BS EN ISO 18613:2014

BSI Standards Publication

Pallets for materials handling

— Repair of flat wooden
pallets
BS EN ISO 18613:2014 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO
18613:2014. It supersedes BS EN ISO 18613:2003 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee PKW/0/-/11, Packaging - Wood.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be
obtained on request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary
provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct
application.
© The British Standards Institution 2014. Published by BSI Standards
Limited 2014
ISBN 978 0 580 79326 4
ICS 55.180.20
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 November 2014.
Amendments issued since publication
Date Text affected
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO 18613
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2014

ICS 55.180.20 Supersedes EN ISO 18613:2003

English Version

Pallets for materials handling - Repair of flat wooden pallets (ISO

18613:2014)

Palettes pour la manutention et le transport des Paletten für die Handhabung von Gütern - Reparatur von
marchandises - Réparation des palettes plates en bois (ISO Flachpaletten aus Holz (ISO 18613:2014)
18613:2014)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 August 2014.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 18613:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN ISO 18613:2014
EN ISO 18613:2014 (E)

Foreword

This document (EN ISO 18613:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 51 “Pallets for unit
load method of materials handling" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 261 “Packaging” the
secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2015, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the
latest by May 2015.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN ISO 18613:2003.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice

The text of ISO 18613:2014 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 18613:2014 without any modification.

3
 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Contents Page

Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... iv
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
4 Defects and damage criteria...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.1 Overriding criterion............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
4.2 Nail joint strength.................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
4.3 Inspection..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.4 General conditions identifying an unacceptable pallet......................................................................................... 2
5 Repair................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
5.1 General............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
5.2 Repair of pallets of known specification............................................................................................................................ 3
5.3 Repair of pallets of unknown specification..................................................................................................................... 3
5.4 Marking.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.5 Final inspection of repaired pallets....................................................................................................................................... 5
6 Recycling - disposal............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Annex A (informative) Defects and damage which make a 4-way block pallet unacceptable
for use............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Annex B (informative) Defects and damage which make a perimeter base pallet
unacceptable for use......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Annex C (informative) Defects and damage which make a 2-way stringer (bearer) pallet
unacceptable for use......................................................................................................................................................................................10
Annex D (informative) Defects or damage which make a partial 4-way pallet unacceptable
for use............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Annex E (normative) Metal plates for repairing of notched stringers (bearers).................................................13
Annex F (informative) Action needed for the repair of pallets of unknown specification.........................15
Annex G (informative) Special accuracy and tolerance for repaired pallets (e.g. for use in
certain automatic handling systems)............................................................................................................................................16
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  iii

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any
patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on
the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 51, Pallets for unit load method of materials handling.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 18613:2003), which has been
technically revised.

iv  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Introduction
Mandatory requirements for recycling of packaging materials has led to an expansion of reuse, repair
and recycling of wooden pallets. This International Standard is intended to assist this process, in
that, through its implementation, the safety and longevity of repaired pallets will be maximised.
This International Standard also refers particularly to new pallet standards and prescriptive pallet
specifications in wide use.
There is no requirement in this International Standard for pallet repairers to undertake tests, since, if
guidance given in this International Standard is followed and systematic repair and inspection systems
are used, then a successful repair is assumed to follow.
There are four related International Standards:
— ISO 15629, Pallets for materials handling — Quality of fasteners for assembly of new and repair of used,
flat wooden pallets
— ISO 18333, Pallets for materials handling — Quality of new wooden components for flat pallets
— ISO 18334, Pallets for materials handling — Quality of assembly of new wooden pallets
— ISO 18613, Pallets for materials handling — Repair of flat wooden pallets

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  v

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18613:2014(E)

Pallets for materials handling — Repair of flat wooden pallets

1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the maximum defects and damage allowed before a flat wooden
pallet shall be repaired, and defines the minimum repair criteria that shall be used.
This International Standard is applicable to wooden flat pallets repaired with wood based components.
NOTE The maximum allowed defects and damage for pallets are described in this International Standard
and the Annexes A to D show examples of defects and damage which make the widely used pallets unacceptable
for use. For other pallet types similar criteria should be set up. The repair criteria for pool and rental pallets are
controlled by their respective controlling operators/owners, and may be subject to a licence.

