Wood Treatment Processes . . .

Meeting Export Requirements

According to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), all exported solid wood packaging material, including hardwood and softwood pine, must be heat treated (link) or fumigated (link) with methyl bromide. This requirement applies to new and used material, including dunnage and crates. Engineered wood products, such as corrugated material, plywood, orientated strand board (OSB), veneer, and sawdust are exempt.

The regulation date to enforce the import/export regulations imposed as yet to be determined. Many countries, including the US, have not been decisive as to when the regulations will be enforced. For the latest information, please contact the IPPC, the APHIS, or the NWPCA.

Heat Treatments

The heat treatment process requires the core temperature of the wood product to be raised to a minimum of 56 Celsius or 133 Fahrenheit for thirty minutes and marked with the treatment facilities stamp.

All companies performing the heat treatment process must be licensed by the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC).

Fumigation

In the U.S., packaging material fumigated with methyl bromide may only be processed and fumigated by certified companies. The accrediting agencies for licensing these companies are the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA). Outside the U.S., standards for heat treatment vary and may be more stringent.

The company performing the heat treatment or fumigation must apply a mark to each piece of treated material. The mark will identify the type of treatment, name and registration number of the company, treating date, country of origin, and the identifying symbol of the accrediting agency. All nations collaborating in the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) will use the same marking format so that custom officials worldwide can readily identify material that is in compliance with the treaty. Noncompliant shipments may be refused, returned, destroyed, quarantined, or repackaged at the exporter’s expense.

Dipping /Timbor

In addition to heat-treating and fumigation, dipping is an alternative wood process to kill insects for wood materials. It is not an approved method to meet the export requirements set forth by the APHIS. It is however, a treatment process utilizing a sodium borate chemical, most popular brand is Timbor, to submerge the pallets in. The solution penetrates into the wood to kill any insects immediately and provides a long lasting residual to thwart further insect infestation.