The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) has published information on the provisions of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR – European Deforestation Regulation). It explains that for users of EPAL pallets the EUDR imposes no obligations and no additional effort, according to a press release dated September 15. EPAL confirms with the letter that the regulation has no impact on the logistics processes of goods suppliers and recipients and on the exchange of EPAL pallets, it says there.
On December 30, 2025 the application of the EUDR begins. In addition to many other products, new EPAL pallets also fall under the scope of
the EUDR. By contrast, according to the press release, the EUDR is not applicable to loaded EPAL pallets and to used EPAL pallets. Therefore, the users of new or used EPAL pallets do not have to verify the EUDR conformity of the EPAL pallets when they ship, receive or store goods on new or used EPAL pallets.
Jarek Maciążek, President of EPAL:
“Pallets loaded with goods are expressly exempt from the application of the EUDR. The supplier of goods therefore does not have to obtain information on the EUDR conformity of the EPAL pallets used by them or communicate it to the
goods recipient. Also for recipients of goods on EPAL pallets there are no EUDR obligations. For users of EPAL pallets, the EUDR thus creates no additional burden.”
EPAL pallet users not affected
By the exemption of used pallets, the EPAL pallet exchange and the empty-pallet management are also not affected by the EUDR. Users of EPAL pallets therefore also when exchanging, selling and delivering used empty EPAL pallets do not have to fulfil EUDR obligations.
Davide Dellavalle, Vice-President of EPAL:
“EPAL pallets are reused over many years. To extend their service life, used EPAL pallets are sorted and repaired. Both require the
transport of empty pallets, even though the transport routes are very short due to the large number of EPAL operations and EPAL users. Therefore it is important that this part of pallet logistics, i.e., the delivery and transport of empty EPAL pallets, is also not affected by the EUDR.”
The EUDR conformity of new EPAL pallets, which also applies to used EPAL pallets, is to be ensured in the future by the manufacturers of EPAL pallets. According to the association, they check and document the origin of the wood material and ensure that this is not linked to deforestation and forest degradation.
