Euro Pallet Largest Pallet Pool in the World Control by the wood packaging industry Strict certification – EPAL & EURO marking and Number Costs 550 Euro’s Processing Fee 5,500 Euro’s Security Deposit – one time membership Required machinery Choose inspection agent – audit costs associated with production –First year each load –Level two after one year – good performance Staple distributed by inspection agency 1200 Euro’s annual user fee World Wide Trade Mark – prosecution process

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association INTERPAL 6 – CANADA The EURO Pallet. The EURO Pallet. UIC x

? EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association The choices

Self ownership. Closed pools. Pool pallets. Open pools I want to describe a particular open pool system. And allow you to draw your own conclusions. EPAL Known in Europe as white pallets. EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association The choices

? EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association What is EPAL?

Its primary function is quality. It protects the various trademarks. EPAL promotes the EURO pallet. It unites the various sectors: Producers, repairers, logistics, railways, traders, pallet-users. EPAL EUR Centre block markings allow identification. EUR BRB GB EPAL EPAL is a regulatory body. EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association What is EPAL?

It is the biggest pool in the world! At least 300,000,000 pallets. BY FAR!!! Possibly as many as 500,000,000. In spite of this: It ensures pool quality. But it owns no pallets! And availability. Annual production of over 50,000,000. BY FAR!!! Of which EPAL accounts for over 40,000,000. EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association What is EPAL?

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association What is EPAL? Statistics

? EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Why does EPAL exist?

In the beginning! Run by Railway Organisations. Originally good, consistent quality. In some countries got worse over time. Some railways had more important tasks. The result? An independent organisation was needed. EPAL was born! Licensed by the UIC to control pallet quality EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Why does EPAL exist?

? EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association How does it operate?

Organisation Chart EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association How does it operate? Annual General Meeting National Committees Individual Members Associated Members Railway Bodies Board President 7 Representatives Of National Committees 1 Representative of EPP PRESIDENT Working Group Technical Matters Quality Assurance Communications International Affairs Inspection and Training National Committees Producers Dealers Repairers Users Railways Transporters Propositions. Coordination For admission. Assistance to members General Secretariat Chief Executive Officer Supervisor Complaints Committee (The boring bits!)

More practical EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association How does it operate? Board of Direction General Secretariat Carries out instructions of the Board. Discuss and decide all aspects of EPAL Chief Executive Officer Liases with UIC Decides punishments for defaulting companies. Arranges contracts with Inspections Companies and suppliers, and legal activities. Co-ordinates inspections, statistics, testing, charges and all administrative matters.

More practical EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association How does it operate? National Committees Discuss, prepare and recommend any technical and quality issues, to present to the Board. Join working groups of related organisations. Operate In larger producing countries: Assist licence applications. Disseminate information. Working groups Protect the trade marks.

More practical EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association How does it operate? Inspection Companies Report findings to the Secretariat. Appeals Committee Reviews punishments set by Board. Senior supervising inspector. Training to ensure uniform inspections. Assess applicant companies for licence. Make unannounced visits to producers, repairers, and end-users.

? EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Where?

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Where? Europe.

EPAL National Committee EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Where? Europe.

EPAL National Committee EPAL Production Ten Producer/Repairers EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Where? Europe.

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Where? Europe. World United StatesIndiaChina

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Where? Summarising. Produced and repaired in 28 countries. About 1,500 producers and repairers - growing at three a week. Probably over 5,000 supply points About 400,000,000 pallets in circulation. Available in many other countries.

? EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Legislation.

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Phytosanitary matters. ISPM 15 EPAL firmly supports the IPPC standard. Originally decided that standard would be compulsory, from 1st July ONLY HEAT TREATMENT Still fully supports ISPM 15, but as an option for those users that require it. The way forward for wooden packaging Withdrew compulsion because some countries might not be ready in time.

? EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association The future?

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association The future? The growing EPAL family 1200 x x x x x x 1200

- Or older pallets at reduced price. EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association The advantages The advantages of EPAL. Assured quality. Assured value of pallet for resale. Vast quality assured supplier network. - You are always near a source. Ability to negotiate the best deal. - You can buy new pallets. Always available in small or large numbers.

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Cost comparison Cost model. The advantages of EPAL are not theoretical. A study has been undertaken in Italy to compare the costs of this open pool system with a closed system. Prepared by our consultant, Andrea Fossa. Showed an open pool system such as EPAL reduces costs by over 30% compared to a commercial closed pool. Copies of this model are available.

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Contact Information. Website. German French English

EPAL EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION ® European Pallet Association Cost comparison Interpal 6 – Canada – 2005 EPAL – European Pallet Association We Look Forward