Transport carriers are off the hook when it comes to managing pallet retrieval, according to a recent press release by ANITA, the Italian National Association of Motor Transport. Brought into law on August 4, there is now “no obligation by the carrier to manage the packaging activities of transport.” In particular, it is expected that at the end of the trip, the carrier that delivered the goods packed or stowed on special handling unit has no obligation on the management and return of these units used during transport.
Furthermore, possession of a special license issued by the competent police on operation of the pallet handling or performance which is subject to the holder of such license, helps put a brake on the illegal activity of counterfeiting and recycling of pallets carried by unauthorized persons.
“This agreement with the government contains important measures for the competitiveness of road transport – says Josephine Della Pepa, Secretary General of ANITA. There is finally a change of course which aims to ensure greater transparency in practice with respect to pallet interchange between carriers and customers and at the same time will combat illicit trafficking of reuse of pallets.
ANITA long had suggested to their companies to abandon the practice of interchange because of disputes often entailed and managerial and administrative burden on the carrier.
The legislation came into force – freeing carriers from the obligation to manage pallets, thereby limiting the risk of illicit trafficking. The move will generate a 30 million Euro reduction of costs for the sector, based on calculations from studies of the Research Centre on Logistics University Carlo Cattaneo of the castle and the Department of Management Engineering of the Polytechnic of Milan.
Moreover, this measure could contribute to establishing professional management practices from leading pallet companies which provide clients with specialized operations in the provision, management and handling of pallets.
While the regulation is a welcome first step it needs to be followed by better hygiene controls, – reiterated the Secretary-General ANITA. The next goal must be to ensure better hygiene, health and integrity of palletized goods.
Source: www.anita.it
