Pallet label quality checklist

• At the point of manufacture or
• At the point of dispatch

"We encourage businesses to introduce a robust quality system to ensure ongoing compliance and acceptance of product intretail distribution centers. Companies should consider a range of options that will best suit their business and processes," Steele said. These include: 

• GS1 Australia testing of all new pallet labels, a one-off test session at the commencement of the product line.  
• An annual audit by GS1 Australia via the Logistic Unit Onsite Labelling Assessment Service
• Training of staff to understand industry requirements
• Introduction of quality inspection and assurance practices within the operation

Technical considerations

There are two key opportunities for checking:  

• A physical check of the key data attributes using standard checklists and operating procedures and 
• Scanning of the label tensure readability

Label is attached correctly and includes:

• Supplier details 
• SSCC 
• GTIN of the product 
• Product description 
• Carton quantity on pallet
• Code date information (if applicable)
• Batch number (if applicable)

• SSCC is unique for each pallet
• Both SSCC and Product Information bar codes printed in the GS1-128 Symbology
• Quiet Zones (light margins) must not be infringed. 
• SSCC Bar code Magnification between 48.7% and 92.5%. 
• Product Information bar code(s) magnification between 25% and 100%
• All bar codes are minimum 32mm in height 
• Human readable nless than 3mm height, clear, legible, located below bar code symbology.

• Standard A6 format (105mm X 148mm) is sufficient for most requirements.
• Width should remain constant 105mm 
• Larger label sizes are also permissible
• Label orientation can be either portrait or landscape

The SSCC has not already been issued in the last 12 months

• Two identical labels per pallet, on opposing fork entry sides 
• Vertical position, NOT crooked, creased or angled greater than 5 degrees. 
• 400mm and 800mm from the base of the pallet and no closer than 50mm and no further than 100mm from the right hand vertical edge as per the grocery & liquor industry requirements
• For full pallets - label must be placed on the outside of stretch-wrap
• When multiple pallets are stacked and stretch-wrapped on the same footprint, the pallet labels should be applied underneath the stretch-wrap as the stretch-wrap will be cut away upon delivery intthe DC. 
• When multiple pallets are stacked and stretch-wrapped individually, the pallet label should be applied over the stretch-wrap
• For full pallets - label must be placed on the outside of stretch-wrap
• When multiple pallets are stacked and stretch-wrapped on the same footprint, the pallet labels should be applied underneath the stretch-wrap as the stretch-wrap will be cut away upon delivery intthe DC. 
• When multiple pallets are stacked and stretch-wrapped individually, the pallet label should be applied over the stretch-wrap
• Check the pallet labels are identical per pallet