Chemical pallets (CP pallets) have been a core component of European chemical logistics for greater than three decades, but growing concerns about quality consistency, automation readiness, and regulatory compliance are driving a significant shift. In a recent press release, the European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) announced further integration of CP pallets into the EPAL pallet pool, positioning EPAL CP pallets as a quality-assured, PPWR-compliant solution for chemical supply chains.
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CP pallets were originally developed in the early 1990s by the chemical industry in collaboration with wooden pallet manufacturers, including many EPAL pallet producers. Due to the specific dimensions of chemical transport units such as drums, bagged goods, big bags, and octabins, nine standardized pallet formats (CP1–CP9) were introduced in 1991 and quickly became the industry norm.
However, EPAL notes that in recent years, the lack of an independent quality assurance system for CP pallets has led to increasing variability in pallet quality across the market. This has created operational challenges, particularly as chemical logistics has become more automated and international.
EPAL began addressing this issue in 2018 with the introduction of EPAL CP pallets, bringing CP formats under EPAL’s established inspection and quality assurance framework. Adoption has accelerated steadily, especially in cross-border supply chains. In 2025, several major chemical companies announced plans to exclusively purchase and use EPAL CP pallets starting in 2026, while working with EPAL to update technical specifications for modern logistics environments.
Dirk Hoferer, President of EPAL, framed the initiative as both a technical and collaborative effort. “CP pallets CP pallets have been manufactured and used since 1991,” he noted. “It is therefore time for an update that ensures the consistently high quality of CP pallets by making EPAL’s independent quality assurance part of chemical logistics.
“However,” he added, “it is equally important to us to offer companies and associations in the chemical industry a permanent forum where the chemical industry’s requirements for CP pallets and the expertise of wooden pallet manufacturers can be brought together. In the coming weeks, we will invite all companies and associations in the chemical industry to become part of this forum and discuss the CP pallet of the future with us.”
Automation and dimensional consistency
One of the key drivers behind the renewed focus on CP pallet standards is the continued automation of chemical logistics. Automated transport and storage systems rely on tight dimensional tolerances, and even minor deviations in pallet geometry can cause handling disruptions, equipment faults, or safety risks.
EPAL argues that its standardized specifications and inspection regime are particularly well-suited to these environments, where uniformity and predictability are essential for reliable operation.
PPWR compliance and reuse systems
Regulatory pressure is also reshaping pallet selection decisions. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which entered into force on February 11, 2025, introduces mandatory reuse targets for transport packaging beginning in 2030. Under Article 29(1) PPWR, at least 40% of transport packaging must be reusable across supply chains. For transports within a single enterprise or within an EU member state, reuse targets increase to 100%.
Crucially, packaging is only considered reusable under PPWR if it is part of a recognized reuse system. EPAL positions its pallet pool as such a system, allowing chemical companies using EPAL CP pallets to meet PPWR reuse requirements without redesigning their logistics infrastructure.
Jarek Maciążek, President of EPAL, emphasized the need to adapt an established standard to new regulatory and technological realities. “Since 1991, CP pallets have become the international industry standard for chemical logistics,” he said. “However, new challenges such as the automation and digitalisation of logistics processes and the legal obligation to reuse pallets in a reuse system require the established system to be adapted.
“By integrating CP pallets into the EPAL pallet pool,” he continued, “we want to support the chemical industry in meeting quality and regulatory requirements and to define the new industry standard for chemical pallet logistics together with the chemical industry.”
Durability, reuse, and sustainability reporting
EPAL also emphasized the reuse performance of quality-assured CP pallets. High-quality EPAL CP pallets are designed for multi-year use, reducing replacement frequency and overall pallet costs. Participation in the EPAL pallet pool enables pallet repair, redistribution, and continued circulation, aligning with the circular economy principles increasingly reflected in corporate sustainability reporting.
Looking ahead, EPAL plans to expand digital capabilities for CP pallets. QR code labelling is already in place, enabling basic tracking and identification of pallet movements, which is particularly relevant for regulated chemical products. EPAL is also exploring the use of active tracking technologies through its EPAL Innovation Lab, further supporting transparency and control in chemical supply chains.
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
