A new global test standard for refrigerated food lockers has cleared the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) stage, marking the final step before publication. The standard defines how lockers used for temporary chilled or frozen food storage should be tested, rated and assessed for thermal and energy performance.Refrigerated lockers have become a fast‑growing part of grocery logistics as retailers expand online fulfilment and offer flexible, anytime collection via PIN codes, QR codes or app‑based access. The global market is forecast to reach $343.26 million by 2035, driven by strong adoption in the USA, China, Germany, Japan and France, with wider Europe accelerating.What’s in the New StandardThe new test method mirrors much of EN ISO 23953, including temperature classifications, test room design and instrumentation requirements. It also introduces three new climate classes (-3, -2, -1) to simulate outdoor operation at dry‑bulb temperatures of –22°C, –7°C and 5°C, with air velocity requirements of 1–3 m/s.Key technical points:Temperature classifications — aligned with EN ISO 23953, with added low‑temperature outdoor classes.Test room conditions — similar climate setup and instrumentation accuracy requirements.Loading methods — uses EN ISO 23953 M‑packs, with polystyrene blocks permitted for additional loading.Energy measurement — same methodology as EN ISO 23953, but performance is assessed using net volume, not display area.The test regime itself is almost identical to EN ISO 23953, but without door‑opening cycles, reflecting the static nature of locker compartments.Could Lockers Be Energy‑Labelled Next?The existence of a formal test standard moves refrigerated lockers closer to potential Ecodesign and Energy Labelling inclusion. The European Commission has already signalled interest in new categories such as food lockers within its impact assessment for direct‑sales refrigeration.However, regulators still need real‑world performance data — temperature stability, energy consumption and net volume — before minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) or labels can be drafted.RD&T PositionRD&T notes that locker testing is a new but straightforward extension of its existing EN ISO 23953 capability. With strong methodological overlap, the company can already test lockers across all indoor conditions defined in the new standard..