Transporting refrigerated or frozen products is not just a matter of logistics: it is also, and perhaps above all, a question of regulatory compliance.
Whether you are a restaurateur, distributor, logistics provider or healthcare professional, you are subject to strict standards, such as ATP regulations and HACCP plans. However, maintaining the cold chain cannot be improvised: it relies on compliant equipment - cold rooms, refrigeration units, temperature recorders, etc. and requires perfect temperature control, regular checks and up-to-date documentation.
Not to mention the responsibilities: according to current regulations (Rural Code and European directives), the carrier, the shipper and sometimes the recipient may be held legally responsible for compliance with the cold chain.
But does this mean you have to become an expert in refrigerated transport standards to do your job with peace of mind? Not necessarily with Petit Forestier.
How to transport refrigerated goods?
Transporting sensitive goods (food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, etc.) is not simply a matter of moving them from one place to another. It is about preserving their integrity until they reach their destination, while complying with strict temperature and hygiene conditions.
This is the challenge of temperature-controlled transport: ensuring that each product remains at the right temperature from departure to arrival, without breaking the cold chain.
To achieve this, several rules must be followed:
- Use an ATP-certified refrigerated vehicle that is suitable for the temperature required by the product (frozen, fresh, temperature-sensitive, etc.).
- Maintain a constant temperature throughout the journey, either above or below zero depending on requirements.
- Monitor and record this temperature using compliant sensors or recorders.
- And comply with the hygiene and traceability requirements defined by the HACCP plan.
Please note: ATP applies exclusively to perishable goods intended for human consumption. For other categories of sensitive products, such as medicines, specific standards apply, such as Certicold Pharma or thermal mapping of equipment, to ensure temperature stability throughout transport.
A deviation of a few degrees, even temporary, can compromise an entire delivery. This is a risk not only to product quality, but also to health and safety… and your liability.
The two main regulations governing refrigerated transport that you need to know (and comply with)
When handling, storing or transporting sensitive goods (food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or other), two major standards apply. They structure the entire cold chain: the HACCP plan and ATP regulations.
What is the HACCP plan?
Behind this acronym (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) lies a method that has become essential in the agri-food industry.
The HACCP plan consists of identifying risks (temperature, contamination, chain breaks, etc.) and then putting controls in place to avoid them.
In the context of transport, this involves, in particular:
- ensuring that the temperature is controlled at all times,
- vehicles being cleaned and disinfected regularly,
- temperature data being tracked, verifiable and accessible,
- ensuring that drivers are trained in good practices.
What are the ATP regulations?
The ATP regulation addresses another aspect: the performance of the equipment itself.
Signed by more than 50 countries, it sets technical requirements for all vehicles transporting perishable goods under controlled temperatures. In short, to transport goods legally, your refrigerated vehicle must:
- be classified according to an ATP category,
- be certified as compliant by an approved body (such as Cemafroid in France),
- and undergo inspections at 6 and 9 years, then requalification at an approved testing station at 12 years, which can extend the validity of the certificate to 18 years.
What do FRC, FRB and FNA mean on a refrigerated unit? A temperature, a category
| Class | Temperature range | Examples of products transported |
|---|---|---|
| FNA / FRA | +12 °C → 0 °C | Fruit, vegetables, beverages |
| FRB | +12 °C → -10 °C | Processed fresh products, raw meat |
| FRC | +12 °C → -20 °C | Frozen foods, ice cream, ready meals |
These classes determine the type of insulation, the required cooling capacity, and therefore the right equipment to choose for your business.
Please note: These ATP classifications are defined according to:
- the type of cold produced (F for refrigeration, R for refrigerant),
- and the level of insulationof the cell:
- N for normal insulation (K coefficient > 0.40 W/m²·K),
- R for reinforced insulation (K coefficient ≤ 0.40 W/m²·K).
These factors determine the ATP category assigned and guide the choice of the right refrigeration equipment for your business.
What if I'm transporting locally?
Good question. ATP regulations apply not only to international journeys, but also to domestic transport, including short distances.
Only a few very specific exceptions allow for derogations in the context of domestic transport:
- a journey of less than 80 km without unloading, i.e. without opening the door between loading and final delivery (no intermediate stages),
- the transport of milk in tanks over a distance of less than 200 km (a very specific case, which does not concern the equipment offered by Petit Forestier).
However, in most professional situations, ATP remains mandatory — and often, not being familiar with it means taking risks… or incurring penalties.
And what about "controlled temperature" in all this?
The term "temperature-controlled transport" does not refer to a specific standard, but to a general regulatory framework. It covers all transport of perishable goods that require a controlled temperature to be maintained.
This framework is based on two main regulatory pillars:
- the ATP regulations, which govern the technical compliance of vehicles and containers,
- and the HACCP plan, derived from the European Hygiene Package, which sets rules for hygiene, traceability and health safety.
These are the two standards you need to know (and apply) to comply with temperature-controlled transport regulations.
Compliance in practice: what it means for you
Complying with refrigerated transport standards is not just a matter of certification. It is a set of actions, controls and best practices that must be integrated into your daily logistics operations. Here is what you need to do to remain compliant.
- Choose a well-classified, ATP-certified vehicle: the vehicle used must be suitable for the temperature required for your products (class FNA, FRB, FRC, etc.) and have a valid ATP certificate. In the event of an inspection, this is the first document you will be asked for.
- Keep and present an up-to-date ATP certificate: this official certificate is issued after the vehicle has been inspected by an approved centre. It is valid for 6 years and can be renewed at 9 and 12 years. It must be kept in the vehicle at all times.
- Monitor and record temperatures: to ensure compliance with the cold chain, it is essential to monitor the internal temperature throughout transport.
Depending on the type of goods and the applicable regulations, this may require:- a visible thermometer for fresh produce,
- or a temperature recorder compliant with standard EN 12830 for frozen goods, particularly in the case of long-distance distribution.
- Train your drivers in best practices: even with a vehicle that complies with standards, compliance also depends on human actions: rapid loading, closed doors, limiting the number and duration of openings, managing alerts, etc. Targeted training helps to avoid costly mistakes.
- Clean and disinfect crates regularly: hygiene is a cornerstone of the HACCP plan. Frequent maintenance limits the risk of contamination and prolongs the thermal performance of equipment.
- Anticipate regulatory deadlines: compliance is never a one-time thing. Between ATP requalifications, maintenance, equipment updates, probe replacements, and periodic calibration checks, it is essential to follow a rigorous schedule.
Refrigerated truck standards: with Petit Forestier, you are always compliant without even thinking about it!
Complying with standards is essential. But following them on a daily basis, without forgetting a deadline, inspection or reading, is a real job. It's ours.
At Petit Forestier, all our vehicles are ATP-certified, maintained in accordance with HACCP standards, and equipped with on-board tracking technologies such as Smart Connect. We manage regulatory renewals, temperature readings, maintenance, driver training… and all the mandatory documentation for you.