What exactly are Europallets, you ask?
Euro pallets have been deemed by the European Pallet Association (EPAL) to be the industry standard for transporting pallets throughout Europe. The European Pallet Pool (EPP) is a system that enables a “pallet for pallet” exchange, and EUR pallets are eligible for participation in the EPP.
The EUR-pallet, sometimes referred to as the Euro-pallet or the EPAL-pallet, is the standard European pallet as established by the European Pallet Association. Other names for this pallet include the Euro-pallet and the EPAL-pallet (EPAL).
Pallets that are in compliance with the norm can participate in the European Pallet Pool, often known as the EPP. This is a mechanism that enables an exchange known as “pallet for pallet.”
The dimensions of the EUR/EPAL-pallet are 1,200 millimetres by 800 millimetres by 144 millimetres (47.2 inches by 31.5 inches by 5.7 inches); it is a four-way pallet made of wood that is nailed with 78 specific nails in a design that has been recommended. It is estimated that a EUR/EPAL-pallet (EPAL 1) weighs around 25 kg. There are around 450 million to 500 million EUR-pallets now in circulation.
The maximum load that may be supported by a EUR/EPAL-pallet without causing damage is 1,500 kg. When stacked, a total additional load of up to 4,000 kg is permitted as the maximum.
The EUR/EPAL-pallet has a maximum allowable weight of 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). (1.5 tonnes) when equally loaded; otherwise, the maximum is one thousand kilogrammes (2,200 lbs).
The History of Europallets
Displayed in the Museum der Arbeit in Hamburg, Germany, are branding irons for marking EUR pallets.
To begin with, the Euro-pallet was based on the wooden pallets used by the railroads. The European Union of Railways (UIC) was established in 1961 to oversee the standardisation of a uniform pallet type. Gyllsjö, Skne County, Sweden’s Svensson brothers invented it. Train waggons to be loaded in just 10% of the time previously required. [4] Lattice boxes and lattice pallets were also mandated by the association in 1968.
Repaired or removed from the pool are the only options for broken pallets.
Euro-pallets with trucks, forklifts, and high-rack warehouses optimised for their size have become the norm with the standardisation of the European industry.
Euro-pallets would be exchanged for the equivalent number of Euro-pallets in accordance with framework agreements made by national associations (“pallet for pallet”). Association members They are responsible for maintaining and removing outdated pallets from their pool of Euro-pallets. Even in cross-border transactions, the European Pallet Pool made it possible for pallets to be exchanged.
The Euro-pallets’ popularity led to a slew of knockoffs using inferior wood that was prone to splintering and mildew growth. As a result, the European Railways, which controls the trademarks for EUR/EPAL, established a separate standardisation committee. To utilise the European Pallet Association’s trademarks, you must be a licensed member of that organisation.
Conclusion
According to the European Pallet Association (EPAL), Euro pals are the industry standard for carrying pallets in Europe. This is a four-way wood pallet with 78 suggested nails. EUR/EPAL-pallets can hold 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). (1.5 tonnes). In 1968, the association required lattice boxes and pallets. Members must remove old pallets from their pool.