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30 Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 25 ECOVADIS BY: SARAH BACKES How Sustainability Rating Platforms Are Influencing Procurement Decisions—And How To Take Advantage A Case Study on EcoVadis for Wooden Pallet and Container Manufacturers H ere's some exciting news for the wooden pallet industry: a newly updated Product Category Rule (PCR) for wood pallets has just been published, and while that may sound technical, it's a big win for all of us. Whether you're building, buying, or selling pallets, this new rulebook helps our industry speak the language of sustainability in a way that decision- makers across the supply chain understand. But what exactly is a PCR, and why should you care? Let's break it down. What's A PCR (And Why Is Everyone Talking About It)? In today's rapidly evolving business environment, sustainability has shifted from a "nice to have" to a central pillar of corporate strategy. is transformation is being driven by a combination of regulatory pressure, investor expectations, and consumer demand for transparency and accountability. For wooden pallet and container manufacturers, this shift presents both a challenge to meet rising standards and an opportunity to showcase the inherent sustainability of their products and operations. Wood packaging products are uniquely positioned in this landscape. Made from renewable resources, designed for reuse and repair, and easily recyclable, these products naturally align with circular economy principles. Yet, as global supply chains become more transparent and regulated, it's no longer enough to rely on the sustainability of the product alone. Companies must now demonstrate that their entire business—from sourcing and labor practices to procurement and ethics—is managed responsibly.

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