ATP Handbook

The Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be Used for such Carriage (ATP) was done at Geneva on 1 September 1970 and entered into force on 21 November 1976. The objectives of the ATP are to facilitate international transport of perishable foodstuffs and to ensure a high level of preservation of the quality of perishable foodstuffs during their carriage. The ATP applies to the carriage of perishable foodstuffs performed on the territory of at least two Contracting States not only by road, but also by rail and by sea (sea crossings must be less than 150 km long). In addition, a number of countries have also adopted the ATP as the basis for their national legislation. The ATP Handbook comprises the Agreement itself and its Annexes with comments added where appropriate for clarification or additional explanation of the text. The comments are not legally binding for Contracting Parties of the ATP. They are, however, important for the interpretation, harmonization and application of the Agreement as they reflect the opinion of the Working Party on the Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs (WP.11).