How is the Cold Carrier Program Awarded?

• Participants must submit a Cold Carrier Program Application, available for download under "How to Apply" above.
• Applicants must also submit a Quality Assurance Manual that contains proof of conformance as described within the Certified Cold Carrier criteria.
• All applicants shall indicate Carrier staff to participate in the proof of knowledge component.
• Download the Certified Cold Carrier Management Systems Manual for complete information about the program. 

*Please note: the application is closed after 90 days of inactivity and the application fee is forfeit. A cold carrier can reapply after 90 days of inactivity as a new applicant

How Will a Carrier Company Benefit?

The Certified Cold Carrier Program will allow companies to:

• Review and improve company practices for the sanitary and safe shipment of perishables.
• Instill confidence with your customers—certification by an independent third party conveys impartial judgment based on a transparent standard.
• Demonstrate a commitment to quality—the mark of a third-party certification means there is a higher degree of reliability, consequently increasing the quality of the product.
• Drive management and driver commitment.
• Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to sanitary transport of food.
• Differentiate your organization from its competitors as an industry leader.
• Show your dedication to furthering the transportation and supply chain industries.

Proof of Knowledge

Members of the Carrier’s management team – those with direct oversight of drivers – will demonstrate knowledge of best practices in critical aspects of the refrigerated transport industry. Carrier management take the certified cold carrier proof of knowledge assessment and carrier management personnel are indicated within the certified cold carrier application.

Proof of knowledge is based upon the “Refrigerated Transportation Best Practices Guide” and the blueprint. The proof of knowledge assessment is a web-based multi-choice examination and passing grade on the CCC assessment fulfils the proof of knowledge requirement. Certified Cold Carriers shall identify new management personnel upon their yearly certification renewal.

Program Term and Costs

The Certified Cold Carrier term of validity of three years. A yearly renewal is required to show that the Carrier is conforming to the certification requirements. The certification cycle is shown here:

• 1) Application fee – paid with initial application
• 2) Renewal fee – fee paid on beginning year two and year three
• 3) Recertification fee – paid at start next certification cycle. Fees are shown below:

Program Testimonials

Click here to read the full Cold Facts article, "The Road to Certification," where participants in the Certified Cold Carrier pilot program share their experiences. 

“The value in the Certified Cold Carrier program for us is two-fold,” notes Jim Koeble, Vice President - Transportation for Midwest Refrigerated Services, Inc. “Internally, it invites review of best practices and creates an opportunity to re-engage drivers and staff on critical temperature control processes. Externally, it differentiates us from other carriers by demonstrating that our cold chain practices relative to the safe transportation of food are verified by a third party so that customers can have confidence in entrusting their refrigerated and frozen shipments to us.”

“The experience was painless and even I learned some new things and I’ve been doing this for 35 years,” Lee Neal, Vice President of Business Development for Great Plains Transport, Inc. notes. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for any carrier and the ROI is twofold.”

“What motivated us to become certified was that we wanted validation that our internal documentation and processes met and exceeded the stringent guidelines for best practices set by GCCA,” says Tom Hardin, Corporate Equipment Manager with the KeHE Distributor.

“With all the recent news of foodborne illnesses, FSMA was top of mind for us,” Tielens admits. “We do LTL, warehousing and truckload – all three classes – so we felt we better get on board early with the Certified Cold Carrier program. It dovetailed perfectly with our training, procedures and protocols best practices in all three areas. It was a great training tool and a good way to get our people on board,” says Dalton Tielens, Co-Owner and Director of National Operations Sales for Wel Companies

“From our company’s perspective, it was a natural. We are very serious about FSMA compliance and we see this as another technological investment in best practices,” says Travis McCain, Vice President of Sales for FFE Transportation Services, Inc.

“Certification gives your customer peace of mind that their carrier is doing the right thing, ascribing to a high standard and following best practices adopted around the world. That’s appealing,” says Don Durm, Vice President at PLM Trailer Leasing and IRTA Board and Certified Cold Carrier Task Force member.

Request more information about the program