Overview
ISO/TS 31514:2025 - Requirements and recommendations for food traceability in cold chain logistics - specifies how to establish and operate a traceability system focused on temperature-controlled food handling. The Technical Specification guides cold chain logistics service providers through collecting, managing and implementing traceability information across transportation, warehousing, loading/unloading and delivery links to end customers. It complements ISO 22005 and aligns traceability with food safety and quality objectives.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Traceability system establishment: Assign management responsibility, provide resources (staff, SOPs, equipment) and verify that recorded information is continuous, current and effective.
- Critical Tracking Events (CTEs): Record core events at each logistics link (transport, warehouse, loading/unloading, delivery).
- Key Data Elements (KDEs): Maintain records of customer info, product identifiers, batch/expiry, receipt/delivery details, and especially temperature information (ambient and product temperature records, measurement times).
- Traceability identifiers: Use unique markings (barcodes, RFID, on-pack printing) to link KDEs to products.
- Temperature records and monitoring: Define equipment, measuring positions (product surface, product centre), acceptable deviation ranges, calibration, measurement intervals and storage periods. Annexes provide guidance on temperature measurement and example ranges.
- Information management: Requirements for information storage, backup availability in case of monitoring failure, and secure information exchange between stakeholders.
- Training and verification: Implement training, surveillance and review programs so operators correctly monitor, record and confirm handovers.
- Operational procedures: Develop SOPs covering measurement methods, selection of measuring positions, pre-cooling and carrier ambient conditions, and handover confirmations.
Applications and Users
ISO/TS 31514:2025 is intended for:
- Cold chain logistics service providers (carriers, refrigerated transport operators, third‑party logistics)
- Warehousing and distribution centers handling temperature-sensitive food
- Food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice businesses that require traceable cold chain records
- Quality, compliance and supply chain managers implementing traceability and recall readiness
- Technology and IoT vendors building temperature-monitoring and traceability solutions
Practical uses include implementing end-to-end temperature monitoring systems, creating SOPs for temperature measurement and handovers, improving recall efficiency, reducing disputes, and demonstrating compliance with food safety expectations.
Related Standards
Keywords: ISO/TS 31514:2025, food traceability, cold chain logistics, temperature monitoring, traceability system, CTE, KDE, refrigerated transport, warehousing, traceability identifiers.