INMETRO is the national accreditation body of Brazil, responsible for formulating Brazilian national standards. Most of Brazil's product standards are based on IEC and ISO standards. Manufacturers who want to export products to Brazil should refer to these two sets of standards when designing products. Products that meet Brazilian standards and other technical requirements must be affixed with the mandatory INMETRO mark and the mark of an accredited third - party certification body to enter the Brazilian market.

The application of the INMETRO mark can be divided into two categories: mandatory and voluntary. These two categories are certified by the certification body (CB). In addition, the Brazilian government also stipulates that some products need to carry an energy - efficiency label (smiley - face label), and this type of label is directly issued by INMETRO, without the participation of the certification body.

Mandatory Categories

· Steel pipes

· Cast - iron pipe fittings

· Steel wire ropes

· Automobile and motorcycle tires, wheels, batteries, shock absorbers, fuel pumps, horns, engine pistons, piston rings, piston pins, snap rings, safety glass and other auto parts

· Active medical devices

· Circuit breakers

· Electrical equipment used in explosive environments (explosion - proof certification)

· Equipment related to gas systems (pressure - reducing valves and rubber hoses)

· Switches, plugs and sockets

· Electronic ballasts

· Electric wires and cables

· Voltage regulators

· Household appliances

· IT equipment

Voluntary Categories

· Industrial valves

· Building materials, etc.

Energy - efficiency Label

· Three - phase motors

· Photovoltaic modules, etc.

Certification Process
In the INMETRO certification, the most widely used certification model is the internationally - common certification model 5, which includes the testing of the product itself and the audit of the factory quality management system. At the same time, this model also requires initial audits and surveillance audits. The specific process is as follows:

Initial Audit:

1. Analysis of product technical documents

2. Definition of product families and determination of product models for testing

3. Initial factory audit

4. Sampling

5. Laboratory evaluation (if applicable)

6. Witnessed test (if applicable)

7. Importer audit

8. Review of the certification process

9. Issuance of the certificate

Subsequent Surveillance Audit:
According to Brazilian laws, different products have different surveillance audit cycles, usually 6/9/12 months. The process is as follows:

1. Importer audit

2. Sampling

3. Factory audit

4. Laboratory evaluation (if applicable)

5. Witnessed test (if applicable)

6. Importer audit

7. Review of the certification process

8. Renewal of the certificate

Application for Certification
Domestic factories and traders can apply to the certification bodies authorized by the Brazilian government.

Certification Mark
The mandatory certification of INMETRO must be marked in accordance with the relevant regulations of INMETRO. And some products have requirements for the marks on the product itself and the product packaging. The marks are as follows:

Validity Period
According to the regulations of INMETRO, different products have different certification validity periods. Generally, it is 3 years (such as steel pipes) or 4 years (such as auto parts products).

Precautions

1. In Brazil, plugs must comply with standards NBR 14136 and NBR NM 60884 - 1. Since January 1, 2009, NEMA plugs have been officially phased out.

2. If it is a CB report of circuit breaker products issued by other laboratories, some additional tests must be carried out (the plan is designated by Brazil).

3. For miniature circuit breakers, the I2t curve at each current must be submitted before certification.

4. For electronics, with the test report of LCIE and the report of CIG023, it can be directly converted into an INMETRO certificate.