For any manufacturer targeting the Brazilian market, INMETRO certification is not an option but a legally mandatory cornerstone of market access. As Brazil’s National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology, INMETRO has established a rigorous and dynamically updated product compliance system. In 2025, this system is undergoing significant deepening and expansion—understanding its latest logic has become critical for enterprises to mitigate risks and succeed in market layout.

I. Core Supervision Principles of INMETRO Product Certification

INMETRO certification is essentially a technical regulatory system centered on protecting consumer safety, health, and the environment, while ensuring energy efficiency and market order. Its supervision exhibits three distinct characteristics:

1. Continuously Expanding Mandatory Scope

As of 2025, INMETRO’s mandatory certification product catalog covers 156 major categories—significantly expanded from previous years. This extends far beyond traditional home appliances and lighting fixtures to include automotive parts, medical devices, children’s products, building materials, and even industrial equipment.

2. "Localized Standards" Are Non-Negotiable

While Brazil extensively adopts international standards such as IEC and ISO, they are all converted and integrated into mandatory Brazilian National Standards (ABNT NBR). Key "national differences" must be emphasized—such as Brazil’s unique 127V/220V dual-voltage system, humid tropical climate test requirements, and mandatory Portuguese labeling regulations.

3. Key 2025 New Regulations & Trends

·Deepened Supervision of Smart Devices: Smart home appliances with wireless functions (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) such as smart air conditioners and refrigerators require both INMETRO safety/energy efficiency certification and ANATEL certification from Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency—forming a "dual access" requirement. The special safety standard for smart devices originally scheduled to take effect in 2025 has been postponed to January 2, 2026, providing enterprises with additional preparation time.

·Increasingly Stringent Energy Efficiency Requirements: For high-energy-consuming products such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and LED lighting, the mandatory Energy Efficiency Labeling Program (PBE) thresholds continue to rise. For example, LED lamps must undergo luminous efficacy testing in accordance with Decree Portaria 389 updated in 2024. Certain home appliances require an energy efficiency rating of Class C or higher for sale.

·Updated Requirements for Specific Products: Wireless charging devices must supplement Qi protocol compatibility testing; tires must be permanently marked with the INMETRO logo on the sidewall after passing dynamic load testing; the list of certification bodies qualified for medical devices is also dynamically expanding (e.g., SGS recently added qualification for issuing certificates for disposable infusion sets and syringes).

·Continuous Regulatory Revisions: INMETRO regulations are subject to ongoing updates. For example, Regulation No. 676 on conformity assessment requirements for civil construction materials and equipment was revised in November 2024, with consultation processes continuing into 2025. Enterprises must dynamically monitor official announcements.

  II. Core INMETRO Product Certification Breakdown

Enterprises must abandon the "single test" mindset—INMETRO certification is typically a combination of multi-dimensional evaluations.

1. Safety Certification (Basic Threshold)

This is a common requirement for most mandatory products. Testing is based on ABNT NBR standards, covering electric shock protection, insulation, temperature rise, mechanical strength, etc. Key point: Testing must be conducted in a Brazil-accredited local laboratory or by an ILAC-accredited laboratory with subsequent review by a Brazilian laboratory. Holding a CB report alone is generally not sufficient for direct certification—supplementary Brazil-specific difference testing is mandatory.

2. Energy Efficiency Certification (PBE, Market Pass)

For cataloged products, energy efficiency certification is an independent and mandatory link, directly issued by INMETRO. Enterprises must complete testing in a Brazil-designated laboratory to obtain an energy efficiency rating (Class A-G) and permanently affix the official "smiley face" PBE energy efficiency label to the product. The certificate is typically valid for 5 years.

3. Additional Items for Specific Products (Differentiation Key)

This reflects risk-based product control. Examples include:

·Automotive Tires: Require high-speed performance, durability (e.g., radial fatigue testing), and salt spray testing.

·Children’s Products & Toys: Must meet strict mechanical/physical performance and chemical substance (e.g., phthalate) restriction requirements.

·Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Almost all electrical and electronic products must meet EMC requirements to ensure stable operation in Brazil’s complex power grid environment without causing interference.

  III. Key INMETRO Product Certification Process

The INMETRO certification process (commonly Mode 5) involves far more than sample testing—its core is verifying the ability to maintain consistent, stable compliant production.

1. Indispensable Local Responsible Party

Foreign manufacturers must entrust a legally registered entity in Brazil (importer or authorized representative) as their legal representative. This representative holds the certificate and assumes legal market liability—this is a prerequisite for initiating certification.

2. Mandatory Factory Audit

For most products, factory audits are required during initial certification and subsequent maintenance. Auditors will evaluate the enterprise’s quality management system (even if ISO 9001 certified) and focus on verifying production consistency—ensuring mass-produced products are identical to tested samples in terms of critical components, materials, and processes.

3. Ongoing Certificate Maintenance

Certificates are typically valid for 5 years. During this period, the Certification Body (OCP) conducts annual unannounced surveillance audits, including factory inspections and random market sampling tests. Any design, critical component, or production location changes that may affect conformity must be reported to the OCP in advance for approval.

INMETRO certification in 2025 has evolved into a systematic compliance project covering the entire product lifecycle. Its core logic has shifted from "obtaining a certificate" to "proving and maintaining the ability for continuous compliance". BLUEASIA Technology: +86 13534225140, will provide professional certification consulting services.