TO EIPS Team: This is simply a "straw man" to try to get us started toward actually documenting our ultimate specification. The words are mine alone at this point and are certainly open for critique. I know it is far short of our ultimate goal, but it’s a start.

Objective:

To reduce total supply chain costs by improving the quality and consistency of pallets used within the computer industry integrated supply chain. It is intended that this will be achieved through the application of this VOLUNTARY specification by the organizations which are part of this supply chain; including, but not limited to the following entities:

Component Suppliers --> Manufacturers --> Resellers / Distributors --> Retailers --> Reverse Logistics

a. Component Suppliers: Companies which are key to the process since they are often the originator of the pallet that should be used throughout the pipeline. They ship parts, subassemblies, and finished goods to other manufacturers or direct to selling organizations. Examples: Solectron, Liebert

b. Manufacturers/OEMs: These are the major computer manufacturers who assemble finished goods from parts either supplied or built themselves. Examples: IBM, HP, Compaq, Apple, Micron, Dell, Acer.

c. Resellers / Distributors: Organizations who buy large quantities of goods from Manufacturers and reconfigure per customer order. Examples: Ingram Micro, Magirus, CompuNet, Aslan, MicroAge

d. Retailers: Organizations that receive finished goods from manufacturers mostly in customer ready condition. Examples: Circuit City, Best Buy, Sears, CompUSA.

e. Reverse Logistics: Organizations involved in lease returns, salvage operations, and so on. These organizations may be branches of the large manufacturers or vended operations controlled by them. They may be involved in the end-of-life management of the pallet, reuse, or recycling and so on.

Preferred Sizes:

The following sizes are believed to provide the greatest overall efficiency and minimum adverse impact to the computer industry supply chain. The default dimensions shall be 1000x1200mm but industry partners may specify the 800x1200mm dimension (Euro Pallet) if necessary for their operations. It is expected that the 1000x1200mm dimension will be the prevailing size in the US, Latin America, Asia, the UK and other parts of Europe and therefore will be used to the greatest extent. The 800x1200mm "Euro Pallet" may be the prevailing size and style in some major industrial countries in Europe. Custom pallet dimensions are approved providing that these dimensions reduce the cost of the supply chain by ensuring better fit to cargo containers relative to the size of packaging placed on the pallets. For example: Very large products, of course, are not bound to the default dimensions but should employ one of the modular dimensions if possible. For instance, an unusually long product may force you beyond the 1200mm dimension but if you can maintain the 800mm or 1000mm or 1200mm dimension for the other direction this is best to ensure fit within trucks. Otherwise, designing the pallet to minimize total dimensions is preferred. Custom pallets should be reserved for situations wherein the pallet load consists of a single package or product. For bulk shipping or general purpose palletization the preferred sizes highlighted above should be used. Industry partners are to accept shipments from each other on certified pallets of the preferred size and style without question.

Preferred Styles:

Our preference is the 4-way entry, uni-directional, non-reversible, 9 block style with the open side on the short side of the pallet; or, the 3 bottom decks are same length as longest pallet dimension. This style has the greatest versatility with regard to access for mechanical equipment worldwide. Full perimeter base style is also acceptable but this restricts access for some types of mechanized lift equipment (especially in Europe). However, full perimeter base styles are generally more stable in warehouse stacking situations and protect cartons slightly better than uni-directional styles and are therefore also acceptable. It is the intent of this group to migrate toward the block style (vs. stringer style) in the interest of true 4-way entry and versatility with regard to handling convenience. Add Illustrations...

Minimum Access Dimensions for Lift Equipment:

Pallets should be designed to ensure maximum flexibility with regard to mechananical equipment used for lifting and moving the load. Fork lifts, motorized pallet jacks, and manual pallet jacks should all be able to lift and move the load. We believe the following limits will ensure success in that regard.

bulletAll sides: Minimum vertical I.D. between deck boards or floor and deck boards = 100mm (4" nom)
bulletAt least 2 Opposite Sides: Minimum horizontal I.D. between the 4 corner blocks = 711mm (28")
bulletMaximum O.D. of the five center blocks = 150mm (6" nom), is this too wide for some pallet jacks?

Custom Pallets for Top Heavy Items:

When one of the preferred general use pallets cannot be used because of the unusual size or shape of the product then a custom pallet is required. However, the same principles apply with regard to construction quality, access dimensions and so on. A key point regarding pallets for top heavy items (defined as anything exceeding a height to width ratio of xxx or overbalance tilt angle of xxx) is that the fork access positions only be available in the most stable lifting position. The design should force the fork lift operator to widen the position of the forks and the forks should be surrounded on all sides to prevent tipover incidents. This may preclude any fork access the short side.

