ISPM 15: How to Comply with the International Phytosanitary Standard by Properly Marking Your Wooden Pallets

All pallet manufactures operating in international trade must comply with the ISPM 15 regulation, also known as NIMF 15. This international phytosanitary standard is mandatory in order to export, avoid penalties, and eliminate unnecessary costs.

At United Barcode Systems (UBS), we want to help you solve this challenge once and for all. How? With direct printing technology, that not only meets the technical requirements, but also delivers long-term efficiency, traceability, and peace of mind.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know to comply with the regulation, how to correctly mark your pallets according to ISPM 15, and how pallet manufacturers like you are already doing it efficiently with our APLINK Series printing systems.

What Is ISPM 15 and Why Is It So Important for Pallet Manufacturers?

The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15), developed by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), aims to prevent the spread of pests and diseases through wooden packaging used in international trade.

This standard mandates the exclusive use of treated and properly marked wood in any type of packaging intended for export. Compliance is crucial because:

Over 100 countries require adherence to this standard as a condition to allow the entry of goods with wooden packaging.

Non-compliance can have serious consequences; pallets, crates, and wooden containers may be held, returned, or even destroyed at customs, resulting in major financial losses.

Phytosanitary authorities carry out regular inspections, both in the country of origin and destination, to ensure packaging complies with all technical requirements.

For pallet manufacturers, ISPM 15 is even more critical, as their products are directly part of the international logistics chain and must guarantee the phytosanitary safety of the accompanying packaging.

Complying with this regulation is not only a legal obligation but also a mark of quality, environmental commitment, and international reliability for customers.

What Does ISPM 15 Require for Wooden Pallets?

To comply with ISPM 15, a wooden pallet must undergo two mandatory processes: the phytosanitary treatment and the IPPC mark.

-Phytosanitary treatment: This is the method required to disinfect pallets. There are three approved processes:

HT – conventional heat treatment: The wood is heated to at least 56°C for a minimum of 30 minutes at the core to eliminate pests without chemicals.

DH – dielectric heating treatment: Uses microwaves or radiofrequency to uniformly heat the wood to 60°C for 1 minute, ideal for fast industrial processes.

MB – methyl bromide fumigation: The least used method, as it involves a toxic gas to disinfect the wood. It is banned in the EU and restricted in many countries due to its environmental and health risks.

IPPC mark (International Plant Protection Convention): Once treated, the pallet must carry a permanent mark with the official ISPM 15 logo, which includes:

The IPPC symbol (wheat spike).
Country code (e.g., ES for Spain).
Code of the authorized operator, assigned by the ministry.
Type of treatment applied: HT (heat), DH (dielectric heating), or MB (methyl bromide).

“The marking must be durable, without distortion or smudging, and printed with resistant black ink. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in border rejection or even penalties.”

Marking of the official IPPC stamp with **APLINK HRX GS05**

The Challenge: Accurate Marking According to ISPM 15

A few months ago, one of our customers—who manufactures and distributes wooden pallets for export—received an unexpected inspection. It revealed that some of their export pallets did not meet ISPM 15 marking requirements:.

The IPPC logo was not fully legible.
The print degraded over time.
The print size was incorrect.

This put their operations at risk. They needed a fast, durable, and compliant solution—so they reached out to us.

The Solution to ISPM 15 Marking Issues: Incorporating the APLINK HRX GS05

After analyzing their production line, we proposed integrating our high-resolution APLINK HRX GS05 printer, designed for direct marking on wooden blocks. It is adaptable to demanding industrial environments and prepared to comply with ISPM 15.

With this technology, the customer was able to:

Print the IPPC logo with the exact size required by the regulation.
Use fast-drying, high-resistance black ink.
Ensure high-contrast, long-lasting legibility—even after transport and prolonged use of the pallet.

Within days, their production line was printing pallets ready for export worldwide. Since then, the customer has passed all inspections and reduced maintenance downtime by 30%.

It’s also worth noting that our direct inkjet printing systems are EPAL-approved, allowing manufacturers to unify the marking under both standards —ISPM 15 + EPAL—with a single system. Discover our EPAL-certified equipment here.

Are You Marking Your Pallets Correctly to Comply with ISPM 15?

Remember: “Proper marking means better exporting.” Marking your pallets is not just a legal requirement-it’s a seal of assurance that opens the doors to international trade.

At UBS, we help you:

·Comply with ISPM 15 effortlessly
·Automate your pallet coding line
·Pass audits and protect your reputation
·Prepare for new traceability challenges

Interested in Further Optimizing Your Pallet Coding? On our blog, you’ll find more content specifically designed for pallet manufacturers who want to meet new regulations, improve traceability, and digitize their processes:

Check out these articles and discover how to take your pallet marking system to the next level!