The ATP Convention in practice – a guide for carriers

Transporting food is not just a matter of logistics – it also involves responsibility for people’s health, product quality and the company’s reputation. When goods cross borders, additional requirements must be met. One of the key regulations governing the transport of perishable products is the ATP Convention, an international agreement specifying how food requiring controlled temperatures should be transported.

In this article, we explain in simple terms when the ATP applies, which products and means of transport are subject to it, who needs a certificate and what risks are involved in failing to comply with its requirements. In short, everything a carrier needs to know to transport food safely and legally across borders.

What is the ATP Convention?

The ATP Convention, or Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Means of Transport Designed for Such Carriage, is an international document regulating the transport of foodstuffs requiring constant temperature control between signatory countries. It was signed in 1970 in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations and entered into force in 1976. Poland has been a party to it since 1984.

The purpose of the ATP is to ensure that food transported between countries reaches the recipient fresh, safe and without risk of deterioration due to improper transport.

The agreement specifies, among other things:

• permissible temperatures for the transport of specific groups of goods,
• requirements for the construction and equipment ofmeans of transport used,
• procedures for assessing compliance with insulation standards,
• methods of testing and checking the operation of refrigeration and heating equipment.

The Convention therefore includes both guidelines specifying the temperature conditions under which specific products may be transported and guidelines indicating which means of transport may be used for this purpose. It describes in detail the classification of vehicles, the criteria for admission to transport, as well as measurement and control procedures that help to maintain uniform standards in international refrigerated transport.

Importantly, the ATP Convention is constantly updated – changes are developed by a special working group operating within the UN, which takes into account technological developments and new challenges facing the industry.

For transport companies, ATP is not just a technical document – it is also a guarantee of compliance with international requirements and often a prerequisite for cooperation with large manufacturers and retail chains, including domestic ones, as you will read in the next section of the article.

When does the ATP agreement apply?

The ATP agreement applies to the paid international transport of foodstuffs that are easily affected by improper temperature. Specifically, the application of the ATP regulations is mandatory if the place of loading and the place of unloading are in two different countries and the country of unloading is a party to the Convention. Such transport may be carried out on own account or on behalf of third parties.

The types of transport covered by the agreement are:

• road transport,
• rail transport,
• combined transport – when carried out by both of these modes of transport,
• short sea shipping, provided that it is less than 150 km, if the goods are delivered without transhipment by means of transport used for inland transport (rail and/or road) or if the sea transport is carried out between two such inland transport operations.

Although the ATP Convention applies to international transport of foodstuffs, in some situations it is also applied domestically – not because of a legal obligation, but due to customer requirements, e.g. large retail chains. For them, the ATP certificate is sometimes a confirmation of the quality of transport services, even if the route ends and begins within the same country.

Cases where the ATP Convention does not apply

Not all food transport is subject to ATP regulations. Although the rules of this agreement are widely applied, there are situations where they are not required. When exactly?

• Domestic transport – if the transport takes place exclusively within one country, the ATP regulations do not formally apply.
• Maritime transport – the ATP does not apply to maritime transport (even in the case of the aforementioned distance of less than 150 km, if it is not part of a longer chain involving land transport).
• Products not covered by the agreement – some goods, even though they are foodstuffs, are not subject to ATP. This applies, for example, to live fish and molluscs and fully processed products (e.g. smoked, salted, dried or sterilised) that do not require temperature control.
• Non-food temperature-sensitive goods – although medicines, flowers and cosmetics also require stable conditions, they are not covered by the ATP because they are not foodstuffs listed in the annexes to the agreement.

It is always a good idea to check carefully whether a given product actually requires compliance with the ATP Convention. This will help you avoid unnecessary irregularities during transport.

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Which products are covered by the ATP Convention?

The ATP Convention specifies precisely which foodstuffs are subject to its provisions and must be transported under appropriately controlled conditions. These are heat-sensitive products, i.e. those that spoil easily, lose their quality or pose a health risk if they are not kept at the right temperature during transport.

This group includes, among others:

• meat and meat products – e.g. fresh, minced, red meat, poultry, game, cold cuts,
• fish and fish products – e.g. frozen and fresh fish, molluscs, crustaceans,
• milk and dairy products – e.g. kefir, cream, yoghurt, cheese, butter,
• frozen products – e.g. ice cream, frozen vegetables and fruit, ready-to-eat semi-finished products,
• fruit and vegetables.

Each of these products has a maximum transport temperature that must be strictly adhered to. The list of products is clearly defined in the annexes to the Convention.

What ATP requirements must means of transport meet?

The ATP Convention introduces clear guidelines for special means of transport intended for the carriage of temperature-sensitive products. Both the design of the vehicle and its equipment play a key role here, as they determine the maintenance of appropriate transport conditions in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.

