EPAL publishes the first version of the PPWR Declaration of Conformity for EPAL Euro pallets
Düsseldorf, 25 July 2025
On 25 July 2025, the European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) published the first version of the declaration on the conformity of EPAL Euro pallets with the provisions of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). With the PPWR Declaration of Conformity, EPAL confirms that EPAL Euro pallets are reusable packaging that meets the requirements of the PPWR.
The EU Packaging and packaging waste Regulation (PPWR) came into force on 11 February 2025, but the application will only start from 12 August 2026. For many provisions, a later start of application is even regulated because not all implementing provisions are yet available or a longer transition period is necessary. On the other hand, the obligation to submit declarations of conformity regulated in Art. 39 PPWR will already apply from 12 August 2026. Many companies that use pallets are therefore already preparing for this and checking the PPWR compliance of the pallets they use.
Dirk Hoferer, President of EPAL:
„The manufacturers of EPAL Euro pallets are receiving an increasing number of requests for a PPWR Declaration of Conformity for EPAL Euro pallets, because many companies want to be sure when purchasing pallets that they will meet the reuse targets set out in the PPWR in the future. We are happy to fulfil this request from our customers, as EPAL Euro pallets and the open EPAL pallet pool are prime examples of reusable packaging and a reuse system as defined by the PPWR.”
Declarations of conformity in accordance with Art. 39 PPWR must generally be drawn up by the packaging manufacturer itself. However, as EPAL Euro pallets are manufactured in accordance with the internationally uniform EPAL standard, EPAL can formulate the PPWR Declaration of Conformity and make it available to the licensed manufacturers and repair companies. Users of EPAL Euro pallets therefore receive the PPWR Declaration of Conformity directly from their suppliers but can also request the Declaration of Conformity from EPAL.
Bernd Dörre, CEO der EPAL:
„EPAL Euro pallets meet all requirements for PPWR compliance of packaging. This is not only confirmed by us in the PPWR Declaration of Conformity but also explained in a compact way. Reuse, repair and simple recycling without generating waste are just a few examples of the PPWR requirements that EPAL Euro pallets have been fulfilling for many years. Important for users of EPAL pallets: EPAL's quality assurance with approx. 25,000 unannounced inspections per year will not only ensure high quality but also the PPWR conformity of EPAL Euro pallets in the future.“
Some of the PPWR's requirements for packaging will only be regulated in detail by the EU Commission in various implementing and delegated acts in the coming months and years. EPAL will therefore regularly amend the PPWR Declaration of Conformity if this is necessary due to the implementing regulations of the PPWR. At the same time, EPAL will also publish PPWR Declarations of Conformity with identical content for all other EPAL load carriers, e.g. for the increasingly popular EPAL3 pallets and for all nine types of EPAL CP pallets.
About EPAL:
The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL), founded in 1991, is an international non-profit association and organizes the open EPAL pallet pool. More than 1,700 EPAL licensees produce and repair EPAL Euro pallets and other EPAL load carriers. Among other things, there are currently more than 675 million EPAL Euro pallets and around 20 million EPAL box pallets in circulation, making the EPAL pallet pool the largest open pallet exchange pool in the world.
The open EPAL pallet pool with its principles of reusing, exchanging, repairing and recycling pallets has been a prime example of a sustainable circular economy for more than six decades. EPAL Euro pallets made of wood make a significant contribution to climate protection. They store CO2, avoid waste, reduce the need for wood and thus improve the CO2 footprint of users in industry, trade and logistics. EPAL Euro pallets are the backbone of the supply chains of industry, trade and logistics in Europe.
Further information for journalists:
European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL)
Fabian Preuss (Communications Officer)
T +49 (0) 211 98 480 48 55
M +49 (0) 0152 55 33 62 88
fabian.preuss@epal-paletts.org