Brazil · Global Market Access
Entering the Brazilian Market: INMETRO
Mandatory product certification; includes factory inspection and market sampling.
- Market
- Brazil
- Site
- Latin America
- Mark
- INMETRO
01What is it?
INMETRO is Brazil's metrology and conformity institute. Products on the compulsory certification list cannot be imported without a certificate.
02Why Does This Scheme Exist?
Brazil's product conformity arrangement is administered by the national metrology and quality institute, and products within the scope of compulsory certification are subject to the technical regulations the institute publishes. The scope concentrates on electrical products, toys, personal protective equipment and construction materials.
The most defining aspect of the arrangement is the requirement that TESTING BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE COUNTRY. Authorised laboratories are within the country and acceptance of foreign reports is very limited. This makes shipping the sample to the country, clearing it through customs and waiting in the laboratory queue the main item in the timetable.
The second defining burden is factory inspection: for products within the scope of certification, the manufacturing facility is audited and follow-up inspection together with market sampling continue throughout the validity of the certificate. For a foreign facility this means auditor travel and planning.
National standards are based on international standards but carry local deviations: supply voltage can vary by region within the country, the plug-and-socket arrangement is subject to its own national standard and climatic conditions give rise to additional requirements. An international report is insufficient if it does not cover these deviations.
The application runs through a party established in the country and there is a Portuguese language requirement for documents and labels. The scope of the certificate is limited to the model and the place of manufacture; a change in either requires reassessment.
03Whose Obligation?
The application is submitted through a LEGAL ENTITY established in Brazil (an importer or local company) and the certificate is issued in that party's name.
04Required Documents
- A test report to the ABNT NBR standards (from an accredited laboratory in Brazil)
- Product description and model list
- Factory inspection records
- Portuguese label and user manual
- Local legal entity details
05Process
- 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
- 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
- 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
- 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
- 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
- 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
- 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
- 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.
06Points to Watch
- Testing is generally carried out in Brazil; overseas reports receive limited acceptance
- Factory inspection and periodic market sampling are part of the regime
- The certificate is issued in the importer's name; a change of importer requires a process
- The INMETRO mark and registration number appear on the product
07Neighbouring Schemes and the Difference
- 01Product certification and radio approvalThe radio and telecommunications side is administered by a separate authority; the product certificate does not satisfy radio approval.
- 02Local testing and foreign reportsTesting is as a rule carried out in authorised laboratories within the country; acceptance of foreign reports is very limited.
- 03Product testing and factory inspectionCertification requires both; follow-up inspection and market sampling continue for the life of the certificate.
- 04National deviationsSupply network, plug-and-socket and climatic deviations are not closed out by an international report and enter the test plan separately.
08Scheme Detail
This page describes entry into the Brazil market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.
Brazilian Conformity (INMETRO) Certification09Other Marks in the Brazil Market
10Frequently Asked Questions
This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.
The certification timeline varies with the product, the required test workload, sample shipping time and the authority's workload; for this reason, no duration in days or weeks is given on these pages. The main factors determining the timeline are: whether testing must be performed in the target country, whether a factory audit is required, the time to appoint a local representative, and the current maturity of the technical file. A realistic timeline for your product is provided in writing at the quote stage.
Market access regimes change frequently: scope lists are updated, transition periods are extended, new requirements are added. These pages describe the structure of the regime and who bears the obligation; the applicable scope and dates for your product are confirmed from the current legislative text at the quote stage.
Brazil · INMETRO roadmap for
Tell us about your product; we'll share the required steps, documents and timeline in writing.