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A new version of the ATP Agreement

The new version on the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs and on the special equipment to be used for such carriage became effective from 30 September 2015. The IIR was involved in this process thanks to its Commission D2 Sub-Commission CERTE on Test Stations (Refrigerated Transport).

A new version of the ATP Agreement (Agreement on the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs and on the special equipment to be used for such carriage) became effective from 30 September 2015. The IIR was involved in this process thanks to its Commission D2 Sub-Commission CERTE on Test Stations (Refrigerated Transport).

 

 

The amendments, which mainly pertain to equipment classification and certification, follow their adoption in October 2013 by the Working Party on Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs (WP.11) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Committee (UNECE).

 

 

These changes relate mainly to manufacturers of equipment:

  • Classification of heat and refrigerated equipment. This innovation is aimed particularly at markets in countries such as Russia. The control of the thermal efficiency of these devices and the corresponding identification marks are described and added to the ATP.
  • Extension from 3 to 6 months of the duration of the certification validity of an equipment which is transferred to another country (ATP contracting party). Any certification is treated if necessary as a provisional certificate, valid for six months instead of three months before.
  • Minor and limited modifications of added or exchanged interior and exterior fittings may be permitted.

 

 

Download the new version of the ATP Agreement available in English, French and Russian:

 

 


More about CERTE

 

CERTE systematically organizes a technical meeting every year in order to harmonize the practices of official ATP test stations in charge of ATP laboratories, recognized by the UNECE and the Working Party in charge of the ATP agreement. This Sub-Commission has a representation in WP11 in the name of the IIR and presents IIR recommendations at every session. Also, if required, ATP amendment propositions previously discussed by official tests stations or having obtained a technical consensus, been validated and sent to the UNECE WP11 Secretariat by the Director General of the IIR.

 

 

The next reunion will be in Prague in April 2016. Sign up for IIR alerts and be the first to know when the date is announced.

 

 

The objectives of CERTE are to:

 

  • study and propose methods and procedures for the performance assessment of refrigerated or insulated transport vehicles and to exchange information.
  • increase of recognition of test reports on insulated and refrigerated vehicle performance amongst IIR members in line with the ATP agreement and its requirements.
  • provide advice and recommendations, formulated by the IIR, to the UNECE’s inland transport committee and to Working Party 11 regarding Annex 1 of the ATP agreement.
  • encourage the harmonization of testing and certification procedures and standards.
  • encourage the publication of information through the IIR
  • represent the IIR at events dealing with the ATP agreement, especially the meeting organized by UNECE.

 

 

The Chairperson of CERTE is Eric Devin, Director General of TECNEA CEMAFROID (IIR Corporate Member): eric.devin@cemafroid.fr

 

 

How to become member of an IIR Sub-Commission

 

Members of the Sub-Commission are:

 

  • Managers, Engineers and Technicians of the official test stations equipped with laboratory and testing facilities and recognized by UNECE. A full list can be downloaded here
  • Representatives of research institutions directly involved in the testing or design of vehicles dedicated to the transport of perishable foodstuffs
  • Experts whose knowledge of the subject will benefit the Sub-Commission
  • Invited observers from Transfrigoroute International (TI) which signed an agreement with the IIR.

 

 

Members are expected to be either national experts designated by their country, individuals or representatives of corporate members of the IIR. They can be can be nominated by the Sub-Commission and should be unanimously approved by the President, Vice Presidents of Commission D2, and the President of Section D Storage and Transport of the IIR.

 

 

A history of CERTE

 

CERTE, an IIR Sub-Commission of D2 Commission Refrigerated Transport, was created in Vienna in 2004. Since then, this Sub-Commission named “Sub-Commission D2 CERTE on Test Stations (Refrigerated Transport)” has been recognized as the main representative forum of test stations working towards the implementation of the Agreement on the “International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be Used for such Carriage” (ATP) testing.

 

 

(Agreement on the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs and on the special equipment to be used for such carriage) became effective from 30 September 2015.

 

 

Thanks to CERTE, an IIR Commission D2 Sub-Commission, the IIR was able to contribute to new version of the ATP Agreement on the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs and on the special equipment to be used for such carriage