Criteria
From EPAL Quality Classification poster, EPAL 08/2023.
- No fixed criteria in the EPAL classification; the parties agree them
Characteristics
- Mixed pallets of all kinds
- Exchanged one-to-one between market players
- Criteria and permitted mix agreed individually
In practice
Unsorted is not a quality class. It is a trading category: the poster says the criteria and the permitted mix are agreed between the parties. If you are selling a mixed stack from an import dock, this is effectively what you have until someone sorts it.
Sorting before selling usually helps both sides. Our identifier walks one pallet at a time through the checks so you can estimate the share of new, A, B, C and not-fit-for-use pallets in a load.
Typical use: Bulk trading between recyclers and brokers, where the buyer sorts.
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.