Monitoring the entire cold chain is essential to maintain perishable food products in appropriate conditions. Temperatures should be recorded continuously to minimize and eliminate health risks to consumers. This is a quick update on the recording and operation equipment of temperature measurements.
The key EN 12830 standard applicable to temperature recorders of food products
The transport, storage and distribution of thermo-sensitive goods are subject to the EN12830 standard. It defines the methods of testing, performance and suitability for use of the temperature data loggers. The EN 12830 standard specifies the technical and functional characteristics of temperature dataloggers when they are intended for the transport, storage and distribution of goods sensitive to temperatures between −80°C and +85°C.
More specifically, the entire temperature recording system is concerned by this standard. In fact, it considers that the temperature sensor can be integrated into the recorder or be remote, using an external probe. Moreover, its positioning differs depending on whether it is used in transport, storage or distribution mode.
Applicable since September 1999, a new version has been released in August 2018 and widens its scope to the health products.
European regulation EU 37/2005 imposes the use of recorders compliant with the EN 12 830 standard for frozen products.
Concerning the exploitation of the measurements, the standard specifies the verification levels of the temperature data monitoring software. Thus, public or private cloud (SaaS) solutions must meet security requirements, different from those imposed on solutions installed on a local server: the data integrity concept has been entered in the standard.
EN 13485 standard applicable to thermometers
Released in January 2002, the EN 13485 standard relates to thermometers used for measuring the temperature of chilled, frozen, deep-frozen food and ice cream during transport, storage and distribution. It defines the methods of testing, performance and suitability for use of these thermometers.
Currently being revised at European level, it is similar to the EN 12830 standard and is particularly oriented on the measurement in air or in the heart of the product taken by a thermometer.
The EN 13486 standard applicable to the verification of temperature recorders and thermometers
EU 37/2005 European regulation imposes on temperature recorders and thermometers a periodic verification according to the procedure which is specified by EN 13486 standard.
Also published in January 2002, the EN 13486 standard will also be revised at an European level.
