SGS : Ensuring Competitiveness & Safety with Brazil’s INMETRO

Companies marketing electrical and electronic products (EE) in Brazil must demonstrate a commitment to safety and quality through INMETRO certification.

In 2009, Brazil updated the INMETRO certification standard for all household appliances with Ordinance 371. INMETRO certification is now compulsory for these products and includes a safety testing requirement.

INMETRO (the National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality) was created in December 1973 with the remit to improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens and, through metrology and quality assessment, strengthen the economy. INMETRO defines and controls, through its certification scheme, the standards to which products must comply before they can be marketed in Brazil.

Beginning with condoms in around 2002, the scope of INMETRO certification has steadily increased ever since. Between 2010 and 2011, a significant number of products were added to the list, including medical devices and household appliances.

Certification is issued on either a mandatory or voluntary basis by a third-party Product Certification Body (OCP), accredited by INMETRO. All products under mandatory INMETRO control must be certified and marked, or labelled, before entry into the Brazilian market.

In 2009 Brazil updated the certification standard for all household appliances to protect consumers and improve local manufacturing. Ordinance 371 makes the INMETRO certification mark compulsory for these appliances and includes a safety testing requirement.

Currently the categories of electrical & electronic products that are subject to mandatory INMETRO certification include:

• Medical devices
• Household appliances
• Fans
• Microwave Ovens
• Commercial Electric Ovens
• IT Equipment
• Gas Ovens and Stoves
• LED lighting

Depending on the product category, INMETRO certification is valid for a period of between one and five years. In some cases, the certification program also allows for batch certification.

The INMETRO Marking Process for imported products includes the following steps:

1. Product Testing
2. Factory Inspection - repeated annually (not required for batch certification)
3. Importer Audit
4. Certification

INMETRO Marking Process

Upon successful completion of the certification process the INMETRO mark should be added to the qualified product, whether the certification is mandatory or voluntary. Before certification can be completed, all audit reports must be completed, including factory inspections and importer audits. Furthermore, continued surveillance audits and testing is required to maintain the certificate's validity.

INMETRO-accredited Certification in Brazil

Accredited by CGCRE - General Coordination for Accreditation - the accreditation body for INMETRO, SGS is Brazil's largest independent testing company. We can assist with certification for all your EE products and offer unrivaled expertise in market approval. Our experts ensure compliance with all relevant standards and assist with timely access for your products to the Brazilian market.

SGS is generating confidence for Brazilian consumers, institutions and businesses through its 16 local testing laboratories. We employ more than 1,500 experts and technicians specialized in inspection, verification, testing, certification and training services. SGS supports its customers with timely and relevant information on all regulatory updates for the Brazilian market and helps ensure their products comply quickly, and in a cost-effective manner, with changes in applicable standards and regulations. In addition to its services in Brazil, SGS is unique in being able to provide local resources anywhere around the globe, supporting certification processes with factory inspections in other manufacturing regions.

For more information:

Thiago Doretto
SGS do Brasil LTDA
t: + 55 11 3883 8880 - 8991