Maintaining the cold chain in transport involves four steps: keep the target temperature with an ATP-compliant refrigerated vehicle, measure temperature continuously with EN 12830-certified sensors, trigger an alert at the first deviation from the set threshold, and archive the data as valid evidence for the legal retention period. Fleeti automates the last three: continuous collection by multi-zone sensors, configurable SMS, email and push alerts, and time-stamped archiving with audit-ready PDF exports. Your drivers have nothing to enter manually, your quality managers can access the full history at any time, and your customers receive an automatic report with every delivery.

Temperature-controlled transport is governed by four main texts. Regulation (EC) 852/2004 sets the general hygiene principles for foodstuffs. Regulation (EC) 853/2004 adds specific rules for food of animal origin. Regulation (EC) 37/2005 requires temperature-measuring devices in vehicles carrying frozen food. In France, the decree of 21 December 2009 and decree no. 2007-1791 set out the technical and health conditions for transporting perishable foodstuffs. Internationally, the ATP agreement defines categories of transport equipment and maximum permitted temperatures by product. Breaches can lead to administrative penalties, fines of up to €36,500, and closure of the business by the DGCCRF or veterinary services.

The European standard EN 12830 sets the technical requirements for temperature recorders used in the transport, warehousing and storage of frozen and quick-frozen foods. It specifies expected sensor accuracy (typically ±0.5 °C within the working range), minimum recording frequency, tamper resistance of recorded data and periodic calibration procedures. Its most recent revision dates from 2018. It is mandatory for any device used under Regulation (EC) 37/2005, meaning the frozen food chain. For other chilled products, it remains the reference standard used by HACCP auditors and demanding clients. Fleeti's connected temperature sensors meet EN 12830 requirements.

To stand up as evidence, records must have three characteristics: they must be continuous (automatic recording at short intervals, with no gaps), time-stamped (each reading dated and linked to a specific zone) and tamper-proof (impossible to alter afterwards, archived under a documented policy). Fleeti meets all three by default. In a few clicks, you generate a PDF report by delivery, round, cold room or period. The report includes the full curve, set thresholds, any threshold breaches and the sensor's digital signature. You can present it to a Bureau Veritas, SGS or AFNOR auditor, a customer disputing a delivery, or DGCCRF inspectors.

Reference temperatures vary by product category. Frozen food must be kept at -18 °C or below (Regulation (EC) 37/2005). Fresh fish requires 0 to +2 °C. Minced meat and offal: +2 °C maximum. Most fresh dairy products, eggs, ready meals and common vaccines: +2 to +8 °C. Some mRNA vaccines require -20 °C (Moderna type) or -70 °C (Pfizer/BioNTech type). An excursion of +2 °C above the threshold for more than 30 minutes constitutes a cold chain break for chilled products. Fleeti lets you set a separate threshold and tolerance period for each product type, within the same vehicle if it has multiple zones.

In France, breaching the rules on transporting and storing perishable food can lead to a fine of up to €36,500 per offence under the Consumer Code and Rural Code. Depending on severity, the operator may also face administrative closure by veterinary services (DDPP), seizure and destruction of non-compliant goods, and a criminal record for the company in the most serious cases. On the civil side, a cold chain break always leads to the client rejecting the batch, downgrading of the goods and potential contractual liability for the carrier or distributor. The total economic cost almost always exceeds the fine itself.

Yes, dedicated temperature sensors are needed, because standard telematics devices do not measure compartment or cold room temperatures. Fleeti installs wired or wireless sensors depending on your setup: wired sensors connected to the vehicle's telematics device for equipped fleets, standalone Bluetooth or LoRa sensors for cold rooms and warehouses, and specific multi-zone probes for multi-compartment vehicles. Fleeti also connects to the main refrigeration units on the market (Carrier, Thermo King) to retrieve unit status, applied set-points and technical faults, with no extra sensor. You control temperature set-points remotely, detect door openings during deliveries, and alerts switch off automatically after delivery. Installation takes half a day per vehicle on average, with no change to the refrigeration circuit.