2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 445, Pallets for materials handling — Vocabulary
ISO 15629, Pallets for materials handling — Quality of fasteners for assembly of new and repair of used, flat,
wooden pallets
EN 1087-1:1994, Particleboards — Determination of moisture resistance— Boil test

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO  445 (some of which are
repeated below for convenience) and the following apply.
3.1
board
top deck board, bottom deck board, or stringer board
3.2
deckboard
individual member of a top or bottom deck
3.3
bottom deck board
individual member of bottom deck
3.4
stringerboard
horizontal member linking the blocks and deckboards
3.5
stringer or bearer
continuous longitudinal member underneath the top deck or between the top and bottom decks, which
provides space for the entry of fork-lift forks and pallet-truck fingers

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  1

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


4 Defects and damage criteria

4.1 Overriding criterion

The overriding criterion for an unacceptable pallet is if its condition is such that it cannot be regarded as
safe and that handling the pallet might be dangerous for persons or goods (as illustrated in Annexes A to D).

4.2 Nail joint strength

Nail joint strength is particularly important for the performance of pallets.

4.3 Inspection
Inspection of a pallet shall take place before any handling, whether loaded or empty.

4.4 General conditions identifying an unacceptable pallet

The general conditions which make a pallet unacceptable for use are as follows.
a) One deckboard missing or broken, either obliquely or across.
b) Either one block, stringer (bearer) or stringerboard missing or broken.
c) Missing wood on deckboards to such an extent that on one deckboard, two or more nail shanks are
visible, or on more than two deckboards, one or more nail shanks are visible, or missing wood of
more than 1/4 of the width of the board for 1/4 length. Missing wood on a deckboard between the
blocks of more than 1/4 of the width of the deckboard.
d) Splits on deckboards of more than 1/2 of the width or the length of the deckboard, which cannot be
securely nailed.
e) Wings on pallets may only have missing wood from inner deckboard ends for a maximum of 1/3 of
projecting wing length.
f) Missing wood on blocks, stringers (bearers) or stringerboards, if more than one nail shank is visible
at any one joint.
g) Depending on use, dirty or contaminated pallet. If any doubt exists as to the nature of the
contamination, care shall be taken in its identification and subsequent disposal.
h) Older pallets with a combination of minor damage or loose joints and with a poor appearance may
have a combination of issues and be unacceptable when viewed as a whole.
i) Pallets with bad workmanship. Pallets with materials or components that have been previously
incorrectly applied.
j) Components affected by decay which could affect their mechanical properties.
k) Full width splits of any length in stringer (bearer) notches.
NOTE Attention is also drawn to publication UIC-Leaflet 435–4 (2010) ‘Repair of EUR flat pallets and EUR
box pallets’.

5 Repair

5.1 General
Components with unacceptable defects or damage shall be removed and replaced by new or re-used
components of one piece.

2  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


5.1.1 Blocks of particleboard

If blocks of particleboard are used they shall conform to EN 1087-1. The density of the particle board
shall be more than 580 kg per cubic metre.

5.1.2 Bottom deckboards

Bottom deckboards and the corners of the pallet shall be chamfered, if required.

5.1.3 Nail heads

Nail heads shall be countersunk so that the top of the head of the nail cannot be snagged above the surface.

5.2 Repair of pallets of known specification

Replacement components shall be from new or re-used materials. They shall be in accordance with
the relevant specifications of the pallet and its repair requirements in the relevant standards. Re-used
components shall conform to all the requirements of the new pallet component specifications. No
missing wood or splits are allowed in these re-used components. The nails used and the final assembled
pallet shall meet the requirements of the specifications for that pallet.
NOTE Repair requirements may differ from the new pallet specification. Details as agreed by contract.

Pallets which are unacceptable for use, shall be repaired or disposed of, and marking requirements met
as defined in 5.4.

5.3 Repair of pallets of unknown specification

If the specification is not known or no specification exists, the replacement components shall have the
same dimensions and quality as the removed components. Replacement components may be from new
or re-used materials. Components shall meet the conditions given in 5.3.3. Too many nail holes may
weaken the component.

