UK and European Pallet Federations Urge Government Action

UK and European pallet and packaging federations have urged governments to take action where necessary to ensure the free movement of goods amid the developing crisis.

Europe’s FEFPEB said:

“The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (Fédération Européenee des Fabricants de Palettes and Emballages en Bois – FEFPEB) is calling on governments across Europe to help ensure wooden packaging and pallets remain freely available throughout this crisis, to ensure that fast moving consumer goods (fmcg) and pharmaceutical supply chains are able to operate in a smooth and timely manner.

The government of each country has its own set of regulations for dealing with the COVID-19 crisis; our members and related business are adhering to these. However, we stress that they must support manufacturers of wooden pallets and packaging, and reconditioned pallet companies; pallet pools; sawmillers; and the logistics industry in general.
The EC has issued a set of guidelines on protecting health and keeping goods moving. These are available on its website at https://ec.europa.eu/. We urge all our members and operators in the supply chain to read these.”

The UK’s TIMCOM said:

“The Government needs to be aware of the critical importance of a continuous supply of wooden pallets and packaging to ensure fmcg supply chains keep pace with essential consumer demand.

“The requirement is that the Government must support pallet and packaging manufacturers, pallet pools, reconditioned pallet businesses, and the logistics industry; and also ensure that UK sawmilling operations are able to continue providing timber to our operations.

“This is an unprecedented situation and we will be working with the industry and with the Government to ensure these businesses can carry on operating to ensure continuity of supply of these essential products.