Understand ATP regulations for refrigerated transport, equipment classifications, certification and markings, with advice for UK haulage operators.
Written by Tristan Bacon — Reviewed by Billy Gardner — Published 2 October 2026
International refrigerated work involves more than setting a temperature and keeping the doors closed. For certain food movements, the vehicle or trailer also needs ATP approval.
ATP is an important part of any cold chain logistics operation, and sets standards for the equipment used to carry covered perishable food internationally. It also specifies transport temperatures and how operators demonstrate that their equipment meets those standards.
Understanding where it applies helps hauliers choose suitable equipment and helps transport buyers check refrigerated subcontractors before assigning a load.
This guide explains the scope of ATP, certification, equipment markings and the practical checks to make before accepting international food transport work.
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ATP is the Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be Used for such Carriage.
In plain English, it provides common standards for transporting certain perishable foods internationally. Those standards cover insulation, cooling and heating performance, equipment testing, certification and carriage temperatures.
The agreement sits under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It is an international treaty rather than an EU scheme, so Brexit did not remove the UK’s ATP obligations.
UNECE publishes the ATP Agreement and its current status. Its latest version is valid from 25 August 2026.
For an operator, the starting questions are straightforward: does ATP cover this journey and food, and is the equipment approved for the work?
ATP regulations cover specified international food movements by road, rail or a combination of the two. It applies to carriage for hire or reward and to businesses transporting their own goods.
Under Article 3, the loading and unloading points must be in different countries, with the unloading point in an ATP contracting country. The loading country does not itself have to participate.
Sea crossings need particular attention. ATP includes crossings of less than 150km where the goods remain in the equipment used for the land journey. For other sea crossings, the land journeys are considered separately.
That makes the actual route important. A ferry booking alone does not establish whether the movement falls within ATP.
Before quoting, confirm:
ATP also sits alongside other international haulage requirements. Operator licensing, customs procedures and food import controls need separate consideration.
The UK and many common European destinations participate, including France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Italy.
The agreement also extends beyond Europe. Avoid treating ATP as a requirement confined to UK–EU work.
Use the official country information when planning an unfamiliar route. GOV.UK explains where ATP approval is required, while UNECE provides the treaty’s status information.
Countries can also have domestic requirements reflecting ATP standards. Check local rules if an overseas contract includes deliveries within one country.
ATP regulations cover frozen and deep-frozen food, alongside specified chilled food categories.
The UK government’s ATP guidance lists:
Product descriptions matter. “Food pallets” is not enough detail to decide which requirements apply.
Ask the customer to identify the product, its condition and its transport specification. For mixed loads, establish the requirements for every category before agreeing how they will travel together.
Unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables fall outside ATP. Processing can change the position, as the prepared vegetable categories above show.
ATP concerns perishable food transport, so it is not a pharmaceutical transport approval.
A product falling outside ATP may still need refrigeration, careful handling and temperature records. Establish those requirements from the applicable food safety rules and the customer’s specification.
ATP specifies maximum temperatures for covered food categories. There is no single ATP temperature that suits every refrigerated load.
The frozen-food requirements illustrate the differences:
These are category limits from Annex 2, rather than refrigeration-unit setpoints. Refer to the ATP text and handbook for the full conditions, temperature-checking procedures and provisions concerning brief temperature rises.
Chilled products have separate requirements in Annex 3. Do not apply a general chilled range to every meat, dairy or prepared-food load.
Other applicable rules or the customer’s specification may require a lower temperature. Confirm the operating range before collection.
Build the transport plan around maintaining the product temperature throughout the journey. Consider loading conditions, airflow, door openings, delivery stops and possible delays.
Record the agreed temperature instructions in the booking. Resolve conflicting instructions before loading.
ATP approval relates to the transport equipment. For refrigerated road work, that means considering the insulated body and its refrigeration equipment together.
The agreement distinguishes insulated, refrigerated, mechanically refrigerated and heated equipment, as well as equipment combining mechanical refrigeration and heating.
An insulated body limits heat transfer. Mechanical refrigeration actively cools the load space. The equipment’s classification indicates the standards it has met.
Two codes operators frequently encounter are:
Cambridge Refrigeration Technology’s guide explains these classifications and the testing behind them.
These ranges describe equipment capability under prescribed test conditions. They do not establish the correct temperature for a particular food.
Check the classification against the load specification. If a trailer has multiple temperature compartments, check the approval and capability of the proposed configuration too.
An ATP certificate provides evidence that identified transport equipment meets the requirements for its approved classification.
It is equipment-specific. A certificate for one trailer cannot establish the approval of another trailer supplied for the booking.
