IPAF Publishes Annual Report

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has released its Annual Report for the year 2025, coinciding with its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Continuing a mission to promote and enable the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide, in 2025, IPAF membership grew by 8.6% (a record net 157), bringing total membership to 1,957 across 83 countries. Bangladesh and Guatemala became the latest territories to join IPAF, while Iraq dropped off.

Pictured (left to right): Peter Douglas, CEO & MD of IPAF; Julie Houston Smyth, Director of LOLEX Ltd; Kai Schliephake, IPAF President (newly appointed); and Pedro Torres, Vice President of Alayan Rentals.

Despite this, 2025 was a difficult year for the IPAF training programme — five years on from the Covid-19 lockdowns, fewer operators renewed their PAL Cards, as training was not permitted for parts of 2020. IPAF members trained 228,796 people during the year, which was 1,568 less than in 2024.

Facts and figures: 

• Safety First — IPAF’s Stop Overturns! global safety campaign raised awareness on risks associated with unsuitable ground conditions.
• Digital Growth — More than 1 million downloads of the IPAF ePAL app, across 205 countries, with 72% of licences issued digitally.
• Global Milestone — For the first time, over 50% of IPAF’s revenue was generated outside the UK.
• Award-Winning Training — The new and improved MEWP Operator Training Course won four awards, and IPAF released a new MEWP Spotter Training Course.
• Global Reach — New markets in Guatemala and Bangladesh; 39% of training applications from outside the UK; with the addition of Greece in 2025.
• Financials — Turnover decreased by £29.9k (-0.3%), largely due to a reduction in training volumes.
• Audits — New audit system Cluetec introduced to enhance efficiency, transparency and value for members.
• Safety Resources — IPAF released four new or revised technical guidance documents, seven Toolbox Talks, two safety videos, two safety campaigns and its Global Safety Report 2025.

Looking ahead, IPAF remains committed to driving safety, digital innovation, and global training expansion.

• The IPAF Annual Report 2025 has been published to coincide with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and is available in multiple languages as a digital download via https://www.ipaf.org/annual-report