Unacceptable components on a euro pallet

Unacceptable components have clearly been used (e.g. boards that are too thin, blocks that are too small). Not fit for use. Usually a sign of an unlicensed repair. Measure a suspect board: EPAL 1 boards should be 22–24 mm thick (stringers up to 25 mm). Undersized blocks, rotten parts or boards with wane are the poster's examples.

Document
DEF-010
Sheet
Defects, flat pallet
Last reviewed
Sources
2 cited
flat palletApplies to
Not fit for useLeads to

What the classification says

Unacceptable components have clearly been used (e.g. boards that are too thin, blocks that are too small).

How to spot it

Measure a suspect board: EPAL 1 boards should be 22–24 mm thick (stringers up to 25 mm). Undersized blocks, rotten parts or boards with wane are the poster's examples.

Why it matters

This defect covers parts that were never right for an EPAL pallet: boards that are too thin, blocks that are too small, rotten parts, or boards with wane, the rounded edge where bark was. It usually means someone replaced parts with whatever timber was at hand. EPAL 1 boards are specified at 22 to 24 mm, with stringer boards up to 25 mm, and poplar is not permitted for stringers. A caliper and a tape measure are enough to check, and a mismatched part is strong evidence of an unlicensed repair.

Effect on the pallet's class

Not fit for use. Usually a sign of an unlicensed repair. See Not fit for use for the full criteria.

Repair

A licensed repairer replaces the part with a compliant one.

If no licensed repairer is practical, sell sound timber as non-EPAL wood or send the pallets for recycling.

Sources

Last reviewed . Figures come from these publications; follow the links for the current versions.

  1. EPAL Euro pallet (EPAL 1), load-carrier page, European Pallet Association e.V.
  2. EPAL Quality Classification poster (edition 08/2023), European Pallet Association e.V.

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Pick one. Each form takes about a minute and goes to one partner, not a list of dealers.