When arranging transport, match the certificate details to the actual equipment. Check its classification and expiry date, and investigate any mismatch before dispatch.
For applicable international journeys, the operator must either carry the certificate in the vehicle or permanently display an approved certification plate. The plate must be clearly visible.
Cambridge Refrigeration Technology explains the certificate and plate arrangements. A general company document or refrigeration service record does not replace the required evidence.
The normal initial certificate lasts six years. Equipment then needs retesting every three years to retain approval.
Certificate renewal requires a successful in-service test.
Add expiry dates to the fleet’s compliance schedule and arrange testing before approval runs out. When planning a longer contract, check whether renewal falls during the period of work.
Certification and routine maintenance serve different purposes. Keep refrigeration servicing and body-condition checks in the maintenance plan between ATP examinations.
Cambridge Refrigeration Technology’s Refrigerated Vehicle Test Centre handles ATP certification under the UK system.
The route depends on whether the equipment already has approval, is covered by type approval or needs individual testing.
When buying a refrigerated vehicle or trailer, ask for its ATP certificate and check that it matches the equipment.
Confirm the classification suits your intended work. Include the expiry date when assessing the purchase and planning its first international jobs.
Contact Cambridge Refrigeration Technology if approval is missing or the certificate does not match.
Equipment without an ATP certificate or relevant type approval needs testing. Seek advice before buying or converting a vehicle on the assumption that it will qualify.
Use the official UK approval guidance for current application arrangements, test locations and fees.
Plan the appointment around vehicle availability and customer commitments. Allow time to address any problems identified during examination.
After approval, check the equipment details, classification and expiry information. Arrange the certificate or plate and the required external markings before undertaking applicable work.
Keep an accessible copy in the fleet’s records so the transport team can answer customer checks promptly.
Approved equipment must display its classification and approval expiry date externally.
The markings belong at the top-front corners on both sides of the vehicle or trailer. GOV.UK directs operators to Annex 1, Appendix 4 for the classification codes.
Check that the markings remain legible and agree with the approval documentation. Include them in inspections after body repairs or changes to vehicle graphics.
External markings and a certification plate are separate requirements. Displaying a classification code alone does not replace the certificate or approved plate needed for an applicable journey.
ATP approval is not a legislative requirement for food transport taking place entirely within the UK.
Cambridge Refrigeration Technology confirms this domestic distinction. Customers may still specify ATP-approved equipment as part of a contract.
Domestic food transport remains subject to food safety and hygiene requirements. Vehicles must protect food from contamination and maintain suitable temperatures where required.
The Food Standards Agency’s transport guidance covers cleanliness, vehicle condition, temperature control and separation of goods.
For practical guidance on the wider operation, see our article on managing cold chain logistics.
Finding available refrigerated capacity is only the first step. Before assigning international food work, check the proposed carrier and equipment against the actual booking.
Our guide to finding haulage carriers explains how to source capacity. For refrigerated work, add these specialist checks.
Establish whether ATP applies, then obtain the relevant approval evidence.
Match it to the vehicle or trailer being supplied. Check classification, expiry and any compartment requirements. Ask the carrier to notify you before substituting equipment.
Put the product temperature, collection conditions and delivery instructions in writing.
Confirm how temperatures will be monitored and what records the customer needs. Agree how the carrier will report a deviation, refrigeration failure or delay.
Make the escalation contact clear to both the dispatcher and driver.
Ask about experience with the food category, route and delivery arrangements.
Check insurance suitability, including relevant exclusions or conditions concerning deterioration and refrigeration failure. Resolve uncertainties before accepting the carrier’s quote.
ATP certification provides evidence about equipment standards. It does not establish the carrier’s experience, insurance cover or ability to follow your customer’s instructions.
Retain the approval evidence, agreed specification, carrier details and instructions together.
For repeat work, refresh the checks when equipment changes or approval expires. Strong subcontractor relationships help businesses grow their freight forwarding company, but each booking still needs suitable capacity.
Specialist transport works best when load requirements and equipment capability are clear from the outset.
For hauliers, keeping approval details and operating specifications ready makes it easier to assess suitable enquiries. It also helps when managing spare fleet capacity.
For transport buyers, a clear brief helps prospective subcontractors decide whether they can carry the load.
Haulage Exchange connects transport businesses looking for work with businesses sourcing haulage capacity. When arranging refrigerated food transport, confirm ATP approval where required and agree the temperature-control arrangements with the chosen carrier.
That preparation helps both parties accept the work with a clear understanding of the equipment, documentation and delivery requirements.
