For the effective use of mechanization implemented in logistics processes, flat wooden four-way entry EUR-type load pallets with a load-bearing surface of 800 mm x 1200 mm are commonly used (Figure 1). These pallets owe their widespread use to the fact that for several decades they have been produced based on successive editions of the International Union of Railways (Union Internationale des Chemins de fer – abbreviated as UIC) leaflet UIC 435-2: 2005 Standard of quality for a European flat wood pallet, with four entries and measuring 800 mm x 1200 mm, which clearly specifies their properties. The authenticity of EUR-type pallets is confirmed by legally protected marks placed on their blocks on the long side. Currently, pallets produced under an EPAL license have additional authenticity markings placed on the center block (Figure 2) and are accepted by entities with appropriate authorizations. Life has shown that many EUR-type pallets have appeared on the market illegally marked with protected signs, in most cases characterized by poor workmanship, which posed a huge threat to the safety of people and the goods transported on them. The situation on the market was changed by the Act of June 30, 2000, Industrial Property Law (Journal of Laws No. 119 of 2003, item 1117, as amended). According to this act, anyone who places goods on the market, in this case, EUR-type flat load pallets, marked with a legally protected trademark that they have no right to use, or trades in pallets marked with such signs, violates the law and, therefore, can be prosecuted and held criminally liable.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 6/2008.