Labeling instructions

of wood export packages

under Standard ISPM 15

 

 

Written by:

Amit Mizrahi

Mobile No.: 050-6241917

Tele: 03-9681598

Fax: 03-9681571

amitm@moag.gov.il

amitm@moag.gov.il

 

 

Mouti Helil

Mobile No.: 050-6241786

mottyh@moag.gov.il

mottyh@moag.gov.il

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background:

The trade of materials that are packed in wood packaging (pallets / drays / flats) involves high risks that may affect the importing countries, since there are probably pests and diseases inside or around the wood packages that stick to wood materials and which could be transmitted from the exporting countries to the importing countries. In order to reduce the risks involved in wood packages to a minimum, a standard for the sterilization and labeling of wood packages (ISPM 15) was put in place before shipping them overseas.

This standard (ISPM 15) was established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), an organization attached to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) concerned with plant protection entities. The standard requires conducting sterilization / treatment of wood packages before shipping. The treatment specified by the standard is a physical treatment (using heat) or a chemical treatment (using methyl bromide gas), requiring that package material be labelled with special codes which certify that wood packages have been treated as per the standard.

The standard does not apply to MDF sandwich wood treatment (treated boards made of minced wood less than 6 mm thick which are joined together under high heated pressure).

Wood packaging sterilization procedure:

Below are the treatment procedures approved by the standard:

Heated treatment (HI)

                       

 

Or

Methyl Bromide treatment (MB):

 

 

Certification process

The Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture is the only authorized entity that certifies meeting the standard requirements. It is responsible for certifying the entity which handles the matter and it has the power to qualify or disqualify labeling. It also monitors export and verifies that wood packages and manufacturing materials are compatible with the standard.

The producer of pallets and packages is certified to use the labeling after being subject to approval under the supervision of the Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit to ensure that they meet all requirements. Certification is valid for one year and renewal is subject to periodic product monitoring by the Plant Prevention and Control Unit.

Labeling treated packages

Standard certified labelling of wood packing material: 

 

XX- Country Code (IL in Israel)

000 –Identification number of the body authorized to perform treatment by the Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture.

YY – treatment type code: MB for treatment using methyl bromide, and HT for treatment using heat.

The label should be clearly fixed and shown on both sides of the package, not in red or orange. The seal must include a frame and a separate line, as shown in the table above.

 

Liability

The package user must know the requirements of the country of destination concerning the wood packing materials. If the country of destination requires that packages be treated and labeled in accordance with the standard ISPM 15, the producer must verify that the package labeling was treated in accordance with the requirements by consulting a recognized entity authorized by the Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit.

 

The wood packaging producer must ensure the following:

1. To obtain approval from the Plant Prevention and Control Unit through an application form, requesting  wood packaging production certification under standard ISPM 15.
2. To establish an internal working system for producing treated wood packages under the above-mentioned standard and with the approval of the Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit.
3. To verify that the wood used for packing is free of bark, mold and fungi.
4. Ensure the availability of a comprehensive draining system at the sites of production and storage, which must be free of wood microbial.
5. To treat wood in one of the following ways:

1. Cool with methyl bromide gas by a registered insecticide company with a registration number in the Registrar of Companies which is certified by the Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit for storage and quarantine treatment.
2. Use heat treated wood in accordance with the standard (treatment with a certified thermal device with a registration number and registered in the list of insecticidal devices which are certified by the Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit.
3. Purchase wood treated by heat in the countries of origin (KD) with appropriate official certification.

6. To treat wood packaging in their final shapes (ballets, for example), or with raw material in accordance with the method certified by the Plant Protection and Inspection Services Unit under the standard. 
7. To label the package at the end of the treatment as per the requirements of the standard.
8. Wood packages, previously labeled according to requirements, to which new wood that is untreated as per the standard during labeling is added, must be re-treated and re-labeled.
9. To sign a declaration once every year to meet the internal regulatory system and all required amendments in accordance with the amendments pertaining to standard ISPM 15 and other amendments made by the Plant Prevention and Control Management Unit.

Wood packaging regulatory system in accordance with standard ISPM 15 requires the following measures to be carried out:

1. Record the date of the company’s Articles of Association and its full data.
2. Describe the general activity of the company with an emphasis on the process of wood packaging production.
3. Separate the packaging for export and the packaging customized for the local market.
4. Receiving approval on the methods of labeling in accordance with the package and labeling standard (color form/ ink stamping / thermal steal).
5. Documentation of all client’s shipment certificates with a stamped recording of the statement “labeled and treated in accordance with standard ISPM 15”.
6. If treatment was carried out by evaporation with methyl bromide (MB), the following is required:

• Allocate an area of storage for packaging before treatment with a notice that reads “Pre-treated packages BMB”.
• Allocate an area of storage for packaging after treatment with a notice that reads “Treated packages BMB”.
• The Insecticidal process should be conducted by an entity certified by the Plant Prevention and Control Management Unit with reference to the name of the company.

• Documentation of the insecticide company’s certificates of execution.

7. If treatment was carried out by heating (HT), the following is required:

• If the treatment was carried out at thermal facilities, an area for packaging storage must be marked with a notice that reads “Pretreated packages – BHT”.

• If the wood used was subject to treatment by KD heating, an area of storage for raw materials must be marked with a notice that reads “KD wood”.
• Documentation of the certificates of purchase by licensed importers.
• Documentation of the official certificates issued for one year by the inspector of the sawmill conducting KD treatment outside the country. This certificate is requested from importers.