5.3.1 Dimensional tolerances

The general maximum permitted tolerances from basic dimensions for pallets of unknown specifications
shall be as in Table 1.

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  3

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Table 1 — General maximum permitted tolerances from basic dimensions for pallets of
unknown specifications
Component Tolerance
Length + 8 / − 8 mm
Width + 8 / − 8 mm
Overall height + 10/ − 10 mm
Diagonal difference + 10/ − 10 mm
Flatness Within 10 mm
Block twist No overhang
Top gaps Max 65 mm
Lead board position from edge + 0 / − 5 mm
Inner deckboard position from centre line + 2,5 / − 2,5 mm
Stringerboard position from centre line + 2,5 / − 2,5 mm
Stringer (bearer) position from centre line + 5 / − 5 mm
Butted joints Max 5 mm
Nail counter-sinking from the surface − 1 / − 5 mm
NOTE The pallets should be flat on their top and bottom surfaces to within 6 mm maximum deviation from the corner-
to-corner straight line. Other accuracy requirements may be specified. Annex  G shows one example of high accuracy
requirements.

5.3.2 Assembly

5.3.2.1 General

For assembly, the following fasteners having the physical characteristics described in ISO 15629, Annex A
shall be used. The specification of the nails shall meet the requirements of the pallets concerned.

5.3.2.2 Boards - blocks or stringers (bearers)

Twisted square wire, helically threaded, annular threaded nail (the length of the nail depends on the
depth of the assembly). The nail penetration shall be at least 35 mm into the block or stringer (bearer).

5.3.2.3 Deckboards - stringerboards

Twisted square wire, helically threaded, annular threaded nail (the length of the nail depends on the
combined thickness of the stringerboards and deckboards). If the nail is not clinched, the nail shall not
penetrate the underside of the stringer board. If the nail is clinched the clinch shall be 10 mm. Plain nails
may also be used if the nail is clinched.

5.3.2.4 Positioning and number of nails used in assembly

The number of nails per joint and the correct positioning shall repeat the pattern of the original pallet.
Nails shall be positioned no closer than 15 mm from either the end or the edge of a board.

5.3.2.5 Repair of notched stringers (bearers)

Full width splits in notched stringers (bearers) of partial four-way pallets shall be repaired using metal
plates according to Annex E.

5.3.3 Components

Components shall have maximum tolerances as shown on Table 2.

4  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Table 2 — Maximum tolerances for components

Component Maximum tolerance
Thickness of stringerboards and deckboards + 2 / − 2 mm
Width of deckboards + 10 / − 10 mm
Length of stringerboards and deckboards + 5 / − 10 mm
Height of blocks or stringers (bearers) + 2 / − 2 mm
Length or width of blocks or stringers (bearers) + 5 / − 5 mm

5.4 Marking
The marking of repaired pallets shall be as defined by the competent authority and may be identified for
example, by a pool mark or identification nail (or fastener).
Reference should be made to ISPM 15 for phytosanitary marking.

5.5 Final inspection of repaired pallets

The overall size accuracy of the pallet and the minimum dimensions of the openings shall be met and
all joints shall be fixed with the relevant number of nails. The repaired pallets are required to conform
to the physical requirements of the intended use. The inspection of pallets of known specification is
controlled by the competent authority.

6 Recycling - disposal
Pallets which cannot be repaired for reuse in line with these specifications shall be discarded.
NOTE 1 After removing the markings, some pallets may be used as limited use pallets.

NOTE 2 Components of good condition can be used as replacement components.

NOTE 3 Other methods for disposal include grinding, composting and burning.

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  5

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Annex A
(informative)

Defects and damage which make a 4-way block pallet

unacceptable for use

A.1 Criteria for when a 4-way block pallet cannot be reused (see Figure A.1)
1) A top deck board or a bottom deck board or a stringerboard is missing or broken;
2) missing wood on lead top deck boards or lead bottom deck boards to such an extent that on one
deckboard, two or more nail shanks are visible, or on more than two deckboards and stringerboards,
one or more nail shanks are visible;
3) a block is missing, broken or split to such an extent that more than one nail shank is visible.

