The Commercial Refrigerator Manufacturers Section of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has approved for publication AHRI Standard 1250-2009, Performance Rating of Walk-In Coolers and Freezers. The standard establishes definitions, test requirements, rating requirements, minimum data requirements for published ratings, operating requirements, marking and nameplate data, and conformance conditions for walk-in coolers and freezers. This standard applies to mechanical refrigeration equipment consisting of an integrated single package refrigeration unit or as separate unit-cooler and condensing-unit sections in which the condensing unit can be located either outdoors or indoors. Controls can be integral or can be provided by a separate party as long as their performance is tested and certified with the listed mechanical equipment.

AHRI develops and publishes performance-rating standards for industry products.  The standards establish rating criteria and procedures for measuring and certifying product performance so that products are rated on a uniform basis. AHRI's standards and guidelines are available for free download from the AHRI Website because AHRI members want to make it easier for contractors, designers, and engineers to make choices based on easily accessed testing and rating information.