§1When to buy it
Closed loops between your own sites, where pallets come back and are washed.
Food, pharma and clean-room operations that need a washable, splinter-free and nail-free surface.
§2RFQ fields
| Footprint | 48 × 40 in, 4-way entry |
|---|---|
| Rated loads | Static, dynamic and edge-racking loads in lb, stating the rack configuration, span direction and temperature the rating applies to |
| Resin | HDPE or PP, virgin or recycled content (%), food-contact compliance if needed |
| Fire rating | State the fire performance your insurer or code official requires for storage |
| Reinforcement | Steel or composite tubes, if needed for the racking rating |
| Wash | Washable at the temperature and chemistry you use |
| Identification | Moulded or hot-stamped ID, RFID or barcode pocket if tracking |
| Volume | Pallet count for the initial float plus replacements per month |
§3Acceptance and reject criteria
| Accept a pallet when… | Reject a pallet when… |
|---|---|
| Rating sheet for the exact model, with the test method named. | Cracks at fork entries or around reinforcement. |
| No cracks, warping or loose reinforcement. | Visible warp that affects racking. |
| Weight within the supplier's stated tolerance. | Missing ID marks if tracking is in the contract. |
§4Inspecting deliveries
- Sample each delivery with an attribute sampling plan agreed in the contract (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 general inspection level II is a common reference), and record the lot size, sample size and defects found.
- Count a pallet as defective on the first reject criterion it meets; don't add up minor faults into a reject unless the contract says so.
- Photograph every rejected pallet with the delivery's bill of lading number visible, and send the photos with the debit note within the contract's notice window.
§5What to watch in the contract
Plastic pallet economics depend on loss. A loop that loses 10% of pallets per trip will never reach the trip count that justifies the price.
Recycled-content plastic pallets can differ in rated loads from virgin versions of the same model. Compare rating sheets, not names.
Grade words vary by supplier and region; confirm every field with your receivers and your own engineering.
For the engineering standards behind these fields, see palletstandards.com.