Criteria
From EPAL Quality Classification poster, EPAL 08/2023.
- No adhesions such as cardboard, foil, tape or labels; some residue permitted
- Signs of use, but no dirt or contamination that may transfer to the payload
- No twisted blocks; fork clearance clear; legs firmly attached
- At least one EPAL marking legible on each side
- Some splitting permitted in the wood
- May have been repaired, with a repair marking nail as proof of licensed repair
Characteristics
- Pallet has already been used
- Mainly light-coloured
- Lightness alone does not guarantee class A; the other criteria must also be checked
- Surface moisture from use or environment is permitted
In practice
Class A is where colour causes the most arguments. The poster says plainly that lightness alone is not a guarantee of class A: a pale pallet with a twisted block is not class A. Grade by the criteria first and colour second.
The MCH note on the poster means suitable for machines, conveyor technology and high-bay racking, with a reference to the GS1 DACH recommendation on monitoring automated conveying and warehouse systems. New, A and B carry that note; C does not.
Typical use: Automated handling and high-bay racking (the poster marks class A as MCH-suitable), retail and food-adjacent loads where appearance matters.
Status of the classification
The EPAL Quality Classification is a non-binding recommendation. It applies only when the companies involved agree to use it. Without that agreement, only the EPAL Terms of Exchange apply, under which new and used EPAL Euro pallets of classes A, B and C are exchangeable without restriction.