Brazil - Updated Inmetro Alternative Conformity Assessment Due to COVID-19 Epidemic

​The Inmetro Decree 111/2020 cancels and replace the Inmetro Decree 79/2020 with alternatives to comply with the Factory Audit and Tests performed in new, maintenance or recertification projects required by Inmetro product certification regulations.

In line with the guidelines of the International Acreditation Forum (IAF), Inmetro adopted alternatives procedures for assessing the conformity of products manufactured by suppliers located in countries affected by the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19).

Between January 1st 2020 to June 30th 2020 the accredited Product Certification Bodies (OCPs) are expected to carry out a Risk Analysis based on the records of the manufacturer's latest Internal Audits (ISO 9001 clause 9.2), Management Review (clause 9.3) and the customer complaints handling (done at Brazilian Legal Representative).

The Risk Analysis performed by the OCPs will decide if the Factory Audit, Customer Complaint Service Verification and Tests can be postponed for a maximum period of 6 (six) months. If the postponement is not possible, alternative procedures such as remote audits and alternative test acceptance criteria are allowed.

For Tests it is allowed the use of 1st party (manufacturer) or 3rd party (independent) accredited laboratories in Brazil or international laboratories accredited by ILAC member accreditation bodies, regardless of what is written in the specific product certification Inmetro Decrees about test report acceptance criteria.