Advantages of Euro Pallets
Seeing the benefits and effective storage of items with euro pallets, many companies around the world especially the European companies ask the suppliers to ship the products using this pallet type. Many companies in the Europe also prefer the euro pallets because it is authorized by the EPAL organization. In addition, the pallet has high commercial value in Europe. In addition, it is an expensive process to dispose of the standard Amercian stringer pallets. There are several other advantages of euro pallet, and they are as follows:
Commercial Value
In contrast to stringer and other American pallet types, europallets have significant commercial value for importers, because they can forward them on directly to customers, or exchange them for newly reconditioned europallets.
Functionality
Many European warehousing and logistics companies have automated material handling systems that accept only genuine, officially inspected and repaired euro pallets. Companies with these systems incur significant costs and delays when they must transfer products from other pallet types on to euro pallets. Shipments of high-value and/or hazardous goods such as chemicals, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals are often processed at such advanced facilities in Europe.
Disposal Taxes
Under the European Union's Packaging Waste Reduction Laws, Germany and other EU nations levy significant disposal taxes on pallets that cannot be reused. In most cases, American pallet types create direct and indirect disposal costs for European importers, due to the impracticalities involved with the reuse and/or recycling or these pallets. Because they are designed for reuse, euro pallets are not subject to these taxes.
Strict Regulations
The non-profit European Pallet Association (EPAL) strictly regulates the construction and repair of euro pallets worldwide, to ensure uniform quality standards for long-term, safe reuse.
ISO Accreditation
The Europallet is one of only six pallet types recognized by ISO.
Traceability
Traceability of each unit is built-in to genuine euro pallets. Euro pallets with counterfeited markings are aggressively prosecuted in Europe. Users as well as authorities can request inspection of any suspect europallets.
Europallet Trademark Protection
“DB”, “EUR” and “EPAL” Trademark Protection and Product Responsibility
Based on International Union of Railways (UIC) leaflets 435-2 and 435-3 and the "Technical Rule Book" of EPAL, europallets must bear on each length the following trademarks:
The trademark EUR protected by the International Bureau for Intellectual Property (OMPI) Geneva, and registered under No. 430 337
The symbol of national railways authorized to attribute their mark according to UIC rules.
The quality label EPAL protected by the International Bureau for Intellectual property, Geneva, as union trademark under No. 617 158.
The protection of the trademark EPAL by the EU office OHIM in Alicante (Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market - Trade, Marks and Designs) is published in the leaflet for community marks No. 1698 of 9th March 1998, page 117.
Based on agreements with the railways EPAL has the right to grant the EUR trademark and railway symbols such as “DB” in recognition of the marking rules of euro pallets. EPAL also has the right to pursue any trademark infringements.
Any blocks exchanged during repairs must also bear the protected trademarks.
Producers and repairers of EUR pallets must be licensed to produce or to repair and have the right to use the protected trademarks.
Abuse or imitation of the protected trademarks shall be pursued by law.
