Overview
EN ISO 23953-1:2023 (Refrigerated display cabinets - Part 1: Vocabulary) is the CEN-adopted ISO vocabulary that defines standardized terms for refrigerated display cabinets used for the sale and display of foodstuffs. Adopted as a European Standard in December 2023 and published as EN ISO 23953-1:2023, this third edition updates and expands terminology to support consistent product descriptions, testing and regulatory communication across manufacturers, laboratories and authorities. It explicitly excludes refrigerated vending machines and cabinets intended for catering or non‑retail applications.
Key topics and requirements
This part of ISO 23953 focuses on clear, consistent terminology and covers:
- Cabinet families and types - e.g., vertical, semi‑vertical, horizontal, closed, multi‑temperature, multi‑use, roll‑in and combined cabinets.
- Shapes and layouts - island runs, internal/external angle cabinets, back‑wall service units and line‑up configurations.
- Parts and access types - doors, lids, assisted‑service and self‑service openings, sneeze guards, compartments and loading doors.
- Dimensional and operating characteristics - display heights/depths and product temperature definitions.
- Energy and performance vocabulary - energy consumption terms, coefficients of performance, heat removal and refrigeration energy descriptors.
- Test environment and standard rating conditions - definitions aligned with ISO 23953‑2:2023 (classifications, test conditions and requirements).
- Product family designation - rules for naming and grouping similar cabinet designs (Annex A).
The document revises many previous definitions and introduces new terms (for example, “multi‑use refrigerated display cabinet”, “assisted‑service door”, and “refrigeration electrical energy consumption compression‑type”), helping harmonize testing, declaration and specification language.
Applications and who uses it
EN ISO 23953-1:2023 is essential for:
- Manufacturers and designers - to label products consistently and describe features in datasheets.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to use common terminology in reports and compliance testing (references ISO 23953‑2).
- Retailers and procurement teams - to create clear specifications and tender documents.
- Regulators and energy assessors - to align definitions used in standards, energy labelling and performance requirements.
- R&D and technical documentation writers - to ensure interoperable product information for international markets.
Practical benefits include reduced ambiguity in product specs, improved comparability in energy and performance data, and streamlined cross‑border trade and regulatory compliance.
Related standards
Keywords: refrigerated display cabinets, ISO 23953-1:2023, vocabulary, commercial refrigeration, retail refrigeration, product terminology, energy consumption, cabinet classification, CEN.
