How to get ATP certification for a refrigerated truck
ATP certification for a refrigerated truck in Europe requires testing at an approved station to assign a class such as FRC, valid for up to six years.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
To get ATP certification for a refrigerated truck in Europe, book a test at an approved ATP test station in a signatory country. Inspectors measure the vehicle's K-coefficient (thermal insulation performance) and refrigeration output to assign a class such as FRC. The certificate is then valid for up to six years before renewal testing.
What is an ATP certificate and which vehicles need one?
The ATP Agreement (Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs) is a United Nations treaty setting construction and testing standards for refrigerated and insulated equipment, per the consolidated 2023 UNECE ATP Handbook, still in force in 2026 UNECE ATP Handbook . Any vehicle carrying perishable foodstuffs across a signatory border needs a valid certificate stating its class. Domestic-only cold-chain runs do not legally require it, but shippers often request it as the only standardized proof a reefer unit holds its temperature. Carriers can list certified reefer capacity through the Logifie carrier network once testing is complete.
Four classes cover almost every reefer configuration on the road:
| ATP class code | What it means |
|---|---|
| FNA | Normally insulated, mechanically refrigerated equipment, holds 0C to +12C |
| FRC | Heavily insulated, mechanically refrigerated equipment, holds -20C to +12C (the common frozen and chilled multi-temperature class) |
| RRC | Heavily insulated, reinforced mechanical unit built for deep-frozen loads |
| IR | Heavily insulated equipment with no active refrigeration (passive, insulation only) |
How do you book an ATP test and what does the inspection cover?
Testing happens at a national test station approved by the ATP authority in that country: Cemafroid in France Cemafroid , or COCH Krakow in Poland COCH Krakow . The process is similar everywhere: submit the vehicle's specifications and insulation build, book a test slot, then bring the vehicle in, new-build or in service, for inspection. Fleet managers comparing equipment can browse related cold-chain guides on the Logifie blog .
Inspectors run two measurements: the K-coefficient test, which sets normally or heavily insulated status, and the refrigeration test, which checks how low the unit pulls internal temperature under load. Together, these decide the class, FNA, FRC, RRC, or IR. Once testing passes, the station issues a certificate plate fitted to the vehicle.
How long does an ATP certificate last, and how do you renew it?
Certification runs on a fixed schedule: six years for new equipment, then three-year renewal periods under the current UNECE ATP framework UNECE ATP Handbook . Renewal requires re-testing before expiry; a lapsed certificate blocks legal cross-border movement under that vehicle's class until it is retested. Fleet managers running multi-country lanes should track renewal dates alongside roadworthiness and ADR certificates, since an expired plate found at a border check can hold the load. Pairing certified reefer capacity with live temperature and GPS monitoring through Logifie tracking gives shippers proof the cold chain held.
Frequently asked questions
What is FRC certification for a truck?
FRC is the heavily insulated, mechanically refrigerated class capable of holding -20C to +12C. It is the most common class for multi-temperature cold-chain trucks because one vehicle can carry frozen and chilled goods under a single certificate.
Do I need ATP certification for domestic-only cold-chain deliveries?
No, ATP certification is only a legal requirement for cross-border movement of perishable foodstuffs between signatory countries. Shippers still request it for domestic runs, since it is the only standardized proof a reefer unit meets a tested insulation and refrigeration standard.
What is the K-coefficient in ATP testing?
The K-coefficient measures how much heat passes through a vehicle body per square metre per degree of temperature difference between inside and outside. A lower K-coefficient means better insulation, and it decides whether equipment qualifies as normally or heavily insulated.
How much does ATP certification cost?
Cost varies by country, test station, and vehicle type, and is quoted directly by the national approval body rather than published as a fixed rate. Request a quote from an accredited station, such as Cemafroid in France or COCH Krakow in Poland, when budgeting for a new build or renewal.
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