As an international association, the European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) is responsible for organizing the EPAL Euro pallet exchange pool. EPAL Euro pallets are the cornerstone of industrial and retail supply chains in Europe.
The EPAL brand stands for quality, safety and sustainability in logistics.There are currently approximately 625 million EPAL Euro pallets and approximately 20 million EPAL Box pallets in circulation making the EPAL Euro pallet exchange pool the biggest open pallet exchange pool in the world.
More than 1,550 EPAL licensees produce and repair EPAL Euro pallets and other EPAL load carriers globally.
EPAL awards licences to carefully checked producers and repairers. These undergo continual and independent inspections by external companies (Bureau Veritas, China Certification & Inspection Group, CCIC). Thus, EPAL is able to ensure consistently high quality worldwide for its EPAL pallets and box pallets.
The extent of Documented Information differs as per:
• Finding directive and EN standard applicable to the product
• Selecting the appropriate certification scheme
• Based on the scope of the product and certification scheme
• Technical file, Plant Master file and Test Protocol. Management System Manual, Management System
• Procedures, Policy, Objectives, Forms etc.
• Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• EPAL Awareness training to QC manager and Production Manager.
• Implementing a well-documented manual throughout the life cycle of the product
• Internal audits identifying nonconformities related to EPAL requirements.
• Management Review Meetings.
• Corrective and Preventive Action plan for nonconformities
• Shamkris acts on your behalf and assists you in the third-party audit.
• Closing of any nonconformities identified by the Self Certification/NoBo
• EPAL certificates issued for 3 years
• Surveillance Audits yearly
• Support of Yearly documentation for audit
The European Pallet Associated (EPAL) lays down strict regulations governing how Euro pallets are made and their sizes. Although most pallets conform to the 1200mm x 800mm x 150mm sizing, there are in fact different Euro pallet types.
ISPM 15 treatment applied to EPAL pallets is natural and environmentally friendly; it doesn’t use any chemicals. This heat treatment (HT) involves placing EPAL pallets in a treatment enclosure (kiln) in which the wood is heated. The core temperature of the wood must reach a minimum of 56°C for at least 30 minutes.
Approved types of wood include: Coniferous (fir, pine, spruce) Softwood (alder, birch) Hardwood (ash, acacia, oak, maple, sycamore, European chestnut)