FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Washington, DC – February 13, 2026 – 3‑A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3‑A SSI) today announced publication of the 3‑A Sanitary Standard for Farm Milk Cooling and Holding Tanks, 13‑12. The new edition refines structure, modernizes terminology, and clarifies critical hygienic design expectations to support manufacturers, processors, system integrators, sanitarians, and regulators. The effective date for the new edition is January 23, 2026.
“This update focuses on clarity and usability while maintaining strong hygienic design requirements,” says Eric Schweitzer, 3-A SSI Director of Standards and Certifications. “It aligns the 3‑A Sanitary Standard for Farm Milk Cooling and Holding Tanks, 13‑12,with the newly revised 3‑A Sanitary Standard for General Requirements, 00-02 (GR); streamlines navigation, and removes ambiguity that created interpretation variability for stakeholders.”
Core Changes
The 3‑A Sanitary Standard for Farm Milk Cooling and Holding Tanks, 13‑12, makes 10 notable changes as compared to the previous version, 13-11:
- Clearer, restructured format aligned to the General Requirements: 13‑12 reorganizes the standard into a more intuitive sequence (Scope, Normative References, Definitions, Materials, Fabrication of product/solution contact surfaces, Fabrication of nonproduct contact surfaces, Special Considerations,and Thermometer Specifications).
- Expanded and modernized definitions: 13‑12 consolidates and clarifies definitions for tank components (e.g., Bridge, Inlet, Outlet, Sanitary Shield, Weatherproof Shield) and product scope (milk), using consistent wording and placement. While 13‑11 included many of these terms, 13‑12 harmonizes them and relocates them under a dedicated Definitions section (Section C), tightening alignment with GR terminology.
- Normative reference model now points to the current General Requirements: 13‑12 explicitly references the most current approved version of the GR for baseline criteria across materials, surface finish, joints, coatings, cleaning/inspectability, draining, dead ends, gaskets and seals, threads,openings, sensors, spray devices, valves, fittings, machine supports, and personnel access ports. Any additions and exceptions are noted locally in 13-12. Whereas 13‑11 embedded more prescriptive detail in‑line, 13‑12 uses the GR as the controlling baseline and enumerates deltas.
- Clarified drainage and slope requirements: 13‑12 preserves the ¼ in/ft (21 mm/m) minimum bottom slope for horizontal tanks and ¾ in/ft (63 mm/m) for vertical tanks but frames them as explicit exceptions to the GR within E5 Draining, simplifying conformity checks vs. the distributed “D4” approach of 13‑11.
- Covers, bridges, vents, and openings clarified and consolidated: Requirements for main covers, nonremovable covers, bridges/fixed covers, sight and light openings, vents, and vertical agitator penetrations are grouped in E10–E15 in 13‑12, maintaining the hygienic intent of 13‑11 (D11–D12, D18) but with cleaner organization and explicit “refer to GR” cross‑references for construction details. Vent perforation limits and design against back‑pressure/vacuum are retained.
- Agitation and product uniformity kept, with explicit intermittent agitation expectation: 13‑12 carries forward the ±0.1% fat variation uniformity performance from 13‑11 and explicitly calls for automatic, intermittent, timed agitation at ≥5 minutes each hour when milk is in the tank (previously located in 13‑11 E2.5; now integrated in E12.1.1), making the operational expectation more visible.
- Temperature measurement and recorder provisions updated and elevated: 13‑12 places thermometer specifications into a dedicated H section (Indicating and Recording), converting several “Appendix (should)” formulations in 13‑11 into firmer, testable statements (e.g., display resolution, accuracy, chart specs, electronic data acquisition acceptability). This reduces ambiguity for procurement and inspection.
- Cleaning: CIP readiness and device provisions clarified: 13‑12requires CIP capability for tanks over 96 in (244 cm) inside height andcollects permanently mounted spray device expectations under E16, aligning withthe GR and 3‑A 78‑04 for spray devices intended to remain in place; 13‑11 splitthese across D19 with cross‑references to multiple appendices.
- Supports, insulation, ladders/platforms moved under “Nonproduct Contact Surfaces”: 13‑12 consolidates nameplates, supports, insulation, and external ladder/platform into F2–F6, preserving clearances and performance criteria while removing duplicative narrative from 13‑11 and tying fabrication to 88‑00 for machine-leveling feet and supports.
- Appendix modernized (advisory) with explicit ties to the GR: The 13‑12 Appendix states that, unless cited in Materials or Fabrication, appendix content is advisory, and it streamlines topics (stainless/equivalent materials, surface finish, air venting, EDTCF, cooling capability determination, and refrigeration unit location/installation).
Stakeholder Benefits
The newly revised 3‑A Sanitary Standard for Farm Milk Cooling and Holding Tanks, 13‑12, includes provisions that benefit manufacturers and component suppliers, processors and system integrators, and sanitarians and regulators.
Equipment Manufacturers:
- Design clarity and modularity: With GR as the baseline and 13‑12 listing explicit additions and exceptions, product engineers can reuse qualified design elements and quickly locate edition‑specific requirements.
- Testable specs: Consolidated thermometer/recording criteria and agitation expectations reduce “interpretation drift” and speed internal qualification.
Food& Beverage Processors:
- Operational reliability: Clear agitation duty cycle and thermometer/recorder criteria support routine quality checks and traceability.
- Maintenance efficiency: Grouped provisions for covers, vents, spray devices, and inlets/outlets simplify periodic maintenance procedures and spare parts alignment.
Inspectors & Sanitarians:
- Consistency with the GR: The explicit “refer to GR unless noted” approach standardizes inspections; 13‑12 highlights only what differs for farm tanks.
- Objective acceptance criteria: Firmed thermometer/recording specs and structured drainage/vent provisions support consistent compliance determinations.
Get the Updated Standard
The updated 3‑A Sanitary Standard for Farm Milk Cooling and Holding Tanks, 13‑12. is available now through the 3-A online store.
Equipment currently authorized to display the3-A Symbol should contact 3-A SSI regarding transition requirements.
About 3‑A Sanitary Standards, Inc.
3‑ASanitary Standards, Inc. (3‑A SSI) is a nonprofit organization that develops and maintains standards for the design and fabrication of equipment and systems used to process food and beverage products in a sanitary manner. The mission of 3‑A SSI is to enhance product safety for consumers around the world by developing standards and education materials that promote hygienic equipment design and practices. For more information,visit www.3-a.org
