Vienna, October 2025 — Collaboration across the European wood pallet sector value chain will be essential for navigating the next wave of sustainability regulation. That was the central message from the 72nd annual congress of the European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB), where delegates reviewed tightening compliance obligations facing the pallet and packaging sector.
Representatives from across Europe met on October 23 and 24 at the headquarters of the Federation of Austrian Wood Industries. The agenda focused on the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, and the EU Circular Economy Act, as well as the operational tools needed to support industry adaptation.
“Cooperation with other wood-based industries and related institutions is vital to FEFPEB’s work,” said Secretary General Fons Ceelaert in opening remarks. “Working closely together allows us to share our expertise and experience and set common goals to tackle the challenges of regulatory compliance. Our Vienna congress was the perfect example of these collaborative efforts.”
FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel and Dieter Lechner of the Association of Austrian Wood Industries welcomed participants and pointed to the growing importance of aligned advocacy as legislation enters implementation phases.
EUDR: traceability requirements take shape
Claudiu-Nicolae Sonda of CEI-Bois provided an update on EUDR policy development and industry engagement with EU institutions. While timber-based packaging is inherently low risk, the new regulation requires geolocation-based due diligence as products enter EU supply chains. Delegates emphasized the need for proportionate documentation requirements that recognize the sector’s established sustainability profile, especially where pallets are repaired and recirculated many times.
The discussion also explored how certification systems could streamline compliance, reducing administrative burden for small and mid-sized operators while maintaining regulatory confidence.
EPR: maturity in Belgium shows what performance can look like
Belgium’s experience under industrial packaging EPR was presented by Andy Huvaere, Operations Manager at Valipac. He described a system that has demonstrated consistently high recovery performance for wood packaging — with recycling rates above 90 percent in recent years — enabled by long-standing collaboration among producers, recoverers, and regulators.
His session encouraged delegates to ensure that competitive reuse and refurbishment markets are supported rather than constrained as EPR rules evolve across the EU. The message aligned closely with ongoing FEFPEB advocacy for recognition of repair and pallet pooling in compliance frameworks.
PPWR: clarity needed for durable transport packaging
Professor Manfred Tacker of the University of Applied Sciences Vienna examined how the proposed PPWR could reshape pallet and packaging obligations. He cautioned that certain draft provisions remain oriented toward consumer packaging and could inadvertently add cost or complexity to durable industrial products designed for long service life.
Participants agreed that policy recognition of robust system performance, particularly reuse cycles and repairability, is essential to ensure that PPWR strengthens, rather than disrupts, circular logistics.
Certification underpins legality and sustainability claims
DI Gerhard Pichler, Managing Director of PEFC Austria, highlighted certification as a practical compliance tool that can simplify due diligence reporting and reinforce confidence in the legal and sustainable origin of timber. Austria’s high level of forest certification adoption, he said, supports both local manufacturing and downstream packaging users who rely on documented assured sourcing.
For pallet and packaging companies, certification continues to serve as a key communication asset as customers request more sustainability disclosures from suppliers.
FEFPEB updates: strengthening data and messaging
Ceelaert also provided a progress update on FEFPEB priorities, which include:
• Aligning sector positions with the broader European wood community
• Advancing circular-economy data and documentation tools
• Supporting SMEs as they implement traceability systems
• Coordinating messaging on the climate and circular benefits of wood packaging
Delegates discussed how increased reporting obligations could become an opportunity for the sector to better showcase performance indicators such as reuse rates, repair cycles, and carbon storage in wood products.
Networking and next steps
The congress opened with a networking reception at Vienna’s Zum Martin Sepp restaurant, where industry members compared compliance strategies and shared updates ahead of the formal sessions. Sponsors supporting the event included Euroblock, Kara and BES Bolmann, Acadon, Storti, and Baltic Block Ltd.
The membership was also invited to the 73rd full FEFPEB Congress, scheduled to take place in Sweden in autumn 2026 and introduced by Edward Sandin of Swedish Wood. President Rob van Hoesel closed the event by thanking participants for their active engagement and reinforcing that a unified approach strengthens the industry’s position as a proven circular solution for European supply chains.
A full overview of the Vienna congress and presentation materials is now available on www.fefpeb.eu
Related Articles
FEFPEB: tech advances will transform pallets in 10 years
FEFPEB represented European sector at international pallet meeting
FEFPEB: Supply chain cost pressures remain despite fall in raw material prices
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.