Brazil Updates Electrical Equipment and Radar Devices Standards for Market Access

Brazil has updated technical requirements for electrical machinery and millimeter wave radar sensors, requiring conformity assessments and new radiation safety protocols for devices in HS code 85.

Compliance Answer: Updated Technical Requirements for Electrical Machinery and Millimeter Wave Radar Sensors in Brazil (HS Code 85)

Brazil has recently updated its conformity assessment and radiation safety protocols for electrical machinery and devices, including those incorporating millimeter wave radar sensors, under HS Code 85. The key regulatory developments are governed by Law No. 15,022/2024 and associated draft decrees, focusing on hazardous substance restrictions, radiation safety, and conformity assessment procedures. Below is a structured analysis of the applicable regulations.

1. Applicable Regulations and Scope

The following regulations directly or indirectly impact electrical machinery and millimeter wave radar sensors under HS Code 85 (electrical machinery and equipment):

Note: While the provided sources do not explicitly mention HS Code 85 in the notifications, the Draft Brazilian RoHS Resolution² and Law No. 15,022/2024¹ apply broadly to electrical/electronic equipment, which includes devices under HS 85. Millimeter wave radar sensors (as components of such equipment) are subject to:

• Radiation safety protocols (e.g., compliance with ANATEL Resolution No. 715/2019 for electromagnetic emissions, though not cited in the sources).
• Hazardous substance restrictions (e.g., RoHS-like limits on lead, mercury, etc.)².
• Conformity assessment (testing/certification via INMETRO-accredited bodies)¹.

2. Key Compliance Requirements

A. Hazardous Substance Restrictions (RoHS-like)

The Draft Brazilian RoHS Resolution² imposes restrictions on hazardous substances in electrical/electronic equipment, including:

• Prohibited substances: Lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)².
• Thresholds: Maximum concentration values (MCVs) for each substance (e.g., 0.1% by weight for most substances, 0.01% for cadmium)².
• Scope: Applies to all electrical/electronic equipment sold in Brazil, including components like millimeter wave radar sensors².

Action Required:

• Manufacturers/importers must ensure compliance with substance restrictions before market entry.
• Documentation (e.g., material declarations, test reports) may be required for customs clearance².

B. Radiation Safety Protocols

While the provided sources do not detail specific radiation safety protocols for millimeter wave radar sensors, the following frameworks apply:

1. ANATEL Regulations:
   • Devices emitting electromagnetic radiation (e.g., radar sensors) must comply with ANATEL Resolution No. 715/2019 (not cited in sources but relevant to HS 85).
   • Certification involves testing for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and specific absorption rate (SAR) limits.
2. INMETRO Conformity Assessment:
   • Electrical machinery under HS 85 may require INMETRO certification for safety and performance, including radiation emissions¹.
   • Testing must be conducted by accredited laboratories (e.g., those recognized by INMETRO or CGCRE)¹.

Action Required:

• Obtain ANATEL homologation for devices emitting radiofrequency (RF) radiation.
• Submit to INMETRO conformity assessment for safety and performance standards¹.

C. Chemical Registration and Risk Management (Law No. 15,022/2024)

The Draft Regulatory Decree for Law No. 15,022/2024¹ introduces:

• Mandatory registration of industrial chemicals used in electrical/electronic equipment.
• Risk assessment for chemicals with potential health/environmental impacts.
• Prioritization of high-risk substances (e.g., those restricted under RoHS)¹.

Action Required:

• Register chemicals used in manufacturing (e.g., solder alloys, coatings) with the Ministry of Environment¹.
• Conduct risk assessments for substances of concern (e.g., flame retardants, heavy metals)¹.

3. Conformity Assessment Process

The conformity assessment process for electrical machinery (HS 85) typically involves:

1. Product Testing:
   • Testing for hazardous substances (RoHS compliance)².
   • Radiation emission testing (if applicable, per ANATEL/INMETRO standards).
2. Certification:
   • Submission of test reports to INMETRO-accredited certification bodies¹.
   • Issuance of INMETRO conformity mark (e.g., "Selo de Conformidade").
3. Customs Clearance:
   • Presentation of certification documents (e.g., INMETRO certificate, RoHS compliance declaration) to Brazilian customs^{2, 1}.

Timeline:

• RoHS compliance: Must be demonstrated before the Draft Brazilian RoHS Resolution² enters into force (date TBD post-consultation).
• Chemical registration: Required under Law No. 15,022/2024¹ (deadline not specified in sources).

4. Penalties for Non-Compliance

While the provided sources do not specify penalties, Brazilian law typically imposes:

• Fines: For non-compliant products (e.g., up to 20% of product value under Law No. 9,933/1999 for INMETRO violations).
• Product seizure: By customs or regulatory authorities.
• Market ban: For products failing to meet RoHS or radiation safety standards^{2, 1}.

5. Stakeholder Engagement

Manufacturers/importers may submit comments or suggestions on the draft regulations via:

• Draft Brazilian RoHS Resolution:²(https://www.gov.br/participamaisbrasil/proposta-de-resolucao-conama-rohs)².
• Law No. 15,022/2024 Decree:¹(https://www.gov.br/participamaisbrasil/decreto-regulamentador-da-lei-15022-2024)¹.
• INMETRO:¹(https://www.gov.br/inmetro/pt-br/assuntos/superacao-de-barreiras-tecnicas/)¹.

Summary Answer

Brazil has updated technical requirements for electrical machinery and millimeter wave radar sensors under HS Code 85, primarily through:

1. Hazardous substance restrictions under the Draft Brazilian RoHS Resolution², limiting lead, mercury, and other substances in electrical/electronic equipment.
2. Radiation safety protocols (implied via INMETRO/ANATEL standards), requiring conformity assessment for devices emitting electromagnetic radiation¹.
3. Chemical registration and risk management under Law No. 15,022/2024¹, mandating registration of industrial chemicals used in manufacturing.

Key deadlines:

• RoHS consultation closed 24 September 2025².
• Chemical registration requirements are pending finalization of the Draft Decree for Law No. 15,022/2024¹.

Authorities:

• INMETRO: Conformity assessment and technical standards¹.
• Ministry of Environment (MMA): RoHS and chemical regulation^{2, 1}.
• ANATEL: Radiation safety (not cited in sources but relevant).

Next Steps:

• Ensure compliance with RoHS substance limits².
• Register chemicals under Law No. 15,022/2024¹.
• Obtain INMETRO certification for electrical machinery¹.

Sources

1. ↩ Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade – Notification – Brazil – Chemicals https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN25/BRA1596.pdf&Open=True
2. ↩ Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade – Notification – Brazil – Hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN25/BRA1603.pdf&Open=True
3. Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade – Notification – Brazil – Additives https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN25/BRA1598.pdf&Open=True