The National Association of Pallet Distributors (NAPD) has criticised claims from plastic pallet makers that their products are better for exporting overseas because of scares about forest pests in wooden ones.

The NAPD dismissed the claims, pointing to the introduction of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is bringing in quarantine treatments and requirements that can apply universally.

It said ISPM 15, part of a UN programme to reduce the risk of spreading pests in wood packaging used for exports, is being implemented by a growing number of countries, thereby diminishing the problem of having to deal with a range of different national standards.

Paul Tait, NAPD spokesperson, said: “Pallet buyers do not like paying over twice as much for plastic pallets as they have to for a top grade wooden pallet and there is now even less need than ever to do so.

&#8220Pallet buyers do not like paying over twice as much for plastic pallets as they have to for a top grade wooden pallet and there is now even less need than ever to do so”

Paul Tait, NAPD spokesperson

“In the past we have always had to stock pressure treated wood to make up pallets for Australia, but even that will not be necessary very soon.”

  • PalletLink has issued a new datasheet to guide pallet and casemakers through the maze of regulations. It details 11 seperate areas in the food and drink sector which wood packaging has to comply with.