Brazil Updates Cylinders for Natural Gas in Vehicles Regulatory Framework

Brazil amended its regulatory framework for cylinders for natural gas in vehicles to integrate the "Inmetro in the Palm of your Hand" project, updating conformity requirements for requalification and technical inspection of cylinders

Compliance Requirements for Cylinders for Natural Gas Vehicles (GNV) Under Brazil’s Updated Regulatory Framework

Brazil has amended its conformity assessment requirements for cylinders used to store Compressed Natural Gas for Vehicles (GNV) to integrate the "Inmetro in the Palm of Your Hand" (Inmetro na Palma da Mão) project. The updates, introduced by Portaria Inmetro nº 409/2026, modify the Selo de Identificação da Conformidade (Conformity Identification Seal) and establish new procedures for requalification, technical inspection, and seal registration. Below is a structured breakdown of the key compliance obligations, deadlines, and procedural changes.

1. Key Changes Introduced by Portaria Inmetro nº 409/2026

The regulation amends multiple existing Portarias Inmetro (231/2021, 108/2022, 58/2022, 436/2021, and 133/2022) to align with the digital authentication project. The primary updates include:

A. New Seal Specifications

• Dimensions: The Selo de Identificação da Conformidade must measure 30 mm × 40 mm¹.
• Placement: The seal must be affixed to the dome (cúpula) of GNV cylinders².
• Authentication: The seal now integrates with the "Inmetro na Palma da Mão" system to prevent counterfeiting¹. Suppliers must acquire seals exclusively from:
  • Casa da Moeda do Brasil (Brazilian Mint), or
  • Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Telégrafos (Correios)¹.

B. Digital Registration Obligations

• Mandatory Registration: Starting 1 November 2026, suppliers must register the use of each seal via the "Inmetro na Palma da Mão – Versão Fornecedor" mobile application¹.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance:
  • Failure to register may result in denial of future seal acquisition authorizations¹.
  • Additional administrative measures may apply¹.

C. Transition Periods and Deadlines

2. Requalification and Technical Inspection Requirements

The updated framework maintains existing requalification and inspection obligations for GNV cylinders but integrates them into the digital system:

A. Requalification of Cylinders

• Regulatory Basis: Governed by Portaria Inmetro nº 133/2022¹.
• Seal Requirements:
  • Requalified cylinders must bear the new seal design (30 mm × 40 mm)¹.
  • The seal must be registered in the "Inmetro na Palma da Mão" system¹.

B. Technical Inspection of Cylinders

• Regulatory Basis: Governed by Portaria Inmetro nº 436/2021¹.
• Seal Placement: The seal must be affixed to the cylinder dome².
• Digital Traceability: Inspection service providers must register seal usage in the app starting 1 November 2026¹.

3. Compliance Steps for Suppliers and Service Providers

For Manufacturers/Importers:

1. Acquire New Seals:
   • Purchase seals only from Casa da Moeda or Correios¹.
   • Old seals may be used until 31 December 2025 if the product was manufactured/imported before this date¹.
2. Register Seal Usage:
   • Use the "Inmetro na Palma da Mão – Versão Fornecedor" app to log each seal applied starting 1 November 2026¹.
3. Phase Out Old Seals:
   • Stop using old seals after 31 December 2025¹.
   • Commercialize remaining stock with old seals until 31 March 2026¹.

For Distributors/Retailers:

• Sell Only New-Seal Products:
  • From 30 June 2026, commercial establishments must sell only products with the updated seal¹.
  • Exception: Stocks with old seals (manufactured/imported before 31 Dec 2025) may be sold until exhausted¹.

For Requalification/Inspection Service Providers:

• Affirm New Seals:
  • Apply the 30 mm × 40 mm seal to requalified/inspected cylinders¹.
• Register Seal Usage:
  • Log each seal in the "Inmetro na Palma da Mão" app starting 1 November 2026¹.

4. Enforcement and Penalties

• Non-Compliance Risks:
  • Denial of future seal acquisition authorizations for failure to register seal usage¹.
  • Administrative sanctions (unspecified in the sources)¹.
• Reporting:
  • Questions or complaints may be directed to selos.dconf@inmetro.gov.br².

Summary Answer

Brazil’s Portaria Inmetro nº 409/2026 integrates GNV cylinder conformity requirements into the "Inmetro na Palma da Mão" project to combat counterfeiting. Key changes include:

1. New seal specifications (30 mm × 40 mm, affixed to the cylinder dome)^{1, 2}.
2. Mandatory digital registration of seal usage via the app starting 1 November 2026¹.
3. Transition deadlines:
   • Suppliers must use new seals by 31 December 2025¹.
   • Distributors must sell only new-seal products by 30 June 2026¹.
   • Old seals may be commercialized until 31 March 2026 (manufacturers/importers) or until stock exhaustion (distributors)¹.
4. Enforcement: Non-compliance may result in denial of future seal authorizations¹.

All obligations apply to manufacturers, importers, service providers (requalification/inspection), and distributors of GNV cylinders under the amended Portarias Inmetro nº 231/2021, 108/2022, 58/2022, 436/2021, and 133/2022^{1, 2}.

Sources

1. ↩ members.wto.org — modification / 26 03668 00 x https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/BRA/modification/26_03668_00_x.pdf
2. ↩ members.wto.org — modification / 26 03669 00 x https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/BRA/modification/26_03669_00_x.pdf