In efficiently implemented logistics processes, we commonly deal with advanced mechanization of work. This is possible due to the widespread use of auxiliary equipment, which includes, among other things, various types of load pallets. Among these, the most widespread are four-way entry flat wooden load pallets with a load-bearing surface of 800 mm x 1,200 mm, as reusable devices. It is precisely in relation to these load pallets that a problem has arisen. It stems from the fact that there are two varieties of this type of pallet in circulation. It must be admitted that many users refer to both of these pallets as EUR type, which is not true. To ensure their appropriate quality, they should be produced based on widely accepted standards or specifications.
The first of these varieties consists of EUR type flat load pallets (Figure 1), produced based on the International Union of Railways (Union Internationale des chemins de fer – abbreviated as UIC) specification UIC 435-2: 2005 Standard of quality for a European flat wood pallet, with four entries and measuring 800 mm x 1200 mm (8th ed.). This specification was adopted by railway entities and the European Pallet Association e.V. EPAL (EPAL Pallet Association), affiliated with the UIC.
The second variety of these load pallets should be produced based on the standard established by the European Committee for Standardization CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) EN 13698-1:2003 Pallet production specification – Part 1: Construction specification for 800 mm x 1200 mm flat wooden pallets, the equivalent of which in Poland is the standard PN-EN 13698: 2005.
Requirements for pallets.
Part 1: Production requirements for flat wooden pallets measuring 800 mm x 1200 mm, established by the Polish Committee for Standardization. Pallets produced in accordance with the UIC specification documents and PN are characterized by specific properties, which are summarized in Table 1. Analyzing these two documents, it can be stated that:
1. A pallet made according to PN does not yet have fully defined load-bearing parameters. Its load capacity is only defined for a uniformly distributed load and is identical to that of a EUR type pallet,
2. The nominal dimensions of both pallet varieties are identical. The difference is visible only in the range of permissible tolerances,
3. The difference in the types of wood from which pallet elements can be made is insignificant. However, it can be assumed that this difference is irrelevant, as the majority (93.75%) of the wood species listed in the PN overlap with those contained in the UIC specification,
4. An extremely significant difference occurs in the scope of marking for individual pallet varieties. This is because the production and acceptance of EUR type pallets can only be carried out by companies holding a special license granted by an entity authorized by the UIC. The marks burned onto the outer blocks of EUR type pallets are legally protected, and their differentiation depends on the country of production, while maintaining the same quality regardless of the place of manufacture. Currently, EUR type pallets are marked according to the EPAL system, which, according to information from the Polish National Committee of EPAL (PKN EPAL), is presented as in Table 2. A EUR type pallet produced in Poland according to the EPAL system should be marked as shown in Figure 3. There is also marking with railway signs, which is not covered by the EPAL system (Table 3). This state of affairs arose because some railway entities affiliated with the UIC transferred their rights to EPAL.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 2/2008.