Expendable vs. Reusable Pallets:

It is preferred that pallets be designed to ensure reusability. The pallet should be capable of surviving at least one complete cycle through the supply chain, not merely one trip to your customer. It is the intention of this committee that pallets be designed in such a manner that scrap pallets are minimized and that the vast majority of pallets are standard such that they can be reused with confidence. Arrangements for the return and reuse of standard and custom pallets should be made where economical and all partners to this effort should be willing to cooperate on a reverse logistics process where appropriate.

Preferred Materials:

While solid wood continues to be the economical choice there are compelling reasons to consider other types of materials for pallet construction. This becomes even more critical if we agree to a worldwide reusable pool system for our industry. Solid wood has many drawbacks including gaps in the decks, nails, splinters, infestation, moisture, mold, and so on. This committee prefers an alternative material that would otherwise meet all the objectives regarding quality and cost effectiveness performance. We recognize that the purchase price of the pallet may be higher than a typical wood pallet but that the cost per use will be viewed as the key measure.

Alternative Shipping Platforms (such as Slip Sheets):

Use of palletless shipping platforms must be approved in advance by the customer. It is the opinion of this committee that such alternatives are desirable and that as an industry we should try to influence greater use of these alternatives. However, we need greater acceptance of them by the carrier networks (air, ocean, and surface) which requires considerable investment in handling equipment. This is viewed as second phase of this cooperative effort after settling on the pallet standardization issue.

Other Design Considerations:

Weight: The minimum weight within the performance criteria established is the goal. 20kg (44 lbs.) is a target maximum weight.

 

Minimum Performance Requirements:

Any pallet which otherwise meets the general objectives and the minimum requirements listed in this section will be considered acceptable for use within the industry. We do not intend to exclude any materials or inhibit creative invention. These tests will ensure that the pallets used within the industry are rugged and capable of withstanding multiple trips without damage to the products carried on them or resulting in safety concerns. Independent laboratories are available to conduct these tests at the expense of the pallet manufacturer. Only pallets meeting the test standards and certified are to be used where compliance with this voluntary specification is required by your customer.

From Draft Protocol:

bulletWarehouse Stacking (ASTM D1185): Compression Strength
bulletSuggested stack limits: 2.5m (100" nom) dynamic environment, 5m (200" nom) static environment
bulletBending Tests (ASTM D1185): Warehouse Racking
bulletCoefficient of Friction (VTU protocol developed for plastic pallets)
bulletDrop Tests (D1185)
bulletFork Tine Heel Impact (ASTM D1185) on deck edges, blocks, posts, and stringers
bulletVibration Tests (ASTM D1185)
bulletUnit Load Fast Track Handling (Va. Tech)
bulletHandling Access: True 4-way entry for fork trucks and pallet jacks used worldwide
bulletEnvironmental Conditions: Standing water, cold, heat, high humidity, etc.
bulletTest levels for the above to be determined based on computer industry requirements
bulletPass/fail Criteria: To be determined

Certification:

Pallets intended for use as general pallets within the industry which meet the test standard will be marked accordingly (ref. Chemical Industry method CP1, CP2, etc.). Should a similar approach should be used for certified custom pallets or only those used for general purposes?

Environmental Considerations:

Restrictions on commingling, no CFC’s, no heavy metals, etc. Design for recycling after end of life, use of recycled content, and so on. Comments regarding fumigation (avoiding if possible). Others?

Unitization:

Do we need to lay some ground rules here? Example: Proper use and application of stretch wrap, banding, etc or is this out of scope?

Enforcement:

Penalties for non-compliance? How does this fit within a "voluntary standard"?

References and Related Publications:

This list is provided only for convenience and does not necessarily imply that any individual document is a part of this specification. We can trim it down after we’re done.

A. The following references point to the significance of standard footprints and all favor the 1000x1200mm and 800x1200mm dimensions and modular derivatives of these dimensions:

bulletInternational Standard (ISO) 3676: Packaging -- Unit Load Sizes -- Dimensions
bulletInternational Standard (ISO) 3394: Dimensions of Rigid Rectangular Packages, Transport Packages
bulletJapanese Industrial Standard JIS Z 0161: Dimensions of Unit Load Sizes

B. These references are significant pallet construction related standards and specifications:

bulletChemical Industry Pallets (01-08-1995), edition 5
bulletDIN 15 146: Euro Pallet Specification
bulletASTM D1185-94: Pallets and related structures Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping
bulletAdd all referenced ASTM documents listed in the reference section of ASTM D1185
bulletOthers?

C. ANSI / ASME Standards:

bulletMH 1.2.2M: Pallet Sizes
bulletMH 1.4.1M: Procedures for Testing Pallets
bulletMH 1.6: Procedures for Determination of Durability of Wooden Pallets and Related Structures
bulletMH 1.7M: Driven Fasteners for Assembly of Pallets and Related Structures
bulletMH 1.8: Wooden Pallets (in preparation)
bulletMH 1.9: Export Pallets (in preparation)
bulletPPP-P-1660L Federal Specification: Pallet, Expendable
bulletOthers?