In today’s highly competitive logistics arena, truck fleets looking to get ahead must prove not only efficiency but also establish international credibility. Globally recognised quality assurance certification has become a vital ticket for South African transporters gearing to trade and compete on the global stage. For leading local cold-chain logistics company Digistics, its recent securing of four top-flight certifications simultaneously through JC Auditors (JCA) will no doubt prove a pivotal moment.

The certifications include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and RTMS accreditation. This milestone underlines what the company calls its “unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, safety and compliance” and sets a new benchmark for excellence in the local logistics sector.

Pioneering sustainability in transport
Digistics refers to a “multi-faceted sustainability strategy that integrates international standards with practical innovation.” Among the headline initiatives is its zero-emissions refrigerated fleet, with fully electric refrigerated trailers “reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring reliable cold-chain delivery.”

Equally significant is Digistics’ work in repurposing used cooking oil into biodiesel. “For every litre of biodiesel used in our fleet, carbon emissions are reduced by 2.15 kg of CO₂,” the company notes.

Beyond the emissions benefit, Digistics emphasises the food safety impact: “When UCO exceeds a free fatty acid level of 5%, it is unsafe for consumption and can become carcinogenic. By converting UCO into biodiesel, Digistics protects communities from harmful practices while reducing transport-related emissions.”

Another flagship initiative is the introduction of hybrid regeneration electric axles. In collaboration with TCA and BPW Axles, Digistics has launched 4-axle hybrid regeneration truck trailers that “capture kinetic energy, much like hybrid vehicles, to power the refrigeration units. This reduces diesel consumption in trailers by up to 99% in certain cases, saving approximately 3 litres of diesel for every hour on the road.”

According to Digistics’ management, this technology “not only cuts emissions and costs, but also provides resilience against potential diesel shortages.”

Why certification matters
Each certification underpins a critical business pillar at Digistics. ISO 9001 secures improved service delivery and continuous quality improvement. ISO 14001 embeds the company’s ability to measure, manage and reduce environmental impacts, with biodiesel and hybrid regeneration highlighted as “flagship examples of ISO 14001 in action.”

ISO 45001 protects employees through better risk identification and control. RTMS enhances road safety by focusing on load management, driver wellness and vehicle maintenance, while supporting South Africa’s national road safety objectives.

The certification audits were conducted by JC Auditors, a SANAS-accredited and IAF-aligned certification body. JCA’s integrated audit process enabled Digistics to undergo a coordinated assessment across all four standards, “reducing duplication and ensuring comprehensive compliance.”

According to JC Auditors Managing Director, Oliver Naidoo, “JCA’s certifications are backed by the International Accreditation Forum, ensuring Digistics’ achievements enjoy global recognition and credibility, while assuring stakeholders that the company operates at internationally accepted best-practice levels.”

Committed leadership
The Digistics management team comments: “This achievement is not only about compliance but about shaping a sustainable, safe and globally competitive logistics business. Our ability through innovative solutions – from biodiesel production to hybrid regeneration axles – shows our determination to make logistics greener, safer and more resilient for the future.”

Naidoo concludes: “We commend Digistics on its vision and leadership. Achieving four certifications simultaneously is already an outstanding milestone but combining this with pioneering initiatives like biodiesel repurposing and electric axle technology places Digistics at the forefront of sustainable logistics innovation.”

Editor’s comment: Digistics’ achievement with the guidance of JC Auditors shows the shift in SA trucking to a more globally orientated mindset. What’s more, global-standard certification is no longer just paperwork; it is a platform for innovation. Digistics has tied its ISO and RTMS credentials directly to hard sustainability gains, from carbon-cutting biodiesel to electric axles that harvest kinetic energy. For a South African fleet, this is an industry-defining step – and with JC Auditors’ internationally recognised stamp, it signals a new level of global competitiveness.

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