What is EPAL Certification?
As an international association, the European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) is responsible for organizing the EPAL Euro pallet exchange pool. EPAL Euro pallets are the cornerstone of industrial and retail supply chains in Europe. The EPAL brand stands for quality, safety and sustainability in logistics.There are currently approximately 625 million EPAL Euro pallets and approximately 20 million EPAL Box pallets in circulation making the EPAL Euro pallet exchange pool the biggest open pallet exchange pool in the world.
More than 1,550 EPAL licensees produce and repair EPAL Euro pallets and other EPAL load carriers globally. EPAL awards licences to carefully checked producers and repairers. These undergo continual and independent inspections by external companies (Bureau Veritas, China Certification & Inspection Group, CCIC). Thus, EPAL is able to ensure consistently high quality worldwide for its EPAL pallets and box pallets.
Benefits of EPAL Certification
- The strongest brand on the pallet market
- Global and unlimited sharing
- Unified quality standard
- Long service life in accordance with the laws of the European Union related to reducing packaging waste
- High commercial value at resale
Certified EPAL Certification Video
Who can be certified EPAL Certification?
Pellet Producer
Pellet Trader
Pellet Manufacture
Document required for EPAL Certification
- Technical File, Product Master File (TCF)
- Product Testing
- System Manual
- System Procedure
- Policy
- Objectives
- Mission & Vision
- Plant Master File
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- Checklist
- Forms
- Formats
- Records
The extent of Documented Information differs as per:
- Product and it's uses
- Testing requirement of products
- Directive in which product classified
- Self Certification or Compliance Certification
- Notify body Certificate
Role of Shamkris and Process of EPAL Certification
Shamkris adopts a results-oriented approach to compliance product certification, A simple & practical method of product certification organization in timely compliance and fulfills the product certification requirement. Shamkris support 100% on documentation required to comply with product certification either by self-certification or notify body certification to depend on directives.
The implementation process is described below:
Day 1
Scope defined,Self
Certification/NoBo/MHRA,
Selection, Cost Estimates
• Finding directive and EPAL standard applicable to the product
• Selecting the appropriate certification scheme
• Based on the scope of the product and certification scheme
Week 1
Developing Documents
• Technical file, Plant Master file and Test Protocol. Management System Manual, Management System Procedures, Policy, Objectives, Forms etc. Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Week 4
Implementing Product Management System
• EPAL Awareness training to QC manager and Production Manager. Implementing a well-documented manual throughout the life cycle of the product
Week 8
Internal Audit, MRM, CAPA
• Internal audits identifying nonconformities related to EPAL requirements. Management Review Meetings. Corrective and Preventive Action plan for nonconformities
Week 10
Self Certification/NoBo/MHRA, Audit, N-C Closing
• Shamkris acts on your behalf and assists you in the third-party audit. Closing of any nonconformities identified by the Self Certification/NoBo/MHRA
Week 12
Self Certification/NoBo
• EPAL certificates issued for 3 years, Surveillance Audits yearly
Year on Year
Yearly Compliance
• Support of Yearly documentation for audit
FAQ
The European Pallet Associated (EPAL) lays down strict regulations governing how Euro pallets are made and their sizes. Although most pallets conform to the 1200mm x 800mm x 150mm sizing, there are in fact different Euro pallet types.
ISPM 15 treatment applied to EPAL pallets is natural and environmentally friendly; it doesn’t use any chemicals. This heat treatment (HT) involves placing EPAL pallets in a treatment enclosure (kiln) in which the wood is heated. The core temperature of the wood must reach a minimum of 56°C for at least 30 minutes.
Approved types of wood include: Coniferous (fir, pine, spruce) Softwood (alder, birch) Hardwood (ash, acacia, oak, maple, sycamore, European chestnut)