To understand the rigor of the ISPM15 certification, below is an explanation of the regulation as outlined on the fitok website.

 

WHAT it is:

  • IPPC: The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is a multilateral treaty aimed at harmonizing regulations governing imports that could negatively impact the health of forests and crops.
  • ISPM-15: This IPPC standard describes phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introducing and/or spreading quarantine pests associated with raw wood packaging material made of softwood and hardwood, used in international trade. Pests of particular concern include the pinewood nematode (present in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan, where it poses no threat due to natural predators) and the Asian longhorned beetle (present in China and many other locations, posing a threat to U.S. forests).

WHY:

The IPPC’s goal is to protect crops and forests by preventing the import of foreign pests without hindering international trade.

WHO:

The ISPM-15 regulation was initially approved by 118 countries, including the United States and most of Italy’s main trade partners. Currently, 134 countries are signatories to the treaty. China, although not an IPPC member, has adopted ISPM-15 provisions. In Italy, since July 13, 2005, the regulation falls under the responsibility of the Consorzio Servizi Legno-Sughero, under the direct supervision of the Regional Phytosanitary Service (NPPO).

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ISPM15 applies to “all wood or wood products used for the support, protection, or transport of goods”:

  • Solid wood packaging material made from coniferous or non-coniferous wood.
  • Wooden packaging such as new and used pallets, dunnage, crates, boxes, barrels, reels, and loading platforms.

ISPM15 does NOT apply to:

  • Wood packaging material entirely made of thin wood (thickness: 6 mm or less).
  • Wood packaging entirely made (including structures and supports) from industrially processed wood products such as plywood, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), veneers, particle board blocks, rotary-cut wood, sawdust, wood chips, and wood wool.

In Italy, the Wood-Cork Services Consortium, through the FITOK technical committee, has been recognized by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Policies as the Managing Body for the IPPC/FAO mark.

The FITOK system ensures the correct production of ISPM-15-compliant packaging, providing users with safety and traceability.

As a FITOK member company, Mozzone Fratelli S.r.l. undergoes multiple annual inspections by certified European inspectors. These inspections monitor raw material acceptance and selection procedures, as well as the production of the finished packaging. We stay up-to-date on new regulations and technologies related to phytosanitary treatment, wood processing, and marking.

In summary, the FITOK system minimizes the risk of phytosanitary disputes and customs delays, ensuring clients receive a high-quality product.

Since 2005, Mozzone Fratelli S.r.l. has been authorized to use the FITOK mark as a producer of HT-treated packaging materials.

Our materials are made with HT-treated wood, compliant with ISPM 15 IPPC/FAO, and are registered with the Italian FitOK body.

Each package is guaranteed by a phytosanitary management system and is stamped with a code identifying our company and the production batch.

The apposition of the FitOK mark signifies that internationally accepted phytosanitary measures have been applied.

*The FAO ISPM 15 HT treatment is mandatory for the shipment of goods to most countries outside the European Community.

This is the list of countries:

Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Cuba, District of Columbia, Ecuador, Egypt, Philippines, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands, Israel, Kenya, Korea, Lesotho, Lebanon, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, French Polynesia, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Republic of Georgia, Dominican Republic, Russia (Russian Federation), Samoa, American Samoa, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Syria, Sri Lanka, United States, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, European Union, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.