Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) has published details on the application of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), confirming that companies using EPAL pallets will not face additional obligations or costs. The regulation, which takes effect on 30 December 2025, covers several raw materials and timber products but does not extend its requirements to businesses delivering or receiving goods transported on EPAL pallets.
According to EPAL, this exemption ensures that suppliers and recipients of goods using EPAL pallets can continue their operations without disruption. Logistics processes, storage, and the exchange of pallets remain unaffected by the new regulation.
The scope of the EUDR includes new EPAL pallets but excludes loaded and used pallets. This means goods transported on EPAL pallets are not subject to compliance checks. Companies using EPAL pallets in day-to-day supply chains therefore do not need to provide or request documentation confirming conformity with the regulation.
The exemption also extends to pallet exchanges. Empty pallets—often moved for reuse, repair, or resale—are not affected by the regulation, safeguarding the efficiency of pallet circulation in logistics.
EPAL pallets are designed for repeated use across many years. To prolong their service life, they are frequently sorted and repaired, which involves the transport of empty pallets. With EUDR obligations not applying to these processes, businesses can continue transporting and exchanging pallets without any regulatory barriers.
This flexibility strengthens the role of EPAL in supporting cost-effective and sustainable logistics. It also highlights the importance of the open pallet pool, which enables reuse and recycling on a large scale, reducing waste and unnecessary resource consumption.
While pallet users face no obligations, EPAL emphasised that compliance will be ensured at the manufacturing stage. Producers of EPAL pallets are responsible for documenting the origin of timber and guaranteeing that materials do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.
This approach gives companies confidence that the pallets they use in supply chains are aligned with EU sustainability goals. Manufacturers already follow strict procedures under the European Timber Regulation (EUTR), which the EUDR now replaces. With the transition, oversight will be extended to include both imports and products manufactured within the EU.
Reusable wooden pallets remain a cornerstone of sustainable transport. Compared with plastic pallets, EPAL wooden pallets offer clear advantages in terms of carbon footprint and environmental impact. They prevent pollution from microplastics, reduce waste, and contribute to carbon storage by retaining CO₂ absorbed by the timber.
For businesses in industry and trade, using EPAL pallets means aligning logistics operations with sustainability objectives. By ensuring EUDR conformity at the production stage, EPAL strengthens its reputation as a trusted partner in eco-friendly supply chain solutions.
The EUDR targets a wide range of products linked to global deforestation, such as palm oil, soy, rubber, coffee, cocoa, and cattle. While timber is included, EPAL pallet manufacturers are well-prepared, having already applied strict sustainability checks since 2010 under the previous EUTR framework.
This continuity ensures that pallet production remains compliant while minimising disruption for businesses. By covering both EU imports and EU-produced goods, the new regulation seeks to close gaps in oversight and reinforce Europe’s leadership in global forest protection.
Founded in 1991, the European Pallet Association e.V. is an international non-profit organisation managing the open EPAL pallet pool. With over 1,700 licensees, EPAL oversees the production and repair of pallets worldwide. Today, more than 675 million EPAL Euro pallets and 20 million box pallets are in active circulation.
The open pallet pool has been a model of circular economy for more than sixty years, promoting reuse, repair, and recycling. This sustainable system not only reduces emissions but also supports the smooth functioning of global supply chains in trade, logistics, and industry.
EPAL’s announcement reassures businesses across Europe that EUDR compliance does not introduce added burdens for pallet users. By managing conformity at the production stage, EPAL allows logistics companies and suppliers to focus on efficient operations while continuing to benefit from one of the most sustainable pallet systems in the world. The open EPAL pool remains a reliable partner for industry and trade, ensuring that environmental goals and logistics needs work hand in hand.
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Tags: epal, EPAL pallets, EUDR compliance, pallet exchange, pallet logistics, sustainable transport
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