Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of workers in a variety of industries. In Brazil, it is mandatory to obtain a Certificate of Approval for any product that is intended to be marketed as PPE. The Certificate of Approval ensures that the equipment meets the required safety standards and can be used safely by workers.
Manufacturers and importers of PPE can obtain the necessary Certificates of Approval for their PPE products in compliance with Brazilian regulatory standard NR-06 by following these steps:
1. Request Access to the CAEPI System
The first step to obtain the CA for PPE is to register in the CAEPI system. The CAEPI system is a platform that issues Certificate of Approval for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Manufacturers or importers of PPE can do this by sending an email to [email protected], with the following information:
- User’s CPF and email address
- CNPJ of the company
- Types of PPE for which the Certificate of Approval will be requested
Upon approval, the user will receive login credentials via email, which will grant them access to the CAEPI system.
CPF is the Brazilian individual taxpayer registry.
CNPJ is the Brazilian registry of corporations, partnerships, foundations, investment funds, and other legal entities. It is created and maintained by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal do Brasil, “RFB”). All companies are automatically enrolled in the system upon incorporation.
2. Prepare the Necessary Documents
Before proceeding with the application, make sure that the appropriate documents are based on the type of PPE that is required to get approved. The documents are:
- Certificate of Conformity: This is a document that proves that the PPE meets the standards and regulations of INMETRO. You can get it from a Product Certification Organism that is accredited by INMETRO. You need this document for equipment that is subject to mandatory evaluation within SINMETRO.
- Technical Experimental Report (ReTEx): This is a document that shows the results of the tests performed on the equipment by the Brazilian Army. This document is required for specific PPE types, such as bulletproof vests. It is also required to provide a valid Registration Title (TR) and respective Apostille along with this document.
- Declaration of Responsibility: This is a document that states that you are responsible for the quality and safety of your equipment. This document is required for certain PPE types, like safety socks.
- Test Report or Certificate of Conformity (Issued abroad): This is a document that verifies that the equipment has passed the tests or meets the requirements of a foreign country. This document is required for equipment listed in Portaria/MTP n° 672, 2021. It also needs to be translated into Portuguese.
- Local Laboratory Test Report: This is a document that confirms that the equipment has been tested by a laboratory that is accredited by INMETRO. It is required for all other PPEs not covered by the above documents.
Step 3: Submit the Application
Once the documentation is prepared, access the CAEPI system and fill in the required information on the cover sheet, providing a detailed description of the PPE. Then, submit the relevant documents according to the type of PPE.
Step 4: Await the Evaluation
Once you have submitted your application, the approval process may take up to 60 business days for evaluation. The authority will examine the documents and make a decision to either approve or reject the application.
Step 5: Track the Application
The request will be approved or rejected after the documentation is analyzed. If approved, the Certificate of Approval will be made available for consultation on a website. This means that the Certificate of Approval will be published online and can be viewed by anyone. If rejected, a letter will be sent to the company requesting more information or corrections. The rejection will be communicated formally via letter to the email address provided in the request.