What is BS EN 12830- Tests, performance, and suitability for temperature recorders about?
BS EN 12830 discusses test methods, performance, and suitability for temperature recorders. BS EN 12830 is an international standard that provides for tests, performance, and suitability for temperature recorders to ensure safe transport, storage, and distribution of temperature-sensitive goods.
BS EN 12830 specifies the technical and functional characteristics of temperature recorders for the transport, storage, and distribution of temperature-sensitive goods between −80 °C and +85 °C.
BS EN 12830 specifies the test methods that allow the determination of the equipment's conformity, suitability, and performance requirements. BS EN 12830 applies to the whole temperature recording system. The temperature sensor(s) may be integrated into the recorder or be remote from it.
BS EN 12830 gives some requirements with regards to the location of sensors of the recorder concerning types of usage such as transport, storage, and distribution.
Note: Examples for the transport, storage, and distribution of temperature-sensitive goods between −80 °C and +85 °C are chilled, frozen, and deep-frozen, quick-frozen food, ice cream, fresh and hot food, pharmaceuticals, blood, organs, chemicals, biologicals, electronic and mechanical devices, flowers, plants, bulbs, raw materials and liquids, animals, art, and furnishing.
Who is BS EN 12830- Tests, performance, and suitability for temperature recorders for?
BS EN 12830 on tests, performance, and suitability for temperature recorders is useful for:
- Temperature recorders manufacturers
- Temperature recorders testing laboratories/test personnel
- Health and safety departments
Why should you use BS EN 12830- Tests, performance, and suitability for temperature recorders?
A temperature recorder is a portable measurement instrument that is capable of autonomously recording temperature over a defined period. The objective of the temperature recorder is to generate and record at least the accurate temperature and time, and the accurate location if applicable.
BS EN 12830 provides you with requirements, measuring range, protection of data from manipulation, audit trail, safekeeping of accessibility of data, safekeeping of readability of data, metrological characteristics and usage profiles, determination of temperature measurement error, and much more.
The requirements and test methods provided by BS EN 12830 assist in improving the performance of the temperature recorders and ensure that food is safe for consumption.
By adopting BS EN 12830 the user can enhance the efficacy of the temperature recorders and help produce a product of higher standard and quality.
What is changed since the last update?
BS EN 12830:2018 supersedes EN 12830:1999, which is withdrawn. BS EN 12830:2018 has made some technical changes compared to previous editions EN 12830:1999. These include:
- The scope was enlarged, i.e., location of sensors of the recorder concerning types of usage are included now
- Update of Clause 2 "Normative references". Update of Clause 3 "Terms and definitions". Clause 4 "Concepts" was added
- Clause 5 "Requirements" was enlarged, i.e., subclause 5.3 "Protection of the data from manipulation" and 5.12 "Software verification levels" were added and Clause 5 has been updated, e.g., values for maximum relative timing error and response time
- New subclause 6.7 "Software test" and the related Annex A "Software testing" and Annex B "Manufacturer software test form" was added. New Annex D "Expected operation time and storage capacity" and Annex E "Required access to recorded data or functions" were added

