Why it is higher than safe working load
When a pallet sits on a flat floor, every block is supported, so it can take far more weight than when it is carried by forks or spans a rack. That is why EPAL's stacking figures are several times the safe working load.
Published figures
| Pallet | Stacking load (bottom pallet) |
|---|---|
| EPAL 1 | 5,500 kg |
| EPAL 2 | 4,250 kg |
| EPAL 3 | 4,500 kg |
| EPAL 6 and EPAL 7 | 1,500 kg |
| EPAL box pallet | 6,000 kg |
In containers
Our load tables note when double-stacking is limited by the container's door height, not the pallets. The weight check there compares the whole load with the container's guideline payload. Whether goods can bear the stack is a separate question for the shipper.