Why do exported pallets need ISPM15 treatment?

From 1st January 2021, all wooden pallets and wood packaging moving between the UK and the EU must meet ISPM 15 international standards by undergoing heat treatment and marking. Heat treatment is a phyto-sanitary process developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a treaty recognised by the World Trade Organisation and overseen by the Food and Agriculture Organisation that “aims to secure coordinated, effective action to prevent and to control the spread of pests in plant products.

This wood pallet treatment is desirable for a number of reasons. First off, it is necessary to be able to ship internationally, as the heat will kill off any wood burrowing insects and protect the wood from any infestation. Keeping the core heated for 30 minutes ensures all insects and larvae are killed off. This prevents insects from spreading and invading areas, especially places they are not native.

During the heat treatment process, wooden pallets are heated to a core temperature of 140 degrees. Once this process has been completed the wooden pallets are stamped with a mark of compliance with the ISPM 15 standards and can then be used and reused to ship goods internationally. JK Pallets are certified to perform the heat treatment process necessary to be in compliance with ISPM-15 and we have the capacity to heat treat a large volume of wooden pallets if required. 

For pallets that will never be exported, no heat treating or fumigation is required. Only pallets that will be exported to other countries need be heat treated.

If you are interested in any more information about our heat treatment process or having your wooden pallets heat treated then please email info@jkpallets.com