ISPM, is the International Phytosanitary Standard for wood packaging. It was developed by IPPC, and is gradually being adopted by countries and markets throughout the world. Its intention is to stop the spread of wood pests between countries, after experiences with the Pine Wood Nematod, the long-horn beetle and other pests.

The effect on exporters is that they must ensure that any wooden packaging used in consignments meets the requirements as they are introduced throughout the world. Many major export markets are already adopting ISPM 15 - and failure to use the correctly treated and certified wooden pallets, will cause delays and extra costs at the port of entry it may even result in products being refused entry to the country concerned.

At present, 126 countries world wide have signed up to ISPM 15. Not all of those are enforcing the regulations as yet but they will be over the coming number of years. Australia , Brazil , Canada , China , India , Switzerland , the United States and New Zealand are enforcing the regulations already. The European Union, South Africa , Korea and Mexico are expected to begin enforcing ISPM 15 within the next twelve months. Plastic pallets are totally exempt from these Regulations.

List of countries signed up to ISPM 15 as of May, 2004