The Benefits of ISPM 15 for Packaging Firms

Almost 95% of all deliveries made in the global distribution industry are packaged with one form of timber or another; from wooden pallets to packing cases, crates to dunnage. But until recently this wood was not subject to any international standards. This often resulted in environmental damage, as pests were spread from country to country, and ecosystem to ecosystem.

In a globalised world, with countries trading across borders like never before, this risk to the environment has grown at an exponential rate. So the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) introduced an international protocol known as the 'International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Number 15', or 'ISPM 15' for short. This had two major benefits; it helped to protect the environment of every country that signed up, and it gave a safe and reliable standard for businesses in the timber transit packaging industry to adhere to.

ISPM 15 standards

IPSM 15 standards apply to all forms of solid wood, "including pallets, dunnage, crating, packing blocks, drums, cases, load boards, pallet collars and skids". They require that this wood is treated, either by heating it to a core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for thirty minutes, or by fumigating it with methyl bromide. Since fumigation can have negative effects on the atmosphere, and is being phased out by the 'Montreal Protocol on Substances that Decrease the Ozone Layer', heating is the treatment that is most commonly used.

Pest control

The main benefit of following the ISPM 15 regulations for timber transit packaging firms is that it allows them to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

This was not always the case; it was only in the 1980s and 90s that real research into the subject got underway. A growing fear that pests could spread via wooden packaging was confirmed by research conducted in 1997, which found that out of fifty wooden spools shipped from Asia to Canada, 24% contained wood-boring insects.

The true effect of insect migration is still be discovered, but there are many examples of instances where it has had a negative impact on forests and woodlands. Sirex woodwasp is thought to have found its way into Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in wooden packaging, and the red turpentine beetle is thought to have entered China’s pine forests in casings made from infested North American wood. Tree-killing insects such as the Asian long-horned beetle, emerald ash borer and brown spruce longhorn beetle, are currently attacking trees across North America, having arrived there in packing materials that were shipped from Asia.

Fortunately, the IPSM 15 regulations are putting an end to a spread of these pests. Packages could be rejected or even destroyed upon arrival at their destination, if they have been packed with non-compliant wood, and forests across the world set to benefit.

International standards

A secondary benefit for timber transit packing firms, is that the ISPM 15 is truly international. No longer will they have to comply with one set of regulations in one country, and a separate set of regulations in another. Firms operating out of countries with stringent safety protocols will not be made uncompetitive when competing with firms based in nations with fewer regulations.

The ISPM 15 regulations have been adopted from Argentina to Vietnam, and from Australia to Venezuela. In all, 77 countries had signed up to ISPM 15 by 2010, including 28 nations in the EU, and leading industrial nations such as Japan and the USA. Developing nations, which often do not have the infrastructure to enforce regulations, are also doing their best to come on board, and are likely to sign up over the course of the next decade.

ISPM 15 operates like a passport for timber packaging. Wood that is ISPM 15 compliant is stamped with a logo, which allows it to be traced, and verifies that the timber is free from infestation. This saves the need for tiresome and time consuming tests when importing packages, ensuring that transit firms can get on with what they do best; transporting vital packages across the world in a timely and safe fashion.

For more information on ISPM 15 wooden pallets, cases and crates, you can visit the Nicklin website.

Why Choose Timber for Transit Packaging

There are a number of reasons why using timber for transit packaging is still the top choice with companies throughout the UK and around the world and, despite the competition from the likes of plastic or metal, timber is still hard to beat. So what exactly are the benefits of using timber packaging over any other materials?

Environmental impact

Trees are known to help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Trees absorb CO2 - one of the main causes of global warming - which they use to grow, and the payoff for us is that they release oxygen back into the atmosphere. Timber used for transit packaging can be in the form of wooden pallets, cases or crates and using these products is one way of helping to sustain forests. It’s estimated that in Europe some 400 million timber pallets are produced every year, representing a saving of 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. 

Carbon neutral

Trees are also carbon neutral, so that as well as being beautiful to look at, providing us with shade, material to build shelter, and a source of food and energy, when a tree reaches the end of its natural life and rots or is burned, it releases the same amount of carbon dioxide it has stored. 

Use and use again

Wooden crates, cases, pallets, in fact any type of timber packaging, is naturally strong and durable and can stand a fair amount of handling – rough or otherwise – without suffering significant damage. When it is damaged, timber can be easily repaired and, if beyond repair, it can be recycled or reused in some other guise. Even when the humble pallet reaches the end of its productive life, it can be burned as an alternative to some other fossil fuels to generate power or heat for domestic and commercial purposes. Timber can also be shredded or chipped to be used as bedding for livestock, in the garden, playground, or as a natural product for landscaping projects.