The technical requirements focus mainly on:

• Thermal insulation – the bodywork must be adequately insulated from external conditions to maintain a constant temperature inside. A specific wall thickness and low K-value, i.e. heat transfer coefficient, are required, especially in vehicles wider than 2.5 metres, in order to meet the insulation standards specified in the ATP regulations.
• Cooling or heating equipment – in such means of transport, cooling and heating equipment should ensure stable temperature conditions, regardless of external conditions and the length of the route.
• Control systems – temperature recorders and alarms are required to indicate when the permissible temperature limits are exceeded.

The ATP Convention covers the following vehicles used for the transport of perishable goods:

• Isothermal – equipped with insulation but without active cooling.
• Refrigerated – e.g. with a mechanical compressor unit and the ability to maintain a specific temperature range.
• Iceboxes – with a passive source of cold, such as ice or dry ice.
• Heated means of transport – ensuring positive temperatures, even at very low ambient temperatures. A key piece of equipment in such a vehicle is a heating device, which allows the required temperature conditions to be maintained inside the cargo space.
• Vehicles with a combined system – capable of both cooling and heating the cargo compartment. This type of transport is equipped with both a heating device and a cooling system, allowing it to maintain the required temperature conditions regardless of the season or type of goods being transported.

All of them must meet specific standards for special means of transport, contained in the annexes to the ATP Convention.

Identification marks are also required to clearly identify the class of the vehicle and its ability to maintain the correct thermal conditions.

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Responsibilities of drivers and transport personnel

Compliance with ATP requirements also involves the daily activities of the people responsible for transport. Drivers and persons in contact with the cargo must follow specific rules that affect the safety and quality of the food being transported.

Their responsibilities are as follows:

• Preparing the vehicle before loading – the cargo area must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by staff to avoid contamination of the products. The driver is then required to maintain the correct temperature conditions during transport, which involves, among other things, constantly monitoring the operation of the equipment.
• Checking the temperature – before setting off, it is necessary to ensure that the conditions in the cargo area are appropriate and that the cooling or heating system is working properly.
• Operation of the temperature recorder – the data from its measurements must be stored and presented in the event of an inspection. Depending on the length of the route, measurements should be taken every 5, 15 or 60 minutes.
• Staff hygiene – every employee who comes into contact with the cargo must have valid sanitary and epidemiological certificates.

It is these daily activities – although often overlooked – that ultimately determine whether transport meets the established standards and the product reaches the recipient in the expected condition.

ATP certificate – who needs it and how to obtain it?

In the international transport of perishable foodstuffs, an ATP certificate is mandatory. It confirms that the means of transport meets the requirements of the convention, both in terms of construction and temperature.

Without a valid certificate, a vehicle cannot participate in international transport carried out in accordance with the ATP Convention.

Consequences of non-compliance with the ATP Convention

Failure to comply with the provisions of the ATP Convention has serious consequences, ranging from financial penalties to the loss of the right to carry out international transport.

If a vehicle does not ensure the right conditions for keeping food quality – like the cooling unit isn’t working, the insulation is faulty, or the temperature recorder isn’t working properly – the consequences can be the cargo being rejected, destroyed, or the vehicle being stopped. These violations sometimes lead to losing the ATP certificate and being banned from entering certain countries.

In addition to formal and financial losses, there is also damage to reputation – customer dissatisfaction, delays and complaints can significantly weaken a company’s position in the market.

Summary

The ATP Convention is much more than just a set of formal rules – it is a practical tool that helps companies transporting perishable food to operate efficiently on the international market. Its main purpose is to protect the quality of goods during transport and to ensure that transport conditions meet clearly defined standards.

It is the basic responsibility of every carrier to ensure that they know which products are subject to the ATP – e.g. deep-frozen foodstuffs – and what transport standards must be met. Proper implementation of the rules set out in the agreement not only translates into food safety, but also into the credibility and reputation of the company, increasing its competitiveness and opening the way to cooperation with the most demanding trading partners.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What does the abbreviation ATP stand for?

ATP is an abbreviation of the French name Accord relatif aux transports internationaux de denrées périssables et aux engins spéciaux à utiliser pour ces transports, which means Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be Used for Such Carriage. The convention specifies the conditions for the transport of such products and the necessary transport equipment for vehicles carrying such cargo.

Is an ATP certificate mandatory?

Yes, for international transport of goods covered by the ATP Convention, a certificate is required. It is checked during inspections to ensure that the conditions of transport comply with the technical requirements laid down in the agreement. In domestic transport, it may be voluntary, although it is often required by customers.

When does the ATP agreement not apply?

It does not apply to the transport of products that are not perishable fresh or frozen foodstuffs. Its provisions also do not apply (although its rules may be applied voluntarily) in domestic transport and international maritime transport, except for maritime transport over a distance of less than 150 km, where the goods are delivered without transhipment by means of transport used for land transport or where the maritime transport is carried out between two such land transports.