The American Lumber Standard Committee is a US non-profit that accredits lumber grading agencies under the American Softwood Lumber Standard and administers the US ISPM 15 wood packaging program through accredited inspection agencies.
Detailed Definition
ALSC oversees the American Softwood Lumber Standard, Voluntary Product Standard PS 20. It accredits grading agencies, such as the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, that write grading rules or supervise mills, and it approves those rules. ALSC also runs the US wood packaging material program for ISPM 15 in cooperation with USDA APHIS. Under that program, accredited inspection agencies audit pallet makers and treatment facilities, which may then apply the ISPM 15 mark with their assigned facility number.
How the ISPM 15 program works in the US
A pallet manufacturer or heat treatment facility that wants to mark wood packaging enrolls with an ALSC-accredited inspection agency. The agency approves its procedures, assigns a facility number and audits it regularly. The mark it applies shows the IPPC symbol, the US country code, the agency and facility identifier, and the treatment code such as HT. ALSC publishes lists of accredited agencies and their facilities.
What buyers should verify
- The mark on export pallets is legible and on at least two opposite sides.
- The facility number belongs to a participating facility in good standing, which you can check with the agency named on the mark.
- The supplier can describe whether pallets were built from treated lumber or treated after assembly.
- Repaired pallets follow program rules for replacement components.
ALSC does not inspect individual shipments. Customs at the destination country checks compliance at entry.
Lumber grade stamps
Outside the pallet program, ALSC-accredited agencies supervise grade stamps on softwood lumber. A grade stamp shows the agency logo, mill number, grade, species and moisture condition at the time of surfacing, such as S-DRY or S-GRN. Pallet lumber is often ungraded, so grade stamps are more common on dimension lumber used in heavy-duty or custom pallets.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ALSC certify pallets directly?
No. ALSC accredits agencies, and those agencies approve and audit the pallet manufacturers and treatment facilities. The facility is what is authorized to apply the ISPM 15 mark. If you need to confirm a mark, contact the inspection agency whose identifier appears on the stamp, or check the lists of participating facilities that ALSC and its agencies publish.
What is the American Softwood Lumber Standard?
It is Voluntary Product Standard PS 20, developed under a US Department of Commerce process. It sets baseline requirements for softwood lumber sizes, grading and grade marking. ALSC administers the standard by accrediting the agencies that grade and mark lumber, so a grade stamp from an accredited agency shows the lumber was graded under approved rules.