Green credentials

Companies who choose to use timber transit packaging over plastic or steel are also sending out a message to their customers and the public as a whole. It may be a subtle message but it is still one worth making. Using a natural and organic material and one that is sustainable, such as timber, is a tangible way of showing consideration for the environment. 

Cost effective

Choosing to use timber transit packaging is also cost effective. Wooden packaging is in plentiful supply and is available in the UK, so there are no air miles involved in importing the material. Wood for packaging is relatively inexpensive to buy, is durable and dependable, cheap to repair and can be recycled when no longer good for its prime purpose.

More for less

One last point in favour of timber packaging over plastic or metals, is the fact that during the production process, timber has a so-called negative carbon intensity. In plain language, this means that the level of carbon dioxide stored during production and transportation, is greater than the process itself produced!

For more information on timber for transit packaging, you can visit the Nicklin website.

How Innovative Packaging Designs Are Helping To Reduce Waste

If you work in the packaging industry, then you’ll be aware that there have been huge changes in recent years which have contributed to packaging companies overhauling outdated packaging solutions.  The government and consumers have put pressure on packaging firms to not only reduce the amount of packaging used for a product, but to also use recycled components where possible as well as making sure that the packaging can be reused or recycled after its initial use.  Of course, whilst this has been happening, consumers also want to ensure that their product is sufficiently packaged so that it is not damaged by the time they wish to use it!

Redesign

With the changes in criteria which packaging firms need to meet, designers have really had to think outside the box in order to come up with brand new solutions which are not only environmentally friendly, but also fit for purpose.  They’ve had to cut any unnecessary materials from the packaging so as to reduce waste right from the onset, and in many cases this has helped to reduce the cost of the unit.  Just think about Easter eggs; in the past, chocolate eggs would be wrapped in foil before being encased in a plastic shell which was placed inside a cardboard box.  These days, the eggs are simply covered in foil and then placed inside the cardboard box which features an integrated cardboard base which the egg can sit inside to prevent it from rolling around the box.

Food Wastage

A recent report¹  stated that the UK has managed to reduce food wastage in the supply chain to just 3% - when you compare this to Russia whose levels are at 40%, you can see that the UK has had great success at implementing successful changes.  Food wastage is common and previously poor packaging may have contributed to high levels of waste, but this seems be being bought under control by some innovative packaging designers.

Celebrations

The packaging industry is one of the main industries which has had to make significant changes in recent years in response to public demand, and so far, the changes have been extremely positive.  However, no industry should remain complacent, and packaging designers should continue to come up with new designs and ideas which will help to continue to transport the way we see packaging in years to come.

If you require any help with packaging for your product or if you require advice on UK packaging legislation, please feel free to visit the Nicklin website.  

Source ¹: http://www.packagingeurope.com/

Why Are ISPM 15 Standards So Important For International Trade?

By law, all timber transit packaging must be compliant with ISPM 15 in order to be shipped internationally. ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures for Wood Packaging) are the globally recognised standards for the treatment of all solid wood packaging materials. In order to be ISPM15 compliant, wood packaging must be heat treated. This means that wood is heated to a minimum temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes.

Roughly 95% of all international deliveries are made using some form of solid wood transit packaging, whether it be timber pallets, timber packing cases or timber crates. However, the international timber trade greatly increases the risk for the transfer of foreign pests or even wood diseases from one country to another if unprocessed. Understandably, this could have the potential to have terrible effects on native timber, as well as affecting a country’s ecosystem. In some cases, insects carried in timber packaging could even cause illness to humans.

ISPM 15 compliant heat treating is therefore essential to prevent the dangerous spread of pests and disease. By heat treating wooden packaging solutions, insects, bacteria, disease and other threats to ecosystems can be killed off, leaving wooden packaging safe to be transported. An ISPM 15 mark allows packages to be traced, and verifies that the wood used is free from any infestation.

At Nicklin, you can be sure that our wooden packaging solutions comply with international standards, as not only are our products marked as ISPM 15 compliant, you can trust that all timber is correctly heat treated as we have the facilities to do this on site. We have a specialist heat treating kiln on site, allowing us to take complete control of the ISPM 15 heat treating process of all of our timber pallets, cases and crates. Our customers can be confident that everything in our power is done to prevent the spread of pests and disease through global shipping.

If you are unsure about which countries outside of the European Union require timber transit packaging to be ISPM 15 compliant, you can view our global guide for more information.

5 Tips To Staying Safe When Using Wooden Pallets

Wooden pallets may seem harmless enough, but if not handled correctly they can cause goods to become damaged or people to become injured.  Here are our top tips on using wooden pallets safely:

1.       Ensure your pallets are constructed correctly

It may sound obvious, but a poorly constructed pallet can cause a fair amount of damage – just imagine a forklift truck loaded up with a large consignment, only for the bottle of the wooden pallet to fall out due to shoddy workmanship.  The goods could fall onto the floor and become unfit for use, causing unnecessary waste and expense.

