Brazil is one of Latin America’s largest and most regulated markets for telecommunication and electronic devices. Manufacturers seeking entry must comply with strict technical, safety, and quality standards set by government regulatory bodies. The main certification authority for telecommunication devices in Brazil is ANATEL (National Telecommunications Agency). ANATEL certification is mandatory for telecommunications and wireless devices.
What is ANATEL?
ANATEL is Brazil’s regulatory agency for telecommunications. It establishes the technical standards that telecom devices must meet before being marketed or sold in Brazil. All imported and domestically manufactured telecom products must be certified by a Designated Certification Body (OCD) and approved by ANATEL before being distributed.
Types of Telecom Equipment Requiring Mandatory Certification
ANATEL classifies telecommunication equipment into three categories, each requiring mandatory certification before entering the Brazilian market:
- Type I: Terminal equipment that connects to the fixed switched telephone service (FSTS) network, including:
- Devices linking private telecom networks to the FSTS network.
- Equipment connecting to the FSTS network for value-added services.
- Type II: Wireless equipment that does not fall under Type I, such as:
- Low-power devices.
- Unlicensed devices.
- Antennas.
- Type III: Any other telecom equipment not covered by Type I or II but subject to ANATEL regulations.
ANATEL Certification Requirements
To comply with Brazilian regulations (Federal Law 9472/97), telecommunications products must have a Certificate of Conformity issued by a Designated Certification Body (OCD) and subsequently approved (homologated) by ANATEL. The following requirements apply to all products seeking certification:
- Mandatory Certification: All Telecommunications products must obtain ANATEL certification
- Legal Representation in Brazil: Certificate holders must be legally recognized in Brazil.
- Certificate Validity:
- Type I certificates remain valid until canceled.
- Type II and III certificates must be renewed every two years.
- Language Requirements:
- For devices destined for consumers, user manuals, installation guides, and warning labels must be in Portuguese. Professional devices can present the manual in English and only include the interference statement in Portuguese.
- Other documents can be in English.
ANATEL Certification Process
Step 1: Assigning a Designated Certification Body (OCD)
A Designated Certification Body (OCD) is selected by your GMA partner depending on the scope of the project and lead time.
Step 2: Product Testing by an Accredited Laboratory
Products must undergo safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and performance tests at an accredited laboratory. Testing verifies electrical and electromagnetic resistance, product durability and performance and user safety/ interference prevention.
Step 3: Certification Issuance by the OCD
The OCD reviews the test results and issues a Certificate of Conformity under one of three certification schemes and registers the product in ANATEL’s Certification and Homologation System (SCH)
- Certification based on Type Testing (1a certification scheme) – Testing-based certification without periodic evaluations.
- Certification based on Type Testing with Periodic Product Evaluation (Type 4 certification scheme) – Certification with periodic product reviews to ensure continued compliance.
- Certification based on Type Testing with Periodic Evaluation of the Product and the Factory Management System (Type 5 certification scheme) – Includes product reviews and a factory audit.
Step 4: ANATEL Homologation Approval
The Homologation Certificate is issued once ANATEL reviews and approves the certification.
Step 5: ANATEL Labeling & Market Compliance
Once an ANATEL-certified product is approved, it must be labeled according to ANATEL’s regulations. The label serves as proof of compliance and must be legible, indelible, and remain intact throughout the product’s lifecycle. It cannot be removed under normal use conditions.
ANATEL Label Requirements
Acceptable Labeling Formats
Once certified, the product must be labeled with the ANATEL logo, Certification number (barcode), manufacturer’s name, model, and serial number.
There are several approved methods to affix the ANATEL mark on a product:
- ANATEL Seal – The ANATEL logo accompanied by the numerical approval code.
- Text-Based Identification – The text “ANATEL” followed by the approval code formatted as “ANATEL HHHHH-AA-FFFFF” or “ANATEL: HHHHH-AA-FFFFF”.
- Electronic Identification (E-labeling) – Digital display of certification for devices with integrated electronic screens.
- QR Code – A scannable QR code that links to the product’s certification details.
ANATEL Seal Design & Numbering Format
The ANATEL logo must adhere to the following design specifications:
- Minimum height: 4 mm.
