The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is a not-for-profit

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 member organization in the field of powered access, i.e. part of or associated with the industry of elevating work platforms, which is the general term, or aerial work platform

Aerial work platform

An aerial work platform, also known as an aerial device or elevating work platform, is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height...

s (AWPs), as they are commonly referred to in North America. The term 'powered access' in the federation's name points out its specialization in personal lifting devices which operate with the help of hydraulics and motors, unlike ladders, which are un-powered, and unlike lifting devices for goods, such as forklifts or cranes.

IPAF's members are organizations, companies and private persons, typically manufacturers, distributors, rental companies, training centres and users in the field of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs).

One of IPAF's flagship services is the creation and licensing of safety training

Safety Training

"Safety Training" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office. Written by B. J. Novak, who also acts in the show as sales representative Ryan Howard, and directed by Caddyshack and National Lampoon's Vacation director Harold Ramis, the episode...

 for Operators, Demonstrators and Instructors, which IPAF offers through a network of registered and audited training centres. Upon successful completion of the courses designed for the various categories of elevating work platforms, the examinees receive their own Powered Access Licence, commonly referred to as a PAL Card.

While IPAF's headquarters are in the UK

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

, it also maintains local offices in Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

, Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

, France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

, the Netherlands

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

 and Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

, and it is currently looking to open affiliates in South America

South America

South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...

 as well as South East Asia. With this network of local representatives IPAF ensures that training in those countries is suited to local legislation

Legislation

Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...

and requirements.