The National Council of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (Conmetro) has officially launched the National Quality Infrastructure Strategy (Estratégia Nacional de Infraestrutura da Qualidade – ENIQ), along with its first Action Plan for the 2025–2026 biennium.
Conmetro, which is chaired by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC) and brings together ten federal ministries alongside civil society representatives, designed the ENIQ to serve as a 10-year guiding framework. The strategy’s long-term goal is to achieve international recognition for Brazil’s Quality Infrastructure (IQ) by 2034.
The National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro), which serves as Conmetro’s executive secretariat, will play a central role in executing the strategy. Inmetro is directly involved in 16 of the 39 deliverables outlined in the 2025–2026 Action Plan, holding exclusive responsibility for five key initiatives. The ENIQ is closely aligned with the federal government’s Nova Indústria Brasil (NIB) industrial policy, aiming to reduce regulatory red tape, foster innovation, and eliminate technical barriers to trade.
The Core Pillars of the ENIQ Action Plan
Quality Infrastructure encompasses the complete, integrated network of metrology, standardization, testing, auditing, and conformity assessment systems that guarantee product safety and market fairness.
Under the 2025–2026 Action Plan, Inmetro will lead five major programs:
1. Regional Quality Infrastructure Development Program (ProdIQ)
This program seeks to decentralize metrological and standardization capabilities across Brazil’s regions. By establishing regional centers of excellence and training local inspectors, Inmetro aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in meeting federal and international export quality standards.
2. Digitalization of Product Certification (Selo Digital)
Inmetro will accelerate the transition from physical labels to secure digital seals (Selo Digital).
- Anti-Counterfeiting: The digital seal will utilize encrypted QR codes or NFC technology, allowing distributors, retailers, and end-users to verify product certification in real-time.
- Regulatory Streamlining: Importers and local manufacturers will benefit from automated seal allocation systems, reducing licensing wait times.
3. “Inmetro na Palma da Mão” Mobile Integration
Building on the digital seal, Inmetro is deploying a public mobile application. This platform will enable consumer protection agents, customs officers, and the general public to scan product seals on-site, immediately retrieving registration details, technical specifications, and safety recall histories.
4. Modernization of Laboratory Infrastructure (PROlab)
The PROlab program comprises approximately 30 distinct initiatives focused on upgrading Inmetro’s physical laboratories and designated partner facilities. Laboratorial upgrades will prioritize testing capabilities for emerging technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy hardware, and advanced medical devices.
5. Remote Telemetry Inspection for Chronotachographs
Conconformity assessment for heavy transport vehicles will transition to remote digital tracking. Inmetro will expand its remote verification system for chronotachographs (speed and time recorders), utilizing telematics to ensure safety compliance without requiring vehicles to undergo lengthy physical inspections at ports or state borders.
Impact on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
For multinational corporations exporting goods to Brazil, the ENIQ’s alignment with international standards is a significant development. The strategy directs regulators to prioritize the harmonization of Brazilian technical standards (ABNT NBR) with international equivalents (ISO, IEC, ITU).
This harmonization is expected to:
- Minimize double-testing requirements by promoting Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs).
- Streamline the import process within the new DUIMP customs system by automatically recognizing international testing laboratory reports.
Regulatory Comparison: Brazil vs. United States and European Union
The table below contrasts the structure of Brazil’s newly launched ENIQ with the quality infrastructure frameworks of the United States and the European Union.
| Feature | Brazil (ENIQ / Conmetro) | United States (NIST / ANSI) | European Union (NLF / CEN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy Document | Estratégia Nacional de Infraestrutura da Qualidade (ENIQ) | United States Standards Strategy (USSS) | New Legislative Framework (NLF) / Standardisation Strategy |
| Policy Coordinator | Conmetro (Government-led inter-ministerial council) | ANSI (Private-sector-led nonprofit coordinator) | European Commission (Directorate-General for Internal Market) |
| Metrology & Testing | Inmetro (Federal autarchy with regulatory power) | NIST (Federal research laboratory; non-regulatory) | National Metrology Institutes (e.g., PTB in Germany, NPL in UK) |
| Standardization Body | ABNT (Private association designated by government) | Decentralized (ANSI, ASTM, ASME, IEEE, SAE) | Coordinated (CEN, CENELEC, ETSI) |
| Conformity Mark | Inmetro Seal (Digitalization underway) | Various (UL, CSA, ETL) depending on industry and product | CE Mark (Declaration of Conformity database) |
Compliance Directives for Manufacturers and Importers
Corporate regulatory affairs departments and operations managers should implement the following steps:
- Map NIB and MOVER Alignment: Identify if your products fall under the target sectors of the Nova Indústria Brasil or MOVER (green mobility) programs. If so, prepare for upcoming standards revisions regarding energy efficiency, material recycling, and safety.
- Transition to Digital Certification: Coordinate with your accredited certification bodies (OCPs) to transition product labeling structures to support Inmetro’s upcoming Selo Digital requirements, ensuring packaging designs accommodate QR-code positioning.
- Audit Testing Laboratories: Verify that testing laboratories used for your product lines are accredited by Inmetro’s Cgcre or covered under ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) mutual recognition agreements to ensure seamless acceptance under the new ENIQ guidelines.
- Monitor ABNT Revisions: Establish a standard-monitoring protocol to track ABNT adoptions of ISO/IEC updates, preventing compliance gaps in locally manufactured goods.