Euro pallets

Design and standard

Because the euro pallet can be picked up from all four sides it is called a four-way pallet. The design was first published at the German Patent Office on 31 March 1966 under number DE 1935973U1. The governing standard today is EN 13698-1.

Brands on the market

Euro pallets are offered under several brands: WORLD, EPAL, CHEP and LPR. WORLD and EPAL meet the same technical requirements under EN 13698-1; CHEP and LPR are rental pool systems with their own return logistics. Falkenhahn AG produced under EPAL licence until 2007 and has been the exclusive licensee of the WORLD brand in Europe since 2008.

Used euro pallets

Used euro pallets are first sorted broadly into as-new pallets, pallets suitable for high-bay racking and pallets in haulage quality. Whether a pallet has been repaired makes no difference – what matters is that it meets the requirements of the standard. Since 2014 the GS1 quality classes A, B and C have provided a cross-industry grid for this.

Three models of use

1. Purchase and resale. Already common practice in the chemical industry and many manufacturing businesses – with considerable savings potential in pallet handling. See logistics concept.

2. Classic pallet exchange. The best-known and most widespread method, governed by individual agreements. There is no statutory obligation to exchange.

3. Deposit or rental. Pool systems in which the pallet remains the property of the pool operator.