The Road Transport Management System

Evaluating refrigerated carriers requires understanding what transport certifications actually tell you—and what they don’t.

You’ve invested in cold room monitoring. Temperature loggers track every fluctuation. Alarms trigger when doors stay open too long. Your compliance documentation would make an auditor smile.

Then your product leaves the loading bay.

For the next six hours, it’s in someone else’s custody—sitting in someone else’s vehicle, managed by someone else’s driver, protected by someone else’s systems. Or not.

Transport is where cold chain investments get tested. All your monitoring sophistication means nothing if the carrier breaks the chain somewhere between your dock and the customer’s door. So how do you evaluate whether a transport provider will actually protect your product?

One framework that helps—but requires careful interpretation—is the Road Transport Management System.

What is RTMS?

The Road Transport Management System (RTMS) is South Africa’s industry-led, government-supported voluntary self-regulation scheme for road transport operators. Developed from the Load Accreditation Programme that started with the forestry industry in 2003, RTMS has grown from 74 certified vehicles in 2007 to over 11,000 today.

The national standard—SANS 1395-1:2019—is published by SABS and audited by SANAS-accredited certification bodies operating under ISO 17021 requirements. The RTMS National Steering Committee includes private sector representatives alongside the Department of Transport, provincial transport departments, Road Accident Fund, SANRAL, SANAS, and SABS.

RTMS originated as part of the Department of Transport’s National Overload Control Strategy. Its primary focus was reducing overloading, improving road safety, and extending road infrastructure lifespan. Over time, the standard expanded to address comprehensive transport management—driver wellness, vehicle maintenance, speed control, and loading procedures.

Industry adoption has been strongest in timber, mining, sugar, paper and pulp, and beverage distribution. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa reported a 60% reduction in accidents since implementing RTMS. Africa Link documented similar safety improvements post-certification.

But here’s what matters for cold chain operators: RTMS tells you something important about a carrier’s approach to transport management—and leaves significant gaps you need to fill yourself.

Translating RTMS for Cold Chain

RTMS requirements weren’t designed with refrigerated transport in mind, but each element has cold chain implications worth understanding.

RTMS Requirement	Cold Chain Translation
Preventive maintenance processes	TRU maintenance is critical—refrigeration unit failure mid-route is the primary cause of transport temperature breaches. A carrier with systematic maintenance culture likely extends that discipline to their refrigeration equipment.
Daily vehicle roadworthiness verification	Should include TRU operational checks, not just vehicle safety items. Does the carrier’s daily checklist include refrigeration system function?
Driver wellness and fatigue management	Fatigued drivers skip pre-trip checks, ignore temperature alarms, and make poor decisions during excursions. Driver alertness directly affects cold chain integrity.
Speed management	Higher speeds increase fuel consumption and can deplete TRU diesel on long hauls. Speed discipline suggests overall operational discipline.
Accident and incident protocols	A crash involving refrigerated cargo requires immediate product disposition decisions. Does the carrier have defined processes for temperature-sensitive freight in incident situations?
Loading control	Overloaded vehicles strain TRU capacity. Improper loading blocks airflow, causing uneven temperatures. A carrier that controls loading systematically likely understands cargo distribution principles.
Route risk analysis	For cold chain, this should include ambient temperature exposure, altitude effects on refrigeration performance, and backup facility locations along the route.
Record keeping	Creates audit trail and documentation culture, though not temperature-specific records.

The translation isn’t direct, but the pattern matters. RTMS certification indicates a carrier has embraced systematic management—documented procedures, regular audits, third-party verification. That’s the same mindset required for effective cold chain management.

A carrier operating on “she’ll be right” assumptions won’t pursue voluntary certification requiring ongoing audit compliance. The certification process itself selects for operators who value systematic approaches over informal arrangements.

What RTMS Tells You About a Carrier

When a carrier presents RTMS certification, you’re learning several useful things.

