Pallet standards
Summary
Pallets are governed by phytosanitary rules (ISPM 15), design and test standards (the Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets, ANSI MH1, ISO 8611, ASTM D1185), size standards (ISO 6780) and pallet-system specifications (EN 13698/EPAL).
Phytosanitary1
Pallet design and testing11
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (Woodpack Global, formerly NWPCA)The Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets is the North American industry standard for specifying, building and repairing wood pallets: terms, lumber quality, tolerances, fasteners, notches, repair and performance. Woodpack Global (formerly NWPCA) publishes it; it is voluntary and was revised in 2025.
- ANSI MH1: pallets, slip sheets and other bases for unit loadsANSI MH1 is the American National Standard for pallets, slip sheets and other unit-load bases, published by MHI. It covers terminology, sizes, wood pallets, fasteners, test procedures, slip sheets and military pallets. The current edition is MH1-2021; its committee is the US adviser to ISO/TC 51.
- ISO 6780: the six international pallet sizesISO 6780:2003 sets principal dimensions and tolerances of flat pallets for intercontinental handling. It recognizes six sizes: 1200 × 800, 1200 × 1000, 1219 × 1016 (48 × 40 in), 1165 × 1165, 1067 × 1067 and 1100 × 1100 mm, and covers openings, chamfers, wings, flatness and distortion.
- ISO 8611: flat pallet test methods, performance and working loadsISO 8611 is the international standard for testing new flat pallets. Part 1 gives the test methods, Part 2 the performance requirements used to set a nominal load, and Part 3 how to determine the maximum working load for a known payload and support condition. Parts 1 and 2 were revised in 2025; Part 3 dates from 2011.
- ISO 445: pallet vocabularyISO 445 is the international vocabulary standard for pallets used in unit-load handling. It defines the names of pallet types, parts and features so that specs, test reports and other ISO pallet standards use the same words. The current edition is ISO 445:2013, and a revision is in development.
- ISO 18613: repair of flat wooden palletsISO 18613 sets the maximum defects and damage a flat wooden pallet may have before it must be repaired, and the minimum criteria a repair must meet, for pallets repaired with wood-based components. The current edition is ISO 18613:2014. It is the international reference for repair and inspection contracts.
- ASTM D1185: test methods for palletsASTM D1185 is the US test method for pallets and related structures (skids, bases, platforms and bins). Static tests estimate stiffness, strength and safe working loads; dynamic tests estimate durability in handling. Retailers such as Home Depot accept an ASTM D1185 test as an alternative to a PDS report.
- ASTM D6199: quality of wood members of containers and palletsASTM D6199 is the ASTM practice that sets quality requirements for three classes of hardwood and softwood members used in boxes, crates, pallets and blocking and bracing. It limits defects such as knots, decay, splits, checks, warp and wane by class of use. The current designation is D6199-18a, reapproved since.
- ASTM F680: test methods for nails (including the MIBANT test)ASTM F680 is the ASTM standard for testing nails: dimensions, tension, bend, impact bend, hardness and zinc coatings. Its impact bend test is the MIBANT test pallet makers use to check nail stiffness. F680 gives methods only; the product spec sets the pass values.
- ASTM F1667: specification for nails, spikes and staplesASTM F1667 is the ASTM product specification for driven fasteners: nails, cut nails, spikes and staples. It classifies them by type and style and sets dimensions, material, properties and coatings, with testing to ASTM F680. The current edition is F1667/F1667M-21a.
- MIL-STD-147: palletized unit loads for military suppliesMIL-STD-147 is the DoD standard practice for bonded palletized unit loads of military supplies on the standard 40 × 48 in wood pallet. It points to ANSI MH1 Part 9 designs, limits unit-load size and weight (3,000 lb per pallet load in the 2008 base text) and covers bonding and marking.
Pallet systems3
- EN 13698: production specifications for 800 × 1200 and 1000 × 1200 wooden palletsEN 13698 is the European production specification for reusable flat wooden pallets. EN 13698-1:2003 covers the 800 × 1200 mm four-way, nine-block pallet (the euro pallet footprint); EN 13698-2:2009 covers the 1000 × 1200 mm nine-block pallet with skid or perimeter base.
- EPAL: the European pallet system, marks, licensing and exchangeEPAL (European Pallet Association e.V.) runs the open exchange pool for EPAL Euro pallets. Only licensed producers and repairers may make or repair them, and independent inspectors check quality. The EPAL 1 is 800 × 1200 × 144 mm, about 25 kg, with a 1,500 kg safe working load.
- AS 4068: the Australian flat pallet standard (1165 × 1165 mm)AS 4068-1993 is the Australian standard for flat pallets. It set dimensional and performance requirements for 1165 × 1165 mm general-purpose pallets and 1100 × 1100 mm pallets for ISO containers, with a 2-tonne load capacity. It was withdrawn in November 2019 but is still widely cited.
Safety and food2
- UL 2335: fire tests of storage palletsUL 2335, Fire Tests of Storage Pallets, tests how pallets contribute to fire in idle, palletized and rack storage protected by NFPA 13 sprinklers. Plastic pallets listed to UL 2335 or FM 4996 are treated like wood when sizing sprinklers; unlisted plastic raises the commodity class.
- FSMA Sanitary Transportation rule: what it means for palletsThe FDA Sanitary Transportation rule (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart O, published 2016) lists pallets as transportation equipment. Food pallets must be suitable, cleanable, sanitary and stored to prevent contamination. It does not ban wood or require plastic, a set material or "FDA-approved" pallets.