Application of Metrology in Q-Cold Chain 

to Maintain Food Quality under the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI)

News from Members - NIMT

Currently, Thailand faces challenges in the growing Cold Chain Logistics industry. The export value of fresh foods, such as fresh fruits and frozen fruits, has increased by no less than 24% (2023-2024). To address this, the Department of Land Transport has implemented measures to enhance the quality standards for agricultural and food transportation services using temperature-controlled trucks (Q cold chain). This aims to develop strategies for aligning Cold Chain Logistics and fostering cooperation between public and private sectors to create sustainable Cold Chain Logistics. At present, temperature-controlled trucks certified for Q cold chain are being used to export fresh fruits internationally, identified by the Q MARK symbol, which ensures the preservation of fruit quality and minimizes losses during transportation.

Figure 1: Q MARK for Cold Chain Logistics

In 2022, the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT) began working to support operators of temperature-controlled trucks in enhancing their performance and competitiveness through the Q Cold Chain Standard. This aligns with the NQI’s primary functions in two areas: traceability of measurement results and knowledge development for personnel involved in temperature measurement and control within Cold Chain Logistics. These efforts ensure that the calibration of temperature measuring devices supports efficient and safe transport and storage.

Figure 2: NIMT’s activities for seminar and workshops about Q Cold Chain Standard.

For traceability, this is executed by the Temperature Laboratory, under the Department of Temperature and Optical Metrology, offering services for using in Cold Chain Logistics between -25 °C to 15 °C. The laboratory is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 at range -198 °C to 1 500 °C, ensuring continuous traceability without interruption.

In terms of knowledge development, NIMT has collaborated with the Department of Land Transport to raise awareness about the Q Cold Chain Standard through seminar and workshops on topics such as Understanding and Interpreting measurement and calibration certificates for the Q cold chain standard, Calibration to Verification of temperature measurement devices, and Testing cold room temperature distribution. These workshops were conducted between 2022 to 2025.

Looking ahead, Thailand's Cold Chain Logistics is expected to continue its growth, with advancements in new technologies improving temperature control efficiency and quality inspection throughout the transportation chain. The NQI will remain a crucial pillar in supporting the development and enhancement of transportation standards in the country.

International Relations Office (IRO), National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT)

iro@nimt.or.th