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ISO standard pallets are developed and introduced by the International Organization of Standardization. This body specifies the basic pallet features and dimensions. Below are the main types of pallets according to ISO.
Europallet
The Europallet was developed by the European pallet association. It is a 120 cm by 80 cm pallet with an 8 cm overhang when placed on a Euro warehouse shelf. ISO calls this type the ISO 1 pallet. This pallet is widely used in Europe and Asia. The pallet's size makes it suitable for small and medium-sized companies. It is also suitable for agricultural products.
ISO 2 pallet
The ISO 2 pallet also referred to as a standard pallet, is 120 cm by 100 cm. The pallet is especially recommended for heavy goods. Large wood pallets can carry heavy loads of up to 1,200 kg without breaking down.
ISO 3 pallet
ISO 3 pallet is 100 cm by 100 cm. This pallet's square design makes it easy to transport goods. It can be loaded and stacked regardless of the orientation of the goods.
Europe and North America pallets
European and North American pallets differ in dimensions and design. Both pallet types comply with ISO standards. The two pallets have different wood types. An EPAL pallet is made of softwood like pine and fir. An ISO pallet uses hardwood like oak and maple.
ISO pallets are much heavier than Euro pallets. This is because hardwood is a denser material than softwood. EPAL pallets are used for light loads. They also have a larger overhang than ISO pallets.
ISO standard pallets are constructed from different materials and have different designs. These differences cater to various needs in packaging and printing. Below are the different designs of pallets according to material types.
Wooden pallets
Wooden pallets are the most common type of pallet. They look rough, but they are very strong. They are also very easy to fix if they break. A wooden pallet is a wooden framework made of slats and blocks.
This type of pallet is widely used packaging for beverages and food. The pallet is heat-treated to kill any pests in the wood before it's used to ship things. This treatment follows the ISPM-15 rule set by the International Plant Protection Organization.
Plastic pallets
Plastic pallets are more costly than wooden pallets. But they are also much better in some ways. They don't rot, rust, or break like wooden pallets can. They also weigh less and don't need as much special treatment before shipping.
Since they are made using injection molding and other plastic-forming methods, the pallets come in a variety of designs. Some of these designs include ones with holes (which are lighter) and ones with runners (which help make stacking easier).
Metal pallets
Metal pallets are the strongest and last the longest. They can hold the heaviest things and work well for special shipping needs like air freight. They are really hard to find, though, and don't have as many styles as the other two types. They come mainly in stainless steel or aluminum.
To get the benefits of using an ISO standard pallet, it's important to take care of them. Below are the ways to maintain the different types of pallets.
Wooden pallets maintenance
This kind of pallet should be kept dry so it doesn't get weak spots over time. Rot can sometimes make the wood break, and the bugs that lived in the wood before might also come out and cause trouble.
Cleaning the pallets regularly also helps prevent infection and disease from spreading through dirty pallets. Inspection of wooden pallets before use is vital to check for broken parts. A broken wooden pallet can cause product damages.
Plastic pallets maintenance
Plastic pallets tend to last longer in harsh weather or different temperatures. Cleaning plastic pallets is very important as well. Cleaning them after every use also helps maintain them. Debris doesn't wear down plastic as much as it does wood, but dirt can still cause problems.
Metal pallets maintenance
Metal pallets don't need as much upkeep, but it's good to check them sometimes to make sure no rust or stains are forming. Indoors, they can last a really long time - up to 10 years. When used outdoors, it's advisable to check for rust and stain occasionally.
ISO standard pallets are very versatile. They can be used for many types of products and shipping needs. Below are common usage scenarios for ISO pallets.
Warehouses
In warehouses, these pallets help keep things organized when stacking multiple items. Their standardized sizes ensure items can be consistently placed on shelves, making finding and retrieving products efficient.
International shipping
For countries shipping to others, using coding pallets makes customs easier since everything is measured the same. This helps ensure that each shipment moves without delays caused by different countries' rules. Using the standard pallets makes the shipping process fast and efficient.
Recycling and reusing systems
The consistency of ISO standard pallets simplifies efforts focused on reusing them multiple times for cost savings. Pallet recycling programs are easier to establish because every pallet has a uniform design that can be recycled, reused, or refurbished easily without creating confusion among different types. This helps decrease waste.
Manufacturing logistics
Production plants find it simple to load and transport materials around their operations when everything uses the same type of pallet for moving items. This standardization enhances safety, speeds up processes, and further innovates seamless integration between the manufacturing and distribution phases.
Buyers should consider several factors when choosing the ISO pallets to buy. Below are the factors to consider.
Material
Wood pallets are affordable and strong, making them ideal for tough work sites. Plastic pallets are lightweight and easy to clean, which works well in places that need to avoid germs or where it’s humid. Metal pallets are heaviest-duty for the hardest conditions, though they’re rare and pricey.
load capacity
The load capacity required relates to how much weight the pallets will need to support in the buyer's operations. Purchasing the right pallets that match this need is important so they don't end up breaking from being overloaded or going to waste because they're too weak for the job.
usage environment
If the pallets will be stored inside warehouses, wooden pallets work well. For outdoor use, choose metal pallets as they can withstand weather. For humid areas, plastic pallets are the most suitable. They won't weaken like wood or rust like metal.
cost
Wooden pallets are the cheapest choice, followed by plastic and then metal, which costs the most. It’s smarter to buy the palette that fits the buyer's needs even if it costs a little more, rather than getting the cheapest one and risking problems later. Getting the right ISO standard pallets saves money by preventing broken pallets, damaged goods, and replacement costs.
Choosing the right pallet saves money by preventing broken ones, damaged products, and the need to replace them. The consistent design of ISO standard pallets enhances operations and simplifies international transport, which is valuable to any business involved in global trade.
Yes, pallets vary in size – small, medium, and large formats, depending on the goods being transported or stored, as well as ISO specifications. While ISO 1 and 2 pallets have standardized dimensions of 120 cm by 80 cm and 120 cm by 100 cm, respectively, ISO 3 pallets measure 100 cm in length and width.
The durability of plastic pallets is determined by their quality. It can be a 5 to 7-year investment with solid plastic pallets like those made from high-density polyethylene.
There are three main types of ISO pallets. They include the ISO 1 pallet, which measures 120 cm by 80 cm, the ISO 2 pallet, which is larger at 120 cm by 100 cm, and the square ISO 3 pallet, which measures 100 cm on each side.
