scope:

This Uniform Voluntary Standard applies to all lumber-deck pallets, either new or repaired, as well as the lumber components and fasteners. Criteria contained in this Standard are applicable only at the completion of manufacture. This Standard does not cover panel-deck pallets.

This Standard is in three parts. Part I is the Prescriptive Standard which concerns the manufacture of the pallet. This includes pallet and pallet component descriptions, fastener descriptions, workmanship criteria, dimensional tolerances, markings, and moisture content levels. Part II is the Performance Standard which concerns the functionality of the pallet. This contains references to the testing of physical and computer models to assist manufacturers, distributors, and users to determine the performance level of a specified pallet. Use of the Performance Standard is required for new pallet constructions, along with conformance to Part I of the Prescriptive Standard. Part III covers the Quality Assurance Auditing Program.

This Standard does not describe established special requirements for export pallets, Enhanced Wood® pallets, and phytosanitary pallets, and does not address the safety problems, if any, associated with the use of wood pallets. It is the responsibility of the user of this Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to its use.

To assist the user of this Standard, other related standards are listed in Appendix B.

In any dispute regarding dimensions of components or defects, the U.S. Customary Units are governing.