- Minimum text size: 1 mm.
The approval code on the ANATEL label follows a structured numbering format:
- “HHHHH” – A 5-digit sequential number identifying the product’s approval.
- “AA” – A 2-digit year code representing the approval year.
- “FFFFF” – A 5-character code identifying the manufacturer.
E-Labeling Requirements
Electronic labels (e-labels) may be used for devices with an integrated electronic screen or products that function alongside a device with a display screen.
- The label must be accessible without specific codes, passwords, or permissions.
- The label must not require additional plug-ins or external accessories to be viewed.
- It must be reachable within three steps from the device’s main menu.
- Instructions for accessing the label must be included in the user manual and purchase documentation.
- The electronic identification must be pre-installed at the factory and cannot be altered or removed.
- The certification information must remain recorded even after a factory reset.
- A physical label must still be included in the product manual or packaging.
For bulk-imported products that are not individually packaged, a temporary adhesive label on the product or a permanent label on the transport packaging is permitted. This label must be durable and withstand normal handling conditions.
QR Code Labeling Requirements
QR codes may also be used as a digital certification method. The same requirements for e-labeling apply, ensuring:
- Easy access without passwords or additional software.
- Clear visibility within three steps from the device’s main menu.
- Instructions for QR code access are provided at the time of purchase.
- A backup physical label remains in the manual or packaging.
Difference between OCD CoC and ANATEL Homologation Certificates
The OCD is a private Certification Body that has been accredited to test and determine product compliance to Brazil’s technical regulations. The OCD tests the product and reviews the technical documentation and – if everything is compliant – issues the CoC (Certificate of Conformity) which is an essential requirement to submit a Homologation request to ANATEL.
The CoC has a validity of 2 or 3 years depending on the scheme and must be renewed within 90 days of expiration to ensure the ANATEL Homologation certificate remains valid.
The CoC alone is not sufficient to sell, distribute or use a product in the country. The device must receive the ANATEL Homologation as well, and it must be labeled with the ANATEL Homologation number.
ANATEL is the government Telecommunications Authority, they are the last word on product compliance. Even when a product has received a CoC from an OCD, ANATEL may not issue a final Homologation certificate if there is something in the documentation they consider incompliant.
After the testing on a product is done and the CoC is issued, the CoC and reports are presented to ANATEL with other required documents (like photos, manual and declaration letters). ANATEL reviews the application documents and – if found in compliance – issues the ANATEL Homologation certificate. This certificate has indefinite validity, but it is tied to the validity of the CoC. If the CoC is not renewed accordingly, the ANATEL certificate is suspended or revoked.
How to Renew Your Product Certifications
As mentioned before, Brazil issues 2 separate certificates (OCD CoC and Anatel CoH), but they are both dependent on the OCD CoC for renewal.
Renewal should be started 3 months prior to the expiration of the OCD CoC. Depending on the product, a new sample may be required, and new photos of the device (external and external) need to be provided, with an actual photo of the label showing the ANATEL mark.
Renewals are a faster process than original certification and may result in only updating the OCD CoC (Original ANATEL CoH certificate remains unchanged).
If the renewal is done on time, the ANATEL ID remains the same. If the certificate expires, ANATEL only provides a grace period of 180 days to renew if all necessary documentation and test reports were submitted before the six-month deadline. After this grace period is over, the certificate cannot be renewed and the ANATEL ID becomes inactive and cannot be used any longer. Devices that are not renewed on time will need to start a new certification process from scratch.
Looking to Certify Your Product in Brazil?
Navigating Brazil’s certification landscape can be a complex and time-consuming process. With strict regulatory frameworks, detailed compliance requirements, and mandatory testing, obtaining certifications from ANATEL requires careful planning and expertise in Brazilian regulations.
At Global Validity, we specialize in simplifying the certification process and ensuring a transparent, efficient market entry for manufacturers. Our team provides end-to-end support, handling regulatory approvals, coordinating with accredited certification bodies and testing laboratories, managing documentation, and guiding you through labeling and post-certification compliance. With our expertise and industry connections, manufacturers can avoid regulatory pitfalls, reduce time to market, and ensure full compliance with Brazilian standards.
