Counterfeit Euro pallets seized in Belgium

European Pallet Association e. V. (EPAL)

PRESS RELEASE

Thousands of counterfeit Euro pallets seized in Belgium

European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) warns against counterfeit pallets from Ukraine

Düsseldorf, 22/12/2016 – Thousands of counterfeit Euro pallets from Ukraine were discovered on 19/12/2016 in Belgium, near to the border with the Netherlands. Altogether, four Ukrainian trucks loaded with counterfeit Euro pallets were stopped, and counterfeits that had already been delivered were seized.

This effective action was made possible by the close cooperation of EPAL’s Belgian National Committee, Belepal, and the EPAL representation in Ukraine. The UIC and their inspection company, SGS, also participated in this action with Belepal. This was as a result of EPAL’s Ukrainian representation again emphasising the problem of massive numbers of counterfeit UIC pallets in Ukraine and EPAL urging the UIC to take action.

Of the seized counterfeits, 90% bore the EUR/EUR or UIC trademarks and 10% bore EPAL markings. The counterfeits discovered were all inferior quality pallets.

The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) has reiterated in many publications in the past, that EPAL Euro pallets should only be bought from licensed producers and repairers.

About EPAL:

The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) was founded in 1991 as the umbrella association of licensed producers and repairers of EPAL/EUR-pallets and box pallets. EPAL is globally responsible for the consistent quality of the EPAL load carriers and therefore uses an independent external quality inspection service. EPAL has been granting exclusive licenses for the production and repair of Euro pallets with the “EPAL in oval” branded marking on four corner blocks since 1st August 2013. EPAL is currently represented in more than thirty countries by fifteen National Committees which have committed themselves to implementing the EPAL objectives on a national basis. As a registered association, EPAL does not pursue any commercial interests and makes all its decisions in the interests of its industry, trade and logistics partners.

For further press information:

European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL)

Andrea Engels

T +49 211 98 480 48 90

M +49 172 69 325 95

andrea.engels@epal-pallets.org