• Systems thinking: The carrier has implemented documented management systems subject to external audit. This doesn’t guarantee cold chain competence, but it demonstrates organisational capacity for systematic operations rather than ad-hoc management.
• Maintenance investment: RTMS requires preventive maintenance processes. Carriers meeting this standard are more likely to maintain refrigeration equipment properly—though you should verify this specifically.
• Driver management: RTMS addresses driver hours, fatigue management, and wellness programmes. Alert, well-rested drivers respond better to temperature excursions, follow pre-trip procedures more consistently, and make better decisions under pressure.
• Documentation culture: RTMS operators maintain records for audits. This discipline supports the documentation requirements of cold chain compliance—though you’ll need to verify they apply this discipline to temperature records specifically.
• Third-party verification: SANAS-accredited certification bodies audit RTMS operators against SANS 1395-1. This isn’t self-declared compliance; someone independent has verified the systems are operational.
• Continuous improvement: Certification requires ongoing surveillance audits. CCBSA, for example, has maintained certification through multiple audit cycles since 2018, with documented improvements in areas flagged by auditors. This suggests responsiveness to identified gaps.

These indicators correlate with—but don’t guarantee—cold chain capability.

What RTMS Doesn’t Tell You

Here’s the critical gap: RTMS certification tells you nothing specific about a carrier’s ability to protect temperature-sensitive product.

• No temperature monitoring requirements. RTMS doesn’t specify that carriers must have temperature logging equipment, real-time monitoring systems, or any particular cold chain technology. A fully RTMS-certified carrier could operate refrigerated vehicles with no temperature documentation whatsoever.
• No R638 food safety integration. RTMS is a transport management standard, not a food safety standard. It doesn’t address R638 requirements for temperature specifications, product segregation, or hygiene standards specific to food transport.
• No cold chain training standards. RTMS addresses driver competency for vehicle operation and road safety. It doesn’t require training on cold chain handling procedures, temperature excursion response, or product-specific requirements.
• No TRU specifications. RTMS doesn’t require refrigeration equipment to meet any particular capacity, performance, or maintenance standards. A carrier could be RTMS-certified while operating undersized or poorly maintained refrigeration units.
• No pharmaceutical GDP compliance. For pharmaceutical cold chain, GDP requirements demand calibrated monitoring equipment, validated transport processes, and specific documentation. RTMS doesn’t address any of this.

The implication is clear: RTMS certification indicates professional transport management but does not guarantee cold chain competence. A carrier can be RTMS-certified while having inadequate refrigeration equipment, untrained drivers, and no temperature monitoring systems.

The certified carrier with broken refrigeration is a real scenario, not a hypothetical.

Building a Complete Picture

Effective carrier evaluation combines RTMS (or equivalent transport management systems) with cold-chain-specific due diligence. Neither alone is sufficient; both together provide confidence.

For RTMS-certified carriers, ask:

• What temperature monitoring equipment do you use on refrigerated vehicles?
• Can you provide temperature records from deliveries similar to ours?
• What’s your protocol when temperature excursion is detected during transport?
• How do you verify TRU function during daily roadworthiness checks?
• What cold chain-specific training do your drivers receive?
• How do you ensure R638 compliance for food transport?

For carriers without RTMS certification, ask:

• What transport management systems do you have in place?
• How do you manage preventive maintenance for vehicles and refrigeration equipment?
• What driver management processes address hours, fatigue, and training?
• How do you document compliance with your procedures?
• Have you considered RTMS certification, and if not, why?

Red flags regardless of certification status:

• Vague answers about temperature monitoring (“we check it regularly”)
• Unable to provide sample temperature records from recent deliveries
• No defined process for temperature excursions
• Defensive response to compliance documentation requests
• TRU maintenance treated as reactive rather than preventive
• Drivers unable to explain basic cold chain procedures

The Due Diligence Checklist

When evaluating refrigerated transport providers, assess each of these areas independently.