Figure A.1 — Example of a 4-way block pallet unacceptable for use

A.2 Other defects and damage which make a 4-way block pallet unacceptable for use
i) Essential markings stipulated in a specification are missing or illegible;
ii) inadequate components have been used (boards or blocks too thin, too narrow, too short);

6  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


iii) the general condition is so poor that the load-bearing capacity cannot be ensured (rotten boards or
several splits in boards or blocks), the merchandise risks being damaged.

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  7

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Annex B
(informative)

Defects and damage which make a perimeter base pallet

unacceptable for use

B.1 Criteria for when a 4-way perimeter base pallet cannot be reused (see
Figure B.1)
1) A top deck board or a bottom deck board or a stringerboard is missing;
2) a top deck board or a bottom deck board or a stringerboard is broken;
3) missing wood on a top deck board or a bottom deck board or a stringerboard of more than 1/4 of the
width of the board;
4) missing wood on a top deck board or a bottom deck board or a stringerboard between 2 blocks of
more than 1/4 of the width of the board or if nails are visible;
5) splits on top deck boards or bottom deck boards of more than 1/2 of the width or the length of the board;
6) a block is missing;
7) missing wood or splits on a block of more than 1/2 of the width or height of the block;
8) a block is turned about more than 30°;
9) nail heads or nail points are protruding through the boards.

Figure B.1 — 4-way perimeter base pallet, criteria for unacceptable use

8  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


B.2 Other defects and damage which make a 4-way perimeter base pallet
unacceptable for use
i) Essential markings stipulated in a specification are missing or illegible;
ii) inadequate components have been used (boards or blocks too thin, too narrow, too short);
i) the general condition is so poor that the load-bearing capacity cannot be ensured (rotten boards or
several splits in boards or blocks), the merchandise risks being damaged.

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  9

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Annex C
(informative)

Defects and damage which make a 2-way stringer (bearer) pallet

unacceptable for use

C.1 Criteria for when a 2-way stringer (bearer) pallet cannot be reused (see
Figure C.1)
1) A top deck board or a bottom deck board is missing or broken;
2) missing wood on lead top deck boards to such an extent that on one board two or more nail shanks are
visible, or on more than two top deck boards, one or more nail shanks are visible. Or there is missing
wood on a top or bottom deck board of more than 1/4 of the width of the board, for 1/4 length;
3) splits on top or bottom deck boards of more than 1/2 of the length or width of the board;
4) a stringer (bearer) is missing, broken or split to such an extent that more than one nail shank is visible;
5) missing wood or splits on a stringer (bearer) of more than 1/2 of the height of the stringer (bearer).

Figure C.1 — Criteria for which a 2-way stringer (bearer) pallet cannot be reused

C.2 Other defects and damage which make a 2-way stringer (bearer) pallet
unacceptable for use
i) A stringer (bearer) has splits across its full width;
ii) nail heads or nail points are protruding the boards;
iii) essential markings stipulated in a specification are missing or illegible;
iv) inadequate components have been used (boards or stringers (bearers) too thin, too narrow, too short);
v) the general condition is so poor that the load-bearing capacity cannot be ensured (rotten boards or
several splits in boards or stringers (bearers), the merchandise risks being damaged.

10  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Annex D
(informative)

Defects or damage which make a partial 4-way pallet

unacceptable for use

D.1 Criteria for when a partial 4-way pallet cannot be reused (see Figure D.1)
1) A top deck board or a bottom deck board is missing or broken;
2) missing wood on lead top or bottom deck boards to such an extent that on one board two or more
nail shanks are visible, or on more than 2 top or bottom deck boards, one or more nail shanks are
visible. Or there is missing wood on a top or bottom deck board of more than 1/4 of the width of the
board, for 1/4 length;
3) splits on top or bottom deck boards of more than 1/2 of the width or length of the board;
4) a stringer (bearer) is missing, broken or split to such an extent that more than one nail shank is visible;
5) missing wood or splits on a stringer (bearer) of more than 1/2 of the width or height of the
stringer (bearer);
6) a notched stringer (bearer) has splits across full width at the inner end of the notch;
7) nail heads or nail points are protruding through the boards.

a)

b)

c)

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  11

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


d)

Figure D.1 — Criteria for which a partial 4-way pallet cannot be reused

D.2 Other defects and damage which make a partial 4-way pallet unacceptable
for use
i) Essential markings stipulated in a specification are missing or illegible;
ii) inadequate components have been used (deckboards or stringers (bearers) too thin, too narrow,
too short);
iii) the general condition is so poor that the load-bearing capacity cannot be ensured (rotten boards or
several splits in boards or stringers (bearers), the merchandise risks being damaged.

