The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is the leading global trade body for the powered access industry, representing manufacturers, rental companies, and distributors of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) worldwide.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, IPAF operates in over 70 countries and is best known for its internationally recognised PAL (Powered Access Licence) training scheme, which has trained millions of operators in the safe use of aerial work platforms. The federation works with national governments, standard-setting organisations, and safety regulators to establish and maintain best practice in the specification, inspection, and operation of powered access equipment.

IPAF’s membership includes the world’s leading MEWP and MCWP manufacturers and rental companies, and the organisation plays a central role in promoting the adoption of powered access in preference to less safe alternatives such as ladders and scaffolding for short-duration tasks. The federation publishes an annual global accident report that tracks incidents involving MEWPs worldwide and uses this data to drive targeted safety campaigns. IPAF is also a recognised standards development organisation, contributing to European and international standards for MEWP design, testing, and operation, and it manages the global powered access directory and operator database to support fleet management and operator competence verification across borders.