspection
F.A.Q
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Can export be done without the ISPM-15 certificate?
No. More than 180 countries, primarily the European Union, do not accept wood products without an ISPM-15 certificate. Products without certification are held at customs or returned.
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What does the ISPM-15 mark on wood indicate?
The ISPM-15 mark on wood shows the type of treatment applied (HT, DH, or MB), the country code, and the authorized organization number. This mark proves that the product has been processed in accordance with international standards.
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Are Alesta Naturel products ISPM-15 certified?
Yes, all our export products are processed in compliance with ISPM-15 standards and inspected by authorized organizations.
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How long does ISPM-15 heat treatment take?
In heat treatment, the wood must reach an internal temperature of at least 56°C and remain at this temperature for 30 minutes. The total duration varies depending on the thickness and density of the wood.
