International Phytosanitary Measures 15 (ISPM15) is an international standard for the treatment of wooden packaging to help prevent the spread of pests. It was developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to prevent the international transport and spread of disease and insects that could negatively affect plants or ecosystems. It applies to all wood packaging materials of a thickness greater than 6mm, and require it to be debarked and heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide – and then stamped with a visible mark of compliance; this mark is a ‘passport’ that allows the packaging to move between countries across international borders. Since 1 January it has been a legal requirement for all wood packaging material moving in both directions between UK and the EU to be compliant with a treatment and mark as specified in ISPM15.
This article was first published in the February 1st 2021 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Schoeller Allibert, the European market leader in reusable plastic container solutions for automated warehousing and logistics, is working closely with several automated system providers to increase efficiency and warehouse capacity for a host of major UK retailers and fashion brands. Schoeller Allibert supplies its SASI container into shuttle, conveyor, AGV, AMR, mini load systems and micro fulfilment centres. The systems are used for goods-in, decanting, storage, picking and dispatch. With its automation-friendly design, increased capacity, integrated noise reduction features and low weight, the SASI container helps optimise warehouse operations.
Mosca GmbH has changed has its corporate structures and split up into an overarching group company with subsidiaries including Machinery & Equipment, Strap & Consumables and Sales & Services. The group company forms the strategic framework and comprises human resources, purchasing and training.
Storopack has launched a new air pillow film that is produced from 100 percent recycled material. AIRplus 100% Recycled offers the same outstanding and resistant protective properties as conventional air pillows. This solution is thus ideal for companies that value high-quality protective packaging to keep their own products safe as well as sustainability. AIRplus 100% Recycled is recyclable and should be added to the recycling loop after use.
Consumers are calling for companies to show interest and commitment to environmental and sustainability issues. According to Trakrap, one way to demonstrate this is to ensure that the packaging used follows the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle pathway wherever possible. Reducing the carbon footprint of our packaging by using products such as recycled cardboard over virgin cardboard reduces carbon footprints enormously. Combine this with the use of shrink-wrap and eliminating heat from the packaging process, and this could impact significantly on the effect we have on the environment.
Getting back to ISPM15, although the UK has left the EU this does not mean there is any greater risk of exporting pests between these two regions – there will be no change in the plant health risk embodied by movements of pallets and packaging. Packaging and other industry associations across Europe believe there is no scientific or fact-based rationale to justify any change in the rules or enforcement regimes applied to wooden packaging material (WPM).
George Simpson
Features Editor
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