What is EPV?

Welcome to the website of EPV, the sector organisation for the wooden packaging industry in the Netherlands. This site has a public and members only section.

On this page we briefly explain who EPV is and what we do. After reading this page, you may want more information or information relating to a specific subject. For example, information about our code of conduct, our campaign ‘The Power of Wood’ or the Dutch approach of repairing and recycling as many pallets as possible. For all these questions and to request factsheets, please contact our secretariat by email epv@wispa.nl or phone +31 (0)13 59 44 303.

The Dutch Packaging & Pallet Industry Association (Dutch: EPV) is a sector association that represents producers, traders and repairers of wooden packaging. EPV members have an 80% share of the total production of wooden pallets (for limited use and re-use), cases and crates (for vegetables, fruit and wine) and industrial and export packaging. All EPV members are Chain of Custody certified by the PEFC and/or FSC quality mark for wood and they manufacture high-quality wood products from commercial forests. Together with the EPV, they work on making the logistical chain sustainable by means of agreements, quality marks and innovations in the area of production, repair and recycling.

EPV was established in 1950 and for over 70 years it has been the sector association that represents producers, traders and repairers of wooden packaging.

EPV promotes the collective interests of its members in economical, social and legal areas. EPV lobbies at national and supranational government bodies regarding legislation. In addition, EPV members can turn to specialists at the secretariat of EPV for individual labour law issues, such as right of dismissal, dismissal procedures, contracts and terms of employment.

EPV members

All EPV members are Chain of Custody certified by the PEFC and/or FSC quality mark for wood and they manufacture high-quality wood products from commercial forests. Together with the EPV, they work on making the logistical chain sustainable by means of agreements, quality marks and innovations in the area of production, repair and recycling.

EPV members have an 80% share of the total production of wooden pallets (for limited use and re-use), cases and crates (for vegetables, fruit and wine) and industrial and export packaging.

Since 1997, in addition to manufacturers of pallets and packaging materials, traders and repairers of wooden packaging are also members of EPV. These members play a vital role in the process of recycling wooden packaging.

Besides the aforementioned ordinary EPV members, other companies involved in the industry (mostly suppliers) are members of the EPV as extraordinary members.

Mission of EPV

EPV and its members work nationally and internationally on a sustainable timber chain and international sustainable forest management. Our mission is to promote wood as a raw material for packaging, to support innovations and research in the chain and to place wood as the undisputed Number One in transport and logistics by means of quality marks and partnerships.

To achieve these goals, EPV has drawn up a code of conduct.

Collective advocacy

EPV promotes the collective interests of its members on an economic, social and legal level. We lobby national and supranational government bodies regarding legislation. For example, we have succeeded in ensuring that wooden pallets are considered logistical aids for packaging on which no packaging tax is due. EPV has also realised a collective hedge of risks for the members in the field of health insurance, building and fire. We promote the social interests by, among other things, collective bargaining and administrative activities at the Social Fund and Pension Fund. In short, as a representative trade association, EPV is the point of contact for stakeholders, such as the industrial sector, government, trade unions and the media.

Individual advocacy

EPV members can turn to specialists at the secretariat of EPV for legal assistance related to labour. This not only applies to questions about the CLA for the wood-processing industry, but also for example advice about the new right of dismissal, terms of employment, advice and assistance with customised employment contracts, building up a file and dismissal cases / proceedings. This saves on high accounting or attorney fees. The members are regularly informed about the consequences of changes in legislation and regulations.