Brazil: New INMETRO Ordinance for low voltage electrical devices.

Brazil published the Inmetro Ordinance No. 497 of 13 December 2021 which consolidates technical regulation for low voltage electrical devices.

The Regulation applies to electrical devices used in electrical installations with voltage up to 1 kV with rated current up to 63A.

Low voltage electrical devices, objects of this Regulation, must be manufactured, imported, distributed and marketed in such a way that they do not pose risks that compromise the safety of the user.

The production chain of low voltage electrical devices is subject to the following obligations and responsibilities:

I – the national manufacturer must manufacture and make available, free of charge or for a fee, low voltage electrical devices in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation;

II – the importer must import and make available, free of charge or for a fee, low voltage electrical devices in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation;

III – the other entities in the production and supply chain of low voltage electrical devices, including trade in physical or virtual establishments, must maintain the integrity of the product, preserving compliance with the requirements of this Regulation.

Low voltage electrical devices must have the respective mandatory information, provided for in the regulation, in Portuguese, in the body of the product.

Along with the new Ordinance, the following complementary documents are adopted:

Mercosur Technical Regulation on Essential Safety Requirements for Low Voltage Electric Products, approved by the Resolution of the Common Market Group – GMC No. 35, of November 28, 2008.