Brazil has established a new regulatory and conformity assessment agenda for measuring instruments, focusing on metrology and public health standards within the scope of Inmetro’s Legal Metrology Directorate.
Brazil Updates Measuring Instruments Rules for 2026-2027
New regulatory agenda targets scales, meters, and volume containers to ensure accuracy and public safety.
What changed
Regulatory and Conformity Assessment Agenda published for the 2026-2027 biennium.
Regulatory Outcome Assessment Agenda created for 2026 to evaluate existing regulations.
Scope expanded to cover weighing scales, liquid volume containers, and commercial meters.
Public health focus strengthened to protect consumers and ensure measurement accuracy.
Who it affects
Manufacturers of measuring instruments must align with Inmetro’s new conformity assessment requirements.
Importers of commercial measurement devices must ensure products meet the updated metrology standards.
Testing laboratories will need to follow the new conformity assessment procedures.
Key dates
Regulation Analysis: Brazil’s New Regulatory and Conformity Assessment Agenda for Measuring Instruments and Sustainability Standards
Brazil’s Agenda Regulatória e de Avaliação da Conformidade (Agenda Dconf) for 2026–2027, established under Portaria nº 210/2026 by the Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (Inmetro), introduces a structured framework for conformity assessment in two key areas:
- Legal metrology (measuring instruments under Inmetro’s Legal Metrology Directorate).
- Sustainability-focused voluntary conformity assessment (e.g., "Selo Verde" for polyethylene and related materials).
The agenda prioritizes voluntary measures for sustainability while maintaining mandatory compliance for metrology-related instruments. Below is a structured breakdown of the requirements, stakeholders, and timelines.
1. Scope and Objectives
The agenda aims to:
- Enhance public health and safety through stricter metrology standards for measuring instruments1.
- Promote sustainability by evaluating voluntary conformity assessment criteria for materials like polyethylene (e.g., "Selo Verde")1.
- Align with international trade by flagging potential impacts on global commerce (e.g., for polyethylene, an "indicative of significant impact" is noted)1.
2. Key Requirements by Theme
A. Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments)
While the provided sources do not detail specific technical requirements for measuring instruments, the agenda’s focus on Inmetro’s Legal Metrology Directorate implies adherence to existing mandatory regulations, such as:
- Portaria Inmetro nº 157/2022 (metrological control of measuring instruments).
- Compulsory certification for instruments used in trade, health, and safety (e.g., scales, fuel pumps, medical devices).
Stakeholders Affected:
- Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of measuring instruments.
- Laboratories and conformity assessment bodies.
- Regulatory enforcement agencies (e.g., Inmetro, ANVISA for health-related instruments).
B. Voluntary Conformity Assessment: "Selo Verde" for Polyethylene
The agenda introduces a voluntary conformity assessment program for polyethylene (and potentially other materials like aluminum and glass) to ensure compliance with sustainability requirements in production. Key details:
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda Dconf (2026–2027) | Evaluate the need for voluntary criteria/procedures to assess polyethylene conformity, focusing on sustainability1. | 2026 | MDIC/Inmetro1 |
| Selo Verde (Draft) | If implemented, establish voluntary conformity assessment procedures for polyethylene production, including lifecycle sustainability criteria (e.g., carbon footprint, recyclability)1. | Not specified | MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation)1 |
Stakeholders Affected:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of polyethylene/polymers1.
- Importers and distributors1.
- Testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies1.
- Regulatory agencies (e.g., Inmetro, IBAMA for environmental compliance)1.
- Consumers (indirectly, through market access to certified products)1.
International Trade Impact:
- The agenda explicitly flags the "Selo Verde" initiative as having a potential significant impact on international commerce1, likely due to:
- New documentation requirements for imported polyethylene.
- Alignment with global sustainability standards (e.g., EU Green Deal, ISO 14024 for eco-labels).
3. Timeline and Implementation
- 2026: Evaluation phase for voluntary conformity assessment criteria (e.g., "Selo Verde")1.
- 2026–2027: Development of procedures and potential pilot programs1.
- No mandatory deadlines are specified for compliance, as the measures are voluntary1.
4. Regulatory Authorities
| Authority | Role |
|---|---|
| Inmetro | Lead agency for conformity assessment and legal metrology1. |
| MDIC (Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services) | Co-regulator for the "Selo Verde" initiative1. |
| MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation) | Partner for sustainability-focused conformity assessment1. |
5. Compliance Obligations
For Measuring Instruments (Mandatory):
- Certification: Instruments must comply with Inmetro’s technical regulations (e.g., accuracy, safety).
- Marking: Products must bear the Inmetro conformity mark (e.g., "INMETRO" seal).
- Inspections: Subject to periodic verification by Inmetro or accredited bodies.
For Polyethylene (Voluntary):
- Conformity Assessment: Participation in the "Selo Verde" program is optional but may require:
Summary Answer
Brazil’s Agenda Dconf (2026–2027) introduces a dual approach to conformity assessment:
- Mandatory metrology standards for measuring instruments under Inmetro’s Legal Metrology Directorate, ensuring accuracy and public health compliance1.
- Voluntary sustainability criteria for polyethylene (e.g., "Selo Verde"), with a 2026 evaluation phase to develop conformity procedures1. The initiative targets manufacturers, importers, and laboratories, with potential trade implications flagged for international stakeholders1. While the polyethylene measures are voluntary, they may become de facto requirements for market access, particularly in sectors prioritizing sustainability1. The MDIC and MCTI are the primary authorities overseeing the "Selo Verde" program, while Inmetro retains jurisdiction over legal metrology1. No mandatory deadlines are specified for the voluntary measures1.
Sources
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02755 — Brazil https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/BRA/26_02755_00_x.pdf