12  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Annex E
(normative)

Metal plates for repairing of notched stringers (bearers)

E.1 General
E.1.1 Minimum plate specifications
Repairs using metal plates shall conform to the criteria given below for size, material, coating, teeth and
application (see Figure E.1).

E.1.2 Size
The plates shall be a minimum of 70 mm in length or width and a minimum of 7100 mm2 in area as
determined by external plate dimensions.

E.1.3 Material
The material shall be of a 0,90  mm minimum target thickness with a tolerance of  ±  0,15  mm, of un-
coated, sheet steel.

E.1.4 Coating
The coating should be of Hot-Dip galvanized designation.

E.1.5 Teeth
There shall be at least four teeth per 645 mm2 of plate area as determined by external dimensions. The
length of teeth shall be at least 8,0 mm excluding plate thickness.

Figure E.1 — Metal plate

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  13

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


E.2 Metal plate application

E.2.1 General
Repairs to vertical splits of any kind and repair of damage (splits at large knots) above the stringer
notches are not acceptable (see Figure E.2).

E.2.2 Applying plates to a pallet

Apply plates with mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic power, using machinery designed and
manufactured for this purpose.

E.2.3 Minimum number of plates to be applied

A minimum of two plates shall be used per repair. The plates shall be applied opposite one another on
each stringer side, flush with the wood surface. Plates shall then be aligned in such a way that they do
not overhang the stringer (bearer) ends or edges and the plate’s edges will be approximately parallel to
the ends or edges of the stringer (bearer). All teeth of each plate are to be pressed into the wood. Splits
longer than 200 mm shall be repaired with four plates.

Figure E.2 — Metal plate application

14  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Annex F
(informative)

Action needed for the repair of pallets of unknown specification

F.1 Repair action

The repair action needed to carry out a repair of pallets of unknown specification should be as in Table F.1.

Table F.1 — Action needed for the repair for pallets of unknown specification
Reference Type of fault Action

General inadequate components Change component

General poor general condition Not repairable

Boards a deckboard is missing replace component

Boards a deckboard is broken obliquely or across replace component
Boards missing wood on boards end
- on lead boards replace component
- on other deckboards keep component
Boards missing wood
- of more than 1/4 of the deckboard’s width replace component
- less than 1/4 of the deckboard‘s width re-nailing if necessary

Blocks and bearers a block or stringer (bearer) is missing replace

Blocks and - missing wood or splits on a block of more than 1/3 replace block
stringers of blocks width or height
replace or apply proper metal plates
(bearers)
- a stringer (bearer) is split across width to both faces of stringer (bearer)
Blocks and a block is turned about
stringers - more than 30° bring into line, re-nailing
(bearers)
- less than 30 ° re-nailing

Nails nail heads or nail points are protruding from the bend back
deckboards add nails
missing nails
renailing
loose joints

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  15

BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Annex G
(informative)

Special accuracy and tolerance for repaired pallets (e.g. for use in
certain automatic handling systems)

G.1 Tolerances
The general maximum permitted tolerances from basic dimensions and positions are given in Table G.1.

Table G.1 — General maximum permitted tolerances from basic dimensions and positions
Reference position or dimension Tolerance
Length + 3 / − 3 mm
Width + 3 / − 3 mm
Overall height + 7 / − 5 mm
Diagonal difference + 10 / − 10 mm
Flatness 1 within 7 mm
Block twist no overhang
Top gaps max 50 mm
Lead deckboard position from edge + 0 / − 3 mm
Inner deckboard position from centre line + 2,5 / − 2,5 mm
Stringerboard position from centre line + 1,5 / − 1,5 mm
Stringer (bearer position from centre line + 1,5 / − 1,5 mm
Butted joints no gap
Nail counter-sinking from surface − 1 / − 5 mm
Marking Level and centre
Wings + 5 / − 5 mm
Chamfers Vertical at least 15 mm
1 The pallets should be flat on their top and bottom surfaces to within 6 mm maximum deviation from the corner-to-
corner straight line.