Transport Management

• RTMS certification (or documented equivalent management systems)
• Preventive maintenance programme with records
• Driver management processes (hours, fatigue, training)
• Incident response procedures
• Insurance coverage appropriate for cargo values

Cold Chain Capability

• Temperature monitoring equipment specification
• Data logging frequency and record retention
• Temperature excursion detection and response protocol
• TRU maintenance records and service intervals
• Multi-temperature capability if required

Regulatory Compliance

• R638 compliance documentation for food transport
• Vehicle hygiene procedures and cleaning records
• Product segregation practices
• Driver training records specific to cold chain

Verification

• Sample temperature logs from recent deliveries
• Reference checks with shippers moving similar products
• Site visit or vehicle inspection if practical
• Insurance certificate review for cold chain provisions

A carrier strong in transport management but weak in cold chain specifics may be worth developing—their systematic approach suggests capacity to improve. A carrier weak in both should raise serious concerns regardless of how competitive their pricing appears.

For Carriers: The Cold Chain Differentiation Opportunity

If you’re a refrigerated transport operator reading this, consider the market positioning implications.

Cold chain shippers increasingly recognise that price alone doesn’t determine transport value. A carrier offering R50/km less but causing a R200,000 product loss costs far more than the premium alternative. Sophisticated shippers evaluate total cost of risk, not just transport rates.

Combining RTMS certification with demonstrable cold chain capabilities creates genuine differentiation. The combination signals both professional transport management and specific cold chain competence—a position few competitors occupy.

Consider what comprehensive cold chain capability looks like:

• RTMS certification demonstrating transport management systems
• Temperature monitoring with accessible data logs
• R638 compliance documentation ready for customer audits
• Driver training records specific to cold chain handling
• TRU maintenance programme with documentation
• Defined temperature excursion protocols
• Appropriate insurance including cold chain provisions

Carriers investing in this capability position themselves for premium segments of the refrigerated transport market—pharmaceutical distribution, high-value food products, and quality-focused manufacturers who evaluate partners on capability rather than rate cards alone.

Improving RTMS for Cold Chain: A Path Forward

RTMS has proven its value in reducing accidents, controlling overloading, and professionalising road transport. Extending this framework to address cold chain-specific requirements would benefit the refrigerated transport sector significantly.

Temperature Monitoring Integration

The most obvious gap is the absence of temperature monitoring requirements. A cold chain addendum to SANS 1395-1 could specify minimum standards for temperature logging equipment, data retention periods, and calibration requirements. This wouldn’t require reinventing standards—R638 already defines temperature requirements by product category. RTMS could simply require documented systems for meeting those requirements during transport.

TRU Maintenance Standards

Current preventive maintenance requirements address vehicle roadworthiness but not refrigeration system reliability. Adding TRU-specific maintenance intervals, service documentation requirements, and performance verification protocols would address the primary cause of transport temperature breaches. Equipment manufacturers already publish recommended service schedules; RTMS could require adherence to these specifications.

Cold Chain Driver Competency

RTMS addresses driver wellness and fatigue but not product-specific handling competency. A cold chain module could require documented training covering pre-trip refrigeration checks, temperature excursion response, proper loading for airflow, and product-specific requirements. This training framework could align with existing industry programmes rather than creating parallel requirements.

Incident Response for Temperature-Sensitive Cargo

Current accident and incident protocols focus on road safety and vehicle recovery. For refrigerated transport, incident response must also address product disposition decisions—when can cargo be salvaged, when must it be rejected, who makes that call, and how is it documented? Cold chain-specific incident protocols would close this gap.

Route Planning for Refrigerated Transport

Route risk analysis currently addresses road conditions, traffic patterns, and safety considerations. For cold chain, route planning should also consider ambient temperature exposure on extended stops, altitude effects on refrigeration performance (particularly relevant for Gauteng operations), and locations of backup cold storage facilities along primary routes.

