Plastic pallets are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as in any other industry where high hygiene and safety standards are required for transported goods. One of the most important certificates confirming that plastic pallets meet strict sanitary and hygiene requirements is the PZH (National Institute of Hygiene) hygiene certificate. It is a voluntary but prestigious certificate that confirms that the product is safe for human health and the environment.
The PZH certificate, or Hygiene Certificate, issued by the National Institute of Public Health PZH – National Research Institute (NIZP PZH – PIB), is a document that confirms that a given product will not adversely affect human health and the natural environment.
The National Institute of Public Health determines which product groups can be submitted for evaluation and certification at NIZP-PZH. It divides them into three basic groups:
PZH is an abbreviation for Państwowy Zakład Higieny (National Institute of Hygiene). It is the oldest public health institution in the country, established on 21 November 1918. However, the institute’s first name was different, namely Państwowy Centralny Zakład Epidemiologiczny (National Central Epidemiological Institute). After five years, the name was changed to Państwowy Zakład Higieny (National Institute of Hygiene).
Until recently, PZH certification was mandatory for most devices and materials used in construction, including water and air conditioning systems. However, it is now only mandatory for products that come into contact with water intended for human consumption. In other cases, it is entirely voluntary.
Products that come into contact with water intended for human consumption are assessed in accordance with the requirements of Directive 98/83/EC and the Regulation of the Minister of Health on the quality of water intended for human consumption. These regulations are designed to reduce water pollution and the harmful effects of substances introduced into the water cycle.
All legal regulations concerning hygiene certification are contained in the Act on Collective Water Supply and Collective Sewage Disposal. The only scientific institution in Poland authorised by the Minister of Health to issue certificates for materials used in water distribution systems and water treatment agents is the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene.
The PZH certificate prevents products and materials that are hazardous to health and life from being put into use. Therefore, when you buy a product with this certificate, you can be sure that it complies with current safety standards.
Such certification can also distinguish a given product from its competitors. A product with PZH certification is a guarantee of quality and safety. The PZH certificate confirms that the product does not contain substances harmful to health or the environment. It is a prestigious hygiene certificate that also facilitates participation in public tenders. The PZH certificate is issued on the basis of a manufacturer’s application (the applicant must send the institution an appropriate application together with complete documentation). It is worth noting that all Libra Partners products have this certificate.
So how do you obtain a PZH certificate? PZH Hygienic Certificates are issued at the request of the recipient or manufacturer by an institution authorised to assess product quality, which is (NIZP-PZH). The application can be sent electronically to the PZH e-mail address. The price of the certificate depends, among other things, on the mode of certification (standard or express).
The certificate is sent to your home by post, but it can also be sent to your e-mail address.
The PZH certificate can be checked on the manufacturer’s website, but also in places such as advertisements or information brochures. However, the most common way to check whether a product complies with safety standards is to look at the product packaging. There will be a logo with a navy blue and white circle with the name of the institution and a tree graphic at the bottom of the mark. We display this mark next to the photo of each product.
Although the PZH certificate mainly applies to products that come into contact with water, PZH-certified plastic pallets are an excellent choice, as they are not only functional but also meet legal requirements and hygiene standards.
Rafał Szarzała Centrum Produkcyjno-Handlowe “Szarpol”
ul. prof. Mariana Rapackiego 3
98-200 Sieradz