16  © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 18613:2014
ISO 18613:2014(E)


Bibliography

[1] EN 10230-1, Steel wire nails — Loose nails for general application
[2] EN 12246, Quality classification of timber used in pallets and packaging
[3] EN  13698-1, Pallets product specification  — Part 1: Construction specification for 800  mm x
1200 mm wooden pallets
[4] ISO 18333, Pallets for materials handling — Quality of new wooden components for flat pallets
[5] ISO 18334, Pallets for materials handling — Quality of assembly of new wooden pallets
[6] International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No. 15. (ISPM 15),
Regulation for wood packaging material in international trade
[7] UIC-Leaflet 435-4 (2010), Repair of EUR flat pallets and EUR box pallets

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved  17

This page deliberately left blank
This page deliberately left blank
NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

British Standards Institution (BSI)

BSI is the national body responsible for preparing British Standards and other
standards-related publications, information and services.
BSI is incorporated by Royal Charter. British Standards and other standardization
products are published by BSI Standards Limited.

About us Revisions
We bring together business, industry, government, consumers, innovators Our British Standards and other publications are updated by amendment or revision.
and others to shape their combined experience and expertise into standards We continually improve the quality of our products and services to benefit your
-based solutions. business. If you find an inaccuracy or ambiguity within a British Standard or other
The knowledge embodied in our standards has been carefully assembled in BSI publication please inform the Knowledge Centre.
a dependable format and refined through our open consultation process.
Organizations of all sizes and across all sectors choose standards to help Copyright
them achieve their goals. All the data, software and documentation set out in all British Standards and
other BSI publications are the property of and copyrighted by BSI, or some person
Information on standards or entity that owns copyright in the information used (such as the international
We can provide you with the knowledge that your organization needs standardization bodies) and has formally licensed such information to BSI for
to succeed. Find out more about British Standards by visiting our website at commercial publication and use. Except as permitted under the Copyright, Designs
bsigroup.com/standards or contacting our Customer Services team or and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
Knowledge Centre. or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, photocopying, recording
or otherwise – without prior written permission from BSI. Details and advice can
Buying standards be obtained from the Copyright & Licensing Department.
You can buy and download PDF versions of BSI publications, including British
and adopted European and international standards, through our website at Useful Contacts:
bsigroup.com/shop, where hard copies can also be purchased. Customer Services
If you need international and foreign standards from other Standards Development Tel: +44 845 086 9001
Organizations, hard copies can be ordered from our Customer Services team. Email (orders): [email protected]
Email (enquiries): [email protected]
Subscriptions
Subscriptions
Our range of subscription services are designed to make using standards
Tel: +44 845 086 9001
easier for you. For further information on our subscription products go to
Email: [email protected]
bsigroup.com/subscriptions.
With British Standards Online (BSOL) you’ll have instant access to over 55,000 Knowledge Centre
British and adopted European and international standards from your desktop. Tel: +44 20 8996 7004
It’s available 24/7 and is refreshed daily so you’ll always be up to date. Email: [email protected]
You can keep in touch with standards developments and receive substantial
Copyright & Licensing
discounts on the purchase price of standards, both in single copy and subscription
format, by becoming a BSI Subscribing Member. Tel: +44 20 8996 7070
Email: [email protected]
PLUS is an updating service exclusive to BSI Subscribing Members. You will
automatically receive the latest hard copy of your standards when they’re
revised or replaced.
To find out more about becoming a BSI Subscribing Member and the benefits
of membership, please visit bsigroup.com/shop.
With a Multi-User Network Licence (MUNL) you are able to host standards
publications on your intranet. Licences can cover as few or as many users as you
wish. With updates supplied as soon as they’re available, you can be sure your
documentation is current. For further information, email [email protected].

BSI Group Headquarters

389 Chiswick High Road London W4 4AL UK