Industry Collaboration Opportunity

The RTMS National Steering Committee includes government departments, SANAS, SABS, and private sector representatives. Adding cold chain industry representation—through organisations like the Global Cold Chain Alliance South Africa chapter or refrigerated transport operators—could inform development of cold chain-specific requirements that are both rigorous and practically implementable.

This isn’t criticism of RTMS as it exists. The standard does what it was designed to do. But refrigerated transport has grown significantly, and the framework has capacity to evolve. A cold chain addendum would create a single, auditable standard combining transport management excellence with temperature-controlled logistics requirements—something the industry currently lacks.

Systematic Management Over Assumptions

The theme connecting cold storage monitoring and transport evaluation is the same: systematic management beats assumptions.

“She’ll be right” fails in transport just as it fails in storage. The carrier who assumes their refrigeration is working, assumes their drivers follow procedures, assumes temperature stays in range—that carrier will eventually deliver spoiled product. The question is whether it’s your product.

RTMS certification signals rejection of assumption-based operations in favour of documented systems, regular verification, and third-party audit. That’s valuable information. But it’s one component of the complete picture.

Your monitoring investment is only as good as your weakest transport link. The cold room sensors, the alarm systems, the compliance documentation—all of it protects product only while it’s in your custody. Once it leaves your loading bay, your investment depends on someone else’s systems.

Evaluate those systems thoroughly. Ask the uncomfortable questions. Request the documentation. Verify the capability.

Because the chain is only as strong as its weakest link—and transport is often where that link fails.

Sources and References

RTMS Official Sources

• What is RTMS? — Road Transport Management System South Africa. Overview of the RTMS framework, certification process, and industry benefits. Accessed December 2025.
• SANS 1395-1:2019 Road Transport Management System Standard — South African Bureau of Standards. The national standard defining RTMS requirements for transporters and consignors.

Industry Coverage

• Road Transport Management System (RTMS) and Road Safety — Arrive Alive Road Safety Portal. Comprehensive overview of RTMS objectives, requirements, and road safety benefits.
• Road Transport Management System (RTMS): Making Trucking Safer — Arrive Alive Road Safety Portal. Industry perspectives on RTMS implementation and safety outcomes.
• Six More Companies RTMS Certified — Focus on Transport, May 2019. Coverage of expanding RTMS certification across South African transport operators.

Case Studies and Industry Data

• CCBSA RTMS Case Study 2025 — Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa. Documented 60% accident reduction since RTMS implementation, ongoing certification maintenance through multiple audit cycles.
• JC Auditors RTMS Certification Services — SANAS-accredited certification body providing RTMS auditing services. Case study references for CCBSA and other certified operators.

Academic Research

• Perceptions of the Road Transport Management System (RTMS): Promoting Voluntary Certification — Gillham, G. and de Beer, D. Proceedings of the 36th Southern African Transport Conference (SATC 2017). University of Pretoria Institutional Repository. Research on industry perceptions and certification adoption factors.

Regulatory Context

• National Overload Control Strategy — Department of Transport, Government of South Africa. Policy framework supporting RTMS development and implementation.
• ISO 17021 Accreditation Requirements — South African National Accreditation System. Standards for certification bodies conducting RTMS audits.

Related ColdChainSA Resources

• The Hidden Cost of ‘She’ll Be Right’ Temperature Management — Companion article addressing temperature monitoring assumptions in cold storage environments.
• R638 Compliance Resources — Regulatory guidance for food transport temperature requirements.
• Cold Chain Glossary — Definitions of technical terms used in temperature-controlled logistics.

Related Resources

• Long-Haul Refrigerated Transport Directory
• Refrigerated Courier Listings
• R638 Compliance Guide
• Cold Chain Glossary
• Temperature Monitoring Providers

About ColdChainSA

ColdChainSA is South Africa’s specialised cold chain industry directory and resource platform. We connect cold chain professionals with equipment suppliers, service providers, and industry knowledge—supporting temperature-controlled logistics across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors.