Complete Guide to Refrigerated Transport: Controlled Temperatures and the Cold Chain

Refrigerated transport is a specialized branch of road logistics that ensures the movement of temperature-sensitive goods in controlled and monitored thermal conditions along the entire route — from the pick-up point to the destination.
The fundamental concept that governs this activity is the cold chain (or cold chain). The cold chain represents the entire set of processes, equipment and procedures that maintain a perishable product at the optimal temperature from production to the final consumer, without any interruption.
If the cold chain is interrupted — even for a few hours — the consequences can be serious: contaminated food products, ineffective or dangerous medicines, significant financial losses for the sender and the beneficiary.

WHY COLD CHAIN CONTINUITY IS CRITICAL

Studies by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) estimate that approximately 10% of foodborne illnesses in Europe are caused by cold chain breaks in transport or storage.

In the pharmaceutical industry, incorrect temperature can reduce the effectiveness of a vaccine by up to 100% — without any visible change in the product.

The European industry has standardized refrigerated transport into 4 main temperature classes, each with specific applications:

ATP (Accord relatif aux Transports internationaux de denrees Perishables et aux engins speciaux a utiliser pour ces transports) is the international agreement that regulates transport equipment for perishable goods at European level.
Any vehicle used for refrigerated transport in Europe must have a valid ATP certificate, issued after testing the refrigeration equipment by an accredited laboratory.

What does the ATP certificate specify

• The temperature class that the vehicle can maintain (A, B, C, D, E, F)
• The thermal insulation capacity of the bodywork (K coefficient)
• The performance of the refrigeration unit (cooling power)
• The validity period (6 years from manufacture, renewed every 3 years)

When requesting refrigerated transport, you have the right to request a copy of the vehicle's ATP certificate. A reputable carrier will provide this documentation without hesitation.

The transport of medicines, vaccines and other pharmaceutical products is governed by EU GDP (Good Distribution Practice) regulations, set out in EU GDP Guide 2013/C 343/01.
GDP is not just any ordinary refrigerated transport — it is a quality management system applied to the entire pharmaceutical supply chain.

What GDP compliance in transport entails

• Qualified vehicles: equipment must be validated and documented, not just ATP certified
• Continuous temperature recording: data logger with recording every 5-10 minutes throughout the transport
• Temperature mapping: verification of uniform temperature distribution in the loading space
• Documented procedures: SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for loading, transport, delivery, temperature deviations
• Trained personnel: drivers must be specifically trained in GDP and know how to react to a temperature deviation
• Emergency plan: clear procedures in case of refrigeration unit failure or accident

IMPORTANT FOR PHARMACEUTICAL SHIPPERS

The EU GDP Regulation is mandatory for the transport of prescription medicines, vaccines and biological substances. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the withdrawal of the distribution authorization and criminal liability in the event of a health incident.

Refrigerated semi-trailers
The standard refrigerated semi-trailer has a usable length of 13.6 meters and can transport up to 24 tons of refrigerated cargo. The refrigeration unit is mounted in front of the body and operates independently of the tractor engine — which means that the temperature is maintained even when stationary (in parking lots, at delivery ramps).
Isothermal and refrigerated trucks 3.5t – 7.5t
For urban deliveries or smaller quantities, small-tonnage vehicles with isothermal bodies or more compact refrigerated units are used. These are ideal for local or regional distribution of perishable food.
IoT sensors and real-time monitoring
Modern refrigerated vehicles are equipped with internet-connected (IoT) temperature sensors, which transmit real-time data to a centralized platform. This allows:

• Permanent monitoring from the office or mobile phone
• Automatic alerts if the temperature deviates from the established setpoint
• Full downloadable temperature report after each run
• Data archive for compliance (GDP, audit, complaints)

The range of products requiring controlled temperature conditions is much wider than is commonly believed:

Perishable food products

• Meat and meat preparations — refrigerated transport at 0/+4°C or frozen at -18°C
• Dairy products — milk, cheese, yogurt (+2/+6°C)
• Fresh fruits and vegetables — depending on the product, +2/+8°C
• Fish and seafood — refrigerated or deep frozen
• Bakery and pastry products — +4/+8°C for those with cream

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products

• Vaccines and serums — +2/+8°C strictly, GDP mandatory
• Heat-sensitive drugs — insulins, biologicals, cytotoxics
• Cosmetic products with thermosensitive active ingredients — creams, serums, natural products

Other products

• Flowers and ornamental plants — +2/+8°C for preservation
• Thermosensitive chemical substances — some adhesives, paints, reagents
• Biological products for agriculture — seeds, bacterial cultures

If you are shipping refrigerated cargo for the first time or with a new carrier, here is the minimum list of information you should request and provide:

CHECKLIST SHIPPER — REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT

✓ Vehicle ATP certificate (class and expiration date)

✓ Setpoint temperature confirmed in writing before departure

✓ Type of temperature sensors used (data logger or IoT)

✓ Carrier’s policy in case of temperature deviation

✓ Availability of post-delivery temperature report

✓ Cargo insurance — does it include coverage for thermal deviation damage?

✓ For GDP: confirmation that the vehicle and procedures comply with EU GDP