Agriculture department certifies heat treatment of pallets

Kevin Mayhew A MAJOR concern for Zambian local industry is the cost of heat treating pallets to meet international standards which have become effective in South Africa, through which the bulk of palletised freight moves, according to immediate past chairman of the Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Justin Chisulo. The heat treatment – which has to be authenticated by a certified body – is a pre-requisite for wooden pallets and will mean goods being blocked at the ports of countries that have endorsed the international standard if it cannot be proved that pallets have been appropriately treated. “It has been noted as a concern within our organisation but people must realise that while we cannot overcome the cost of it, our Department of Agriculture in Zambia undertakes and certifies the treatment to the international requirement,” Chisulo explained. Within the Association, the Zambia Association of Clearing and Forwarding Agents [ZACFA] is the associate member which provides input on the freight industry, packaging, clearing, warehousing and broader issues. This, says Chisulo, is because ZACFA has offices at all key border points of Zambia and is well positioned to understand what is going on with regard to movement of products into southern Africa.