Class A
Light sorted
A grade below new pallets. Serviceable for storage, transport and MFH. Signs of use, but no soiling. All prescribed markings legible, no protruding splinters, no twisted blocks. ISPM 15 / IPPC not guaranteed.
Pallet knowledge
Quality classes
GS1 Germany initiated a study together with BSH, DHL, EDEKA, Globus, Henkel, Hornbach, MARS, Rewe, Schenker and others. The result is a set of practical recommendations for pallet exchange: used pallets are graded into classes A, B and C, plus “not serviceable”.
The GS1 classification for used euro pallets
Class B
Light/dark unsorted
A grade below class A. Serviceable for storage, transport and MFH. Signs of use, darkening of the timber permitted. All prescribed markings legible, no protruding splinters, no twisted blocks.
Class C
MFH not guaranteed
A grade below class B. Serviceable for storage and transport – but MFH capability is not guaranteed. Not unreservedly suitable for automated high-bay racking and conveyor systems.
MFH = machine-handling capable, conveyor-compatible, suitable for high-bay racking.
Side by side
What the classes
look like in practice.
Interpretation
What the classification
means for you
To simplify pallet handling for all customers of the WORLD pallet – including the participants in the study – the WORLD pallet is classified in line with the GS1 recommendation. This ensures consistent handling across industries and sectors.
Key changes introduced by the GS1 study
- The term “serviceable” under EN 13698-1 replaces the term “exchangeable”.
- Quality classes for used pallets were defined across industries and sectors.
- For the first time a document exists that reflects the perspectives of everyone involved – manufacturing, retail and logistics service providers.
What else the study shows
In the long run pallet exchange cannot be an economical solution for efficient pallet management, because there is still no obligation to exchange. That is exactly where our “resale with added value” logistics concept comes in.