Cold chain road transport is carried out by keeping temperature-sensitive products such as pharmaceuticals and food in a pre-cooled refrigerated vehicle, within a defined range (e.g. +2/+8 °C or below −18 °C), without interruption from loading to delivery, and by recording the temperature. GDP rules apply to pharmaceuticals and the ATP Agreement to perishable foodstuffs.
Which links make up the chain, and where does it break?
The cold chain is not just the vehicle. The manufacturer's warehouse, the loading dock, the vehicle, the border crossing, any transhipment warehouse and the consignee's warehouse are links joined to one another. Breaks mostly occur at transition points: at a dock where the door is left open, during a long customs inspection, or on a ferry or RoRo vessel where a trailer is not connected to power. The transport plan is built around these points.
Temperature ranges by product
| Product group | Typical range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deep-frozen food | −18 °C and below | Lower for products such as ice cream |
| Chilled meat, dairy products | 0 / +4 °C | Varies according to product legislation |
| Cold chain pharmaceuticals, vaccines | +2 / +8 °C | Freezing is also an excursion |
| Controlled room temperature pharmaceuticals | +15 / +25 °C | Cooling needed in summer, heating in winter |
| Fruit and vegetables | Depends on product | Products such as bananas are sensitive to chilling injury |
What counts is the range stated on the product label or in the manufacturer's instructions.
For food, the ATP class shows which temperature the vehicle can maintain. For example, equipment marked FRC is heavily insulated and can lower the internal temperature to −20 °C with mechanical refrigeration. The ATP certificate issued for a new vehicle is valid for a maximum of six years; after that it is renewed by inspection or testing. The certificate and class marking should be checked before loading.
How is the transport carried out step by step?
- Specification: The temperature range, permitted excursion, recording interval and alarm threshold are agreed in writing with the shipper.
- Vehicle selection: For international food transport, an ATP-certified reefer trailer of the appropriate class is used. For pharmaceuticals, the EU GDP Guidelines require the vehicle to be qualified by temperature mapping that also covers seasonal conditions.
- Pre-cooling: The body is brought to the target temperature before loading. The refrigeration unit is designed to maintain the product's temperature, not to cool it down; the product must also be received at the correct temperature.
- Loading: Done quickly from an enclosed dock. Pallets do not touch the ceiling or front wall; space is left for air flow.
- Transit: A data logger and telematics sensor record the temperature; if a threshold is exceeded, an alarm reaches the operations centre. Under GDP, measuring devices are calibrated at least once a year.
- Border and customs: The unit keeps running while waiting; the fuel plan is made accordingly. During an inspection, the time the door is open is recorded.
- Delivery: A printout or digital report of the temperature record is attached to the delivery document.
What happens in case of an excursion, and who is responsible?
Under GDP, if a temperature excursion or product damage occurs during transport, the distributor and consignee are notified. The product is quarantined; the marketing authorisation holder or manufacturer decides whether it is fit for sale after examining the duration and magnitude of the excursion. The carrier is responsible for complying with the conditions in the contract and for presenting a complete record. For pharmaceuticals, if transport is outsourced, GDP requires the distributor to have a written contract with the carrier. The insurance side of excursions is covered in the temperature excursion insurance entry.
Common mistakes
- Loading warm product into the vehicle and waiting for the reefer unit to cool it.
- Placing the sensor only at the unit's air outlet and not measuring the rear of the body.
- Not checking the trailer's power connection on a RoRo or ferry crossing.
- Noticing the excursion record only after delivery; setting off without an alarm and response plan.
In cold chain logistics, Voltim Global works with partners holding GDP certification and includes the temperature specification, vehicle selection and record monitoring in the shipment plan.