Inmetro has issued Official Circular Letter No. 5/2026, bringing important definitions and alignments regarding the application of Ordinance No. 145/2022, which addresses the certification of imported lead-acid automotive batteries.
The guidelines were consolidated following a meeting with Product Certification Bodies (OCPs) and aim to ensure greater clarity, consistency, and compliance in certification processes.
Key alignment points
✔ Definition of manufacturer
Inmetro establishes that the manufacturer must be the foreign manufacturer, responsible for all stages of the production process in the country of origin.
✔ Production process abroad
All manufacturing stages — including mandatory markings and certification — must be completed abroad. Batteries must arrive in Brazil already certified and labeled, where applicable.
✔ Importer’s responsibility in Brazil
Within the national territory, the importer may only perform final activities, such as:
Charge verification
Recharging, when necessary
Final product inspection
✔ Quality Management System (QMS) audit
The audit process conducted by the OCP, based on ISO 9001, must also include the importer’s facilities in Brazil, particularly to verify:
- Inspection and test records
- Available infrastructure for recharging
What changes in practice
This alignment reinforces the requirement that compliance must be ensured at the origin, reducing divergent interpretations among process stakeholders and increasing regulatory certainty for the market.
Additionally, it expands responsibility for traceability and control of production stages, requiring greater attention from both manufacturers and importers.
Contact our team to understand the impacts on your product and ensure compliance in the Brazilian market.