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Pallet standards

What each standard covers, the numbers that matter on a drawing, and which buyers require it.

11 pages

Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets
The Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets is the North American industry standard published by Woodpack Global (formerly the NWPCA). It defines pallet terminology, lumber quality, manufacturing tolerances and minimum fasteners, for example 2 nails per deckboard joint for boards up to 5-1/4 in wide, 3 up to 7 in and 4 up to 8 in.
ISPM 15: heat treatment and marking for export pallets
ISPM 15 is the international phytosanitary standard for wood packaging. Solid-wood pallets crossing most borders must be debarked, treated (most often heat treatment, HT: 56 °C at the core for 30 minutes) and stamped with the IPPC mark showing the country code, producer number and treatment code.
ISO 6780: standard pallet sizes and footprints
ISO 6780 is the international standard for the principal dimensions and tolerances of flat pallets. Its 2003 edition lists six footprints: 1200 x 800, 1200 x 1000, 1219 x 1016 (48 x 40 in), 1165 x 1165, 1067 x 1067 (42 x 42 in) and 1100 x 1100 mm.
ISO 8611: pallet load testing, nominal and working loads
ISO 8611 is the international test standard for flat pallets, in three parts: test methods, performance requirements, and maximum working loads. It separates the nominal load, a comparison rating from a standard test, from the maximum working load, the heaviest payload allowed in a specific load and support condition.
ASTM D1185: pallet test methods
ASTM D1185 is the ASTM standard test method for pallets and related structures used in materials handling. It covers compression, bending (rack) strength, stiffness with a 2-hour creep test, and durability, and it is the physical-test route to a certified capacity rating in the US.
ANSI MH1: US standard for pallets, slip sheets and bases
ANSI MH1 is the American National Standard for pallets, slip sheets and other unit-load bases, with editions in 2016 and 2021. It covers definitions, standard sizes, wood pallet construction, export, driven fasteners, a nail quality protocol, test procedures, slip sheets, military pallets and automated handling.
ASTM F680: nail testing and the MIBANT bend test
ASTM F680 is the ASTM standard test method for nails. For pallets it is best known for the MIBANT (Morgan Impact Bend Angle Nail Tester) impact-bend test, which reports a bend angle in degrees: the lower the angle, the stiffer and better the nail, with 8 to 24 degrees commonly rated excellent.
EPAL Euro pallet specification
EPAL is the European Pallet Association's licensed exchange-pallet system. The EPAL 1 Euro pallet is 1200 x 800 x 144 mm, weighs about 25 kg, and is built from 11 boards, 9 blocks and 78 nails, with a published safe working load of 1,500 kg. Only EPAL-licensed producers may make and mark it.
GMA pallet specification (48 x 40 grocery pallet)
The GMA pallet is the 48 x 40 in grocery-industry stringer pallet from the 1992 Grocery Manufacturers Association spec. A typical build has 3 notched stringers (about 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 in), 7 top and 5 bottom deckboards 5/8 in thick with 5-1/2 in lead boards, partial 4-way entry, and an overall height of 4.75 in.
Costco pallet requirements for suppliers
As documented in 2026, Costco's supplier pallet policy requires pooled block pallets and accepts purpose-built pallets only by exception. A purpose-built whitewood pallet needs a PDS report that includes racking capacity and a user-specified deflection limit, and approval lasts one year. Confirm with the current Costco vendor guide.
Home Depot pallet requirements for suppliers
As summarized from Home Depot's supplier shipping standards in 2026, Home Depot requires a current PDS analysis or an ASTM D1185 test, a minimum capacity of 2,800 lb (3,500 lb for heavy products) with safe load stated stacked 3 high, and it does not allow species classes 7 and 14. Confirm with the current Home Depot vendor guide.

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