WASHINGTON - As the International Fresh Produce Association continues to address packaging regulations and proposals that will adversely impact its members and the global fresh produce and floral community, the organization is pleased to announce it has recently received accreditation status for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which has plastics as among one of its many environmental concerns.

“As part of our strategic plan, IFPA is focused on growing its worldwide influence and future-proofing the industry, one example of which is through sustainability efforts,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns in the recent release. “The UNEP accreditation is a significant advocacy milestone for IFPA as we expand our presence within the UN system and ensure that the voice of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants is heard in global forums and at tables of influence.”

This accreditation marks the second opportunity IFPA has obtained to collaborate with and contribute to UN initiatives – the first being the observer status the association received last fall for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“Our engagement with UNEP – via participating in high-level meetings, providing industry perspective and insight to working documents, and testimony to committees and working groups) – will allow us to engage in global environmental dialogues, which complements our position within the UNFCCC to negotiate on behalf of our industry in climate discussions,” said IFPA Vice President Tamara Muruetagoiena.

Given that the UNEP’s purview includes plastic pollution, IFPA’s accreditation is another example of the organization’s advocacy in action, which includes the grant funding the IFPA Foundation for Fresh Produce and its partners received in the fall of 2024 to establish a Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab. The lab will assist packaging engineers and researchers working in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry to develop or commercialize sustainable packaging solutions.

In early 2025, IFPA Australia-New Zealand became a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, underlining its commitment to supporting the fresh produce industry's journey to more sustainable packaging practices as part of APCO’s problem-solving collective, working in collaboration with local and global sustainability leaders in government, industry, community groups and academia.