What are ATP and FRC Documents? The Key to Trust in Cold Chain Transportation – Kardan Frigo Difference

In cold chain logistics, the quality of your product depends not only on the refrigeration unit, but also on the vehicle's compliance with international standards. A single degree deviation can cause thousands of dollars in losses or create health risks. So, how do you prove your vehicle is truly reliable? The answer is: ATP and FRC documents.

In this article, we will explain the ATP Agreement and its most common class, FRC, in detail, and share how Kardan Frigo's fleet gains an advantage with these documents.

What is an ATP Agreement?

ATP (Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be Used for such Carriage), an international convention signed in Geneva in 1970 under the auspices of the United Nations (UNECE). Today, more than 50 countries (including Turkey) are parties to it.

Objective: To ensure that perishable foods (sensitive products such as frozen meat, dairy products, ice cream, chocolate, fresh fruits and vegetables, medications) do not spoil during transportation. The agreement standardizes the quality of insulation, cooling/heating capacity, and temperature retention performance of refrigerated vehicles by testing them.

Approved in Turkey in 2012, in 2022 Regulation on Special Equipment to Be Used in the Transportation of Perishable Foodstuffs It was integrated into national transport. It is mandatory for international shipments; domestically, ATP-compliant standards (with the BTB certificate transition period) are valid. Penalties for lacking the document will begin on January 1, 2025 – there is a risk of vehicle impoundment, fines, and cargo transfer.

During inspections (roadside, customs), problems arise if the ATP Compliance Certificate + FRC plate are not shown.

10 Questions About ATP – Logistics, Heavy Vehicles, Trailers

This photo shows a typical refrigerated truck ATP FRC plate Shows: Blue and white plate, FRC class, with expiration date and approval number. Usually located on the rear or side door of vehicles.

What is an FRC Certificate?

There are over 30 classes under ATP, but the most common and comprehensive in the industry FRC:

• FMechanically refrigerated (active cooling with a refrigeration unit – Thermo King, Carrier, etc.)
• RHighly insulated (heat loss coefficient K ≤ 0.40 W/m²K – best insulation, energy efficient)
• CCooling capacity up to -20°C (maintaining constant at +12°C to -20°C)

FRC certified vehicle:

• It transports a wide range of products, from frozen food (-18/-20°C) to fresh milk (+4/+6°C), and from chocolate to medicine.
• Approved by pull-down test (cooling rate) and insulation test.
• New vehicles are generally valid for 6 years; this can be extended up to 15 years with periodic inspections.

Other classes (FNA: up to 0°C, IR: insulated only) are more limited. FRC is preferred because it covers almost all cold chain needs.

Why is Cold Chain Transportation Risky Without an ATP/FRC Certificate?

• Legal requirement: Vehicles cannot be used in international transport without documentation.
• Product safety: Temperature deviation → spoilage, return, compensation.
• Customer demand: Chain supermarkets, e-commerce (Getir, Trendyol Go), HORECA, and pharmaceutical companies require vehicles with FRC/ATP certification.
• Audit ease: If the roadside document + temperature record is shown, there will be no problem.

How is ATP/FRC applied at Kardan Frigo?

This is where the Kardan Frigo difference begins:

• our entire fleet of 100+ vehicles In the FRC class certified (tested at TSE authorized centers).
• The refrigeration units are original ATP/FRC compliant.
• Even on our 10-pallet vehicles with lifts, FRC standards are maintained – even if capacity increases in narrow streets, quality does not decrease.
• 7/24 real-time reporting with GPS + temperature recording (instant sharing with the customer).
• Full compliance with HACCP integration + periodic renewal tracking.

Real example: For a chain coffee brand, thanks to FRC, the temperature remained within the range of -18°C ±0.3°C in frozen dough and dairy product distribution within Istanbul. We received the approval “Documents complete, reports excellent” during the inspection.

This sample plate (FRC class, with expiry date) is very close to the similar plates on our vehicles – it indicates international validity.

Conclusion: FRC Required for Reliable Cold Chain

In 2026, cold chain competition is won with documentation and quality. As Kardan Frigo, we are your most reliable partner based in Istanbul with our ATP/FRC certified fleet – in micro-distribution, domestic, and international shipping.

Would you like to see FRC certificate details or get a quote? 📞 0532 689 67 76 🌐 www.kardanfrigo.com/atp-frc-certified-transportation Let's send FRC examples + custom solutions in 30 minutes!

#ATP Certificate #FRC Certificate # Cold Chain # Refrigerated Transportation # Kardan Frigo #istanbulfrigotasimacilik