Strengthening the open exchange pool means quality and cost efficiency

European Pallet Association e. V. (EPAL)

PRESS RELEASE

EPAL: Strengthening the open exchange pool means quality and cost efficiency

Additional fees for exchanging Euro pallets due to UIC pallets’ lack of quality assuranceDüsseldorf, 14th December 2016 – The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) views the introduction, by Dachser Food Logistics, of additional fees for exchanging Euro pallets as justified by the insufficient quality assurance of UIC pallets and the UIC’s lack of trademark rights prosecution.A lack of quality assurance is to the detriment of safety and longevity and means, in the end, high additional costs for all involved in the logistics chain due to less rotations per pallet in the pool, higher repair costs and more pallets breaking. The lack of trademark rights prosecutions by the UIC encourages the sale of inferior quality, counterfeit UIC pallets over the borders into the EU markets.The independent quality assurance of EPAL load carriers guarantees high-quality new and repaired EPAL Euro pallets, which stand for safety and cost efficiency. Trademark rights infringements are prosecuted by EPAL and counterfeit EPAL pallets are seized and destroyed.EPAL is responsible for the world’s biggest open exchange pool, which comprises over 450 million Euro pallets, and therefore allows for perfect just-in-time organisation, thus representing the most favourable exchange solution for all users.For EPAL this much is certain: Only those who comply with the rules have the right to participate in the world’s biggest open exchange pool. In order to maintain and strengthen the quality of the world’s biggest exchange pool, EPAL is assuming wider responsibility and increasingly questioning the exchangeability of UIC pallets.

About EPAL:The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) was founded in 1991 as the umbrella association of licensed producers and repairers of EPAL/EUR-pallets and box pallets. EPAL is globally responsible for the consistent quality of the EPAL load carriers and therefore uses an independent external quality inspection service. EPAL has been granting exclusive licenses for the production and repair of Euro pallets with the “EPAL in oval” branded marking on four corner blocks since 1st August 2013. EPAL is currently represented in more than thirty countries by fifteen National Committees which have committed themselves to implementing the EPAL objectives on a national basis. As a registered association, EPAL does not pursue any commercial interests and makes all its decisions in the interests of its industry, trade and logistics partners.For further press information:European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL)Andrea EngelsT +49 211 98 480 48 90M +49 172 69 325 95andrea.engels@epal-pallets.org