2.       Avoid stacking the pallets too high

Pallets will have an optimum number to which they can be stacked – and if you go over this then you stand a good chance of causing the stack to topple over.  Whilst pallets have been designed to stack easily so as to reduce the amount of floor space needed to store them, take care not to stack the pile too high.

3.       Don’t stack different types of pallets together

European and UK pallets are not the same size, so avoid stacking them in the same pile.  Instead, separate the different types of pallets so that they stack evenly and safely.

4.       Maintain your pallets

Wooden pallets take a lot of knocking about from fork lift trucks when being moved from warehouse to lorries to ferries.  They are therefore at risk from being damaged or broken – but provided they are checked on a regular basis, most pallets can be repaired fairly easily meaning they can be re-used time after time. Inspect each pallet carefully to look for cracks in the wood or any nails showing and repair appropriately.

5.       Be aware of weight limits

Most pallets will have a maximum weight which they can bear – if you place goods on the pallet which exceeds this weight then be prepared for the pallets to break!  Pallets have a weight limit to ensure safety so it is important these rules are followed closely. 

If you need bespoke wooden pallets for your organisation or if you need any additional advice regarding using wooden pallets, feel free to visit the Nicklin website.

Are Foreign Pests Hiding In Your Wooden Pallets?

Those who have been working in the transit packaging solutions trade for a number of years will know all about ensuring that the timber used in the packaging meets ISPM 15 standards.  But if you’re new to the industry or if you are thinking about importing and exporting goods internationally, you may want to read a little more about what the ISPM 15 standards involve and why they are so important.

Firstly, what does ISPM stand for?  It is the acronym for the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures for Wood Packaging.  These are standards which are recognised all over the world and they prove that the timber used within the packaging has been treated effectively so as to reduce the risk of contaminated wood being transported.  Wood can harbour all sorts of pests and timber diseases, so it is vital that all wood is treated correctly so that it does not spread disease.

You may be wondering how the timber is treated and what the process involves.  It is actually very simple, the wood is heated up to a minimum core temperature of 56°C for at least 30 minutes.  This is sufficient enough to kill off any pesky pests or dangerous diseases and means that the timber is safe to be used for transport packaging. It has been said that up to 95% of all international deliveries will use a type of wooden transit packaging, which shows the potential for timber diseases and pests to spread if the wood has not been treated effectively.    

Once the wood has been treated and has become ISPM 15 compliant, it can be marked as below:

Image copyright of Nicklin

The image shows that the timber pallet or crate has been declared to be free from pests and diseases, and is safe to be used as a method of packaging for international use. 

Some transit packaging solutions providers are able to treat timber on their own premises, but others will need to purchase the timber from an external provider.  This can occasionally push the price of the timber up, but it is essential that only treated wood is used for international export. 

To find out more about the ISPM 15 standards or to contact a company which can treat timber on their own site, feel free to visit the Nicklin website.

Why Timber Packaging Crates Are So Popular

Timber packaging crates have been in use for a number years, primarily because they are extremely durable, they are economical and they are also environmentally friendly.  The wooden crates can easily be branded or stencilled so that they can be identified easily, which is particularly important if the packaging crates are going to be shipped overseas.

Although other packaging cases may be made from metal or plastic, wood seems to be the material of choice because of its number of huge benefits.  Timber is a sustainable material as long as the wood is derived from a source where for every tree knocked down to produce wood, at least one more tree is planted.  More and more individuals as well as businesses are trying to use products which are environmentally friendly wherever possible so as to try to reduce their carbon footprint.

Another advantage of using wooden packaging, such as wooden pallets, is that the products can be used again and again.  Although they may become a little damaged over time, the broken sections of the pallets can be repaired or replaced ready for the pallet to be used again on another consignment.  The fact that the wooden pallets can be recycled time and time again renders them extremely cost efficient and therefore very popular with businesses which are looking to reduce costs.

All sorts of products can be transported on wooden crates or pallets.  Those items which need extra protection either from weather conditions or perhaps for safety reasons should ideally be stored in a timber case.  A timber case will offer more protection than a crate or a pallet because it will have vertical as well as horizontal sheathing members on the six sides of the case.  However, a crate or a pallet may be sufficient depending on the contents of the goods.

Crates, pallets and cases can all be stacked one on top of another in a neat and logical way.  A fork lift truck should be able to manoeuvre the items to the relevant destination, whether they are in a warehouse or on the back of a lorry, so that they are stacked neatly and safely.

If you are interested in packaging crates or wooden pallets then feel free to visit the Nicklin website for further information.