EURO-Pallets produced by EPAL licensed manufacturers are inspected under strict quality procedures, at regular intervals. Euro pallets bearing the EPAL quality mark indicates they are certified and have been inspected by EPAL. This offers assurance of global safety and goes just basic branding. Each EUR-Pallet has security features to reduce counterfeiting. Such includes a quality control staple or marking nail that uniquely identifies the producer and/or the repairing company.
EPAL Pallet Pool
EPAL is a cooperative pallet pool used throughout Europe and is the largest pallet pool in the world. There is somewhere between 300 million and 500 million pallets estimated to be in circulation. In 2006 alone approx. 52 million new EUR pallets have been produced under licence of EPAL and put into circulation. The earliest roots of EPAL began many years ago when the European railways founded a railway union, (UIC), to discuss the common interests.
Exporting your goods on the wrong pallet could cost your foreign operations or business partners more than you realize.
Here are some very good reasons why you should consider EURO Pallets:
It can be easy to think that a pallet is just a pallet. However, many global companies are discovering that the packaging decisions made in one country, can become a headache and financial burden in others.
Although it is not compulsory to ship to Europe on a EURO Pallet, it is preferred by the majority of European customers, for the following reasons:
- European countries charge a disposal fee for incoming non-standard pallets of around AU$3 per pallet;
- Considered to have value for the receiving company as the pallets can go into the European Pallet pool;
- Stronger, stiffer, more durable design offering greater product protection;
- Positive value of up to AU$16 depending on condition;
- Complies with EU pest requirements;
- Customers may specify EURO pallets for their purchases;
- Product arriving on non-conforming pallets may be required to be off loaded onto EURO pallets for use in European warehouses, increasing costs and the potential for damage to products;
- Accessible for fork lifts from all sides;
- Environmental credentials are first class.