One of the most widely recognised standards for refrigerated transport is ATP certification. While many fleet managers have heard of ATP, there is often confusion about what it covers, when it applies and whether every refrigerated vehicle requires it.
This guide explains what ATP certification is, how it works, what it tests and why it remains an important consideration for organisations operating temperature-controlled vehicle fleets.
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Question |
Answer |
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What does ATP stand for? |
Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to Be Used for such Carriage. |
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What does ATP certification assess? |
The thermal insulation and refrigeration performance of temperature-controlled vehicle bodies. |
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Does every refrigerated vehicle require ATP certification? |
No. Whether ATP certification is required depends on the nature of the transport operation and any applicable regulatory or contractual requirements. |
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Who commonly uses ATP- certified vehicles? |
Businesses involved in temperature-controlled food distribution, international transport and other operations where ATP compliance is specified. |
ATP stands for the Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to Be Used for such Carriage.
The agreement was developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to establish consistent standards for transporting perishable food products between participating countries. Rather than regulating the food itself, ATP focuses on the performance of the refrigerated equipment used to transport it.
To achieve ATP certification, a refrigerated vehicle body must undergo testing to demonstrate that it can maintain defined levels of thermal insulation and refrigeration performance. Vehicles that successfully meet the required standards are issued with an ATP certificate for a specified period.
Today, ATP provides an internationally recognised benchmark for refrigerated vehicle performance and is widely referenced throughout the temperature-controlled transport industry.
ATP certification is designed to verify that a refrigerated vehicle is capable of maintaining suitable thermal performance under controlled testing conditions.
Testing focuses on the vehicle body and refrigeration equipment rather than the cargo being transported.
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ATP assessment area |
Purpose |
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Thermal insulation |
Measures how effectively the insulated body limits heat transfer from outside the vehicle. |
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Refrigeration performance |
Assesses whether the refrigeration unit can achieve and maintain specified operating temperatures. |
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Vehicle body construction |
Evaluates the overall thermal efficiency of the insulated body and doors. |
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Equipment performance |
Confirms the refrigeration equipment performs to the required ATP classification. |
These tests help demonstrate that the vehicle is capable of maintaining stable internal temperatures when used correctly within its operational specification.
Not necessarily.
One of the most common misconceptions is that every refrigerated vehicle operating in the UK must be ATP-certified. In reality, the answer depends on how the vehicle is being used and the requirements of the business, customer or transport operation.
For example, ATP certification is commonly associated with the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs between countries that are parties to the ATP Agreement. However, some organisations also specify ATP-certified vehicles for domestic transport as part of their own quality assurance procedures or contractual requirements.
Food businesses may also operate under food hygiene legislation and industry assurance schemes that focus on maintaining appropriate product temperatures during transport. These requirements are separate from ATP certification, although the two are often considered together when specifying refrigerated vehicles.
For fleet managers, the most important step is understanding the requirements that apply to their particular operation before selecting a refrigerated vehicle.
The ATP Agreement classifies refrigerated equipment according to the lowest internal temperature the refrigeration unit is capable of maintaining under defined test conditions. For mechanically refrigerated equipment (identified by the letter F), the three most commonly referenced classes are:
|
ATP Class |
Minimum Temperature Capability |
Typical Application |
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Class FNA |
0°C to +12°C |
Chilled goods requiring temperatures above freezing. |
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Class FNB |
-10°C or below |
Products requiring lower chilled or lightly frozen conditions. |
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Class FNC |
-20°C or below |
Frozen food and other products requiring deep- frozen transportation. |
These classifications describe the performance capability of the refrigerated equipment, not the temperature that must always be used during transport. The operating temperature for any journey should always be determined by the products being transported and any applicable legal, contractual or manufacturer requirements.
For many food distribution operations, Class FRC equipment (mechanically refrigerated equipment capable of maintaining -20°C or below) is the most commonly specified standard because it provides the flexibility to transport both frozen and chilled products where operationally appropriate.
For organisations operating within temperature-controlled supply chains, vehicle performance directly affects product quality, operational reliability and customer confidence.
ATP-certified vehicles can help businesses demonstrate that refrigerated equipment has been independently tested against recognised thermal performance standards. This can be particularly valuable where customers, supply chain partners or contractual agreements specify ATP-certified equipment.
Benefits may include:
While ATP certification is only one aspect of cold chain management, it forms an important part of many organisations' overall quality and compliance strategy.
ATP certification and food safety legislation are closely related, but they are not the same thing.
ATP focuses on the performance of the refrigerated vehicle and its equipment.
Food hygiene legislation focuses on how food is transported, handled and protected throughout the supply chain.
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ATP Certification |
Food Safety Requirements |
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Assesses vehicle insulation and refrigeration performance. |
Focus on maintaining safe food temperatures and preventing contamination. |
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Applies to refrigerated transport equipment. |
Applies to food businesses and food handling practices. |
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Demonstrates thermal performance of the vehicle. |
Demonstrates safe operational procedures throughout transport. |
Many food distribution businesses consider both together when designing their cold chain operations.
Hiring refrigerated vehicles allows businesses to access modern temperature-controlled vehicles that are aligned with their operational requirements without the long-term commitment of ownership.
Whether supporting seasonal demand, expanding fleet capacity or replacing vehicles undergoing maintenance, hire provides flexibility while helping organisations maintain access to professionally maintained refrigerated vehicles.
Where ATP-certified vehicles are required, discussing these requirements during the vehicle specification process helps ensure the most appropriate solution is selected for the intended operation.