What the classification says
A board is missing.
How to spot it
Count deck and bottom boards against the spec: 11 on an EPAL 1, 17 on an EPAL 2, 13 on an EPAL 3. A gap in the deck or base is obvious; check the underside too.
Why it matters
A missing board is the clearest reason a pallet leaves the exchange pool, and it is also a load-safety problem: the remaining boards carry more of the load than they were designed for. On a deck the gap catches carton corners and lets small items fall through. On the base it reduces the area resting on conveyors and racking. For North American holders the question is rarely repair: replacing one board to EPAL's specification needs a licensed repairer, so most holders sell such pallets as damaged wood or recycle them.
Effect on the pallet's class
Not exchangeable; not fit for use until a licensed repair. See Not fit for use for the full criteria.
Repair
Licensed repair only, with a dimensionally accurate, ISPM 15 treated and marked replacement board.
If no licensed repairer is practical, sell sound timber as non-EPAL wood or send the pallets for recycling.