What are the standards, requirements, and logistics solutions for frozen product transportation?

The transportation of frozen products is a key link in the cold chain. It addresses critical sanitary, economic, and logistical challenges—especially in the agri-food, retail, and healthcare sectors. A single temperature deviation can degrade product quality or render it unfit for consumption.

So how can we ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient transport of frozen goods? What standards must be met, what equipment is required, and what are the best-suited logistics solutions? Here’s what you need to know.

1. What are the technical requirements for frozen transport?

How are frozen products transported?

Frozen product transport is governed by strict requirements to preserve the microbiological, nutritional, and organoleptic integrity of goods. The goal: maintain a consistent temperature and avoid any break in the cold chain.

To ensure compliance, it’s essential to:

• Pre-cool vehicles or containers before loading,
• Minimize loading and unloading times,
• Continuously monitor temperature using sensors or data loggers,
• Train staff in proper handling and cold chain best practices.

Two main technologies are used to maintain cold temperatures:

• Mechanical cooling, via refrigeration units (refrigerated trucks),
• Passive cooling, using cold accumulators with high-performance insulated containers.

The choice of technology depends on:

• The type of goods being transported,
• The length of the journey,
• Access constraints at the delivery site,
• Delivery frequency,
• Applicable regulatory requirements.

Poor control of these factors can lead to product loss, reduced perceived quality, or even endanger the consumer.

2. What standards and regulations must be followed?

Frozen transport regulations in France: ATP standard for frozen transport

The ATP Agreement (Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs)

ATP is an international agreement governing the road transport of perishable goods between signatory countries. It requires :

• The use of certified equipment (vehicles or containers),
• Periodic technical inspections (every 6 years for insulated equipment),
• Strict adherence to temperature requirements based on the type of goods.

A vehicle or container that complies with ATP displays a specific marking on the body, indicating the type of insulation and refrigeration category.

The French legal framework

In France, national laws complement ATP through various texts:

• Article R231-59 of the Rural Code, which mandates cold chain compliance for all perishable goods,
• The decree of December 21, 2009, listing the products subject to ATP,
• Self-inspection and traceability obligations, based on the HACCP methodology.

Responsibility is shared across the entire chain: producers, logistics providers, distributors, as well as foodservice operators and healthcare facilities.

Compliance with standards is not just an obligation—it’s a competitive advantage and a sign of reliability for customers and partners.

3. Finding the right logistics solution: where to start?

How are frozen products transported: insulated containers for frozen logistics

1. Refrigerated trucks: the go-to for bulk transport

Refrigerated vehicles are equipped with mechanical cooling systems that maintain a constant temperature over long distances. They’re ideal for:

• Regular routes between hubs,
• Bulk shipments,
• Inter-regional or international flows.

However, their logistical rigidity (vehicle size, energy consumption, costs) can limit their use for:

• Urban delivery rounds,
• Restricted-access or low-traffic zones,
• Multi-temperature deliveries within the same vehicle.

2. Olivo insulated containers: a flexible and autonomous solution

Olivo insulated containers, used with –21°C cold accumulators or cryogenic cooling, meet both flexibility and performance demands. They allow:

• Target temperature maintenance without an external power source,
• Multi-hour deliveries without cold chain breaks,
• Segmentation of different temperature zones within the same vehicle,
• Easy access to city centers or pedestrian areas.

They are available in various formats: roll containers, bins, boxes—with or without wheels, pallet-mounted, with ergonomic handles… Each solution is tailored to your business needs.

We can advise you

What are the key challenges of frozen transport?

Frozen transport is a strategic part of the value chain. Perfect cold chain management allows companies to:

• Reduce health risks,
• Minimize waste and product loss,
• Build customer trust through transparency,
• Optimize environmental impact (less destruction, fewer returns).

Olivo supports professionals in the agri-food industry, institutional catering, retail, as well as healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, with robust, tailored, and scalable cold chain solutions.

Controlled logistics for uncompromised cold? Yes, it’s possible.

Safely transporting frozen goods depends on three key pillars:

• Strict compliance with regulations,
• Technical performance of the equipment,
• Logistical agility to adapt to on-the-ground constraints.

Whether you use refrigerated trucks or autonomous insulated containers, every link in your cold chain must be optimized and traceable.

With Olivo, you benefit from:

• ATP-certified insulated containers
• Reliable and proven thermal autonomy
• Tailored support for your specific logistics flows
• A trusted partner in sustainable cold chain logistics

Let’s talk about your challenge