Block and stringer pallets have different structural and handling characteristics.
Standard Overview
Stringer pallets feature 3 stringer boards running the length of the pallet; block pallets use 9 wood blocks at corners and midpoints.
How It Applies to US Pallet Operations
This standard shapes US pallet manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain practices. Per CBA, the standard provides the technical foundation for industry-wide quality assurance.
Compliance Pathway
Compliance with this standard requires: documented process control, qualified personnel, audit-ready records, and periodic re-certification. NWPCA provides industry guidance on implementation.
Audit and Verification
Third-party audit and verification support compliance documentation. CBA accredited agencies conduct facility audits and product testing per the standard.
USP Implementation
United States Pallets manufactures and distributes pallets aligned with this standard. Audit-ready documentation accompanies every load, supporting customer compliance verification.
Authoritative References
- Consumer Brands Association (formerly GMA) (CBA): the trade association whose 48x40 inch pallet standard (the "GMA pallet") became the dominant US pallet specification.
- ASTM International (ASTM): the global standards body that publishes ASTM D1185 (Standard Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping).
- National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA): the US trade association representing wood pallet manufacturers, recyclers, and component producers, founded in 1947.
- Material Handling Institute (MHI): the largest US trade association for material handling, logistics, and supply chain technologies.