The Secretariat of Green Economy, Decarbonization and Bioindustry of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (SEV/MDIC) has expanded the scope of the Selo Verde Brasil (Brazil Green Seal) national eco-label program. On June 3, 2026, the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) published ABNT NBR 17298:2026, establishing environmental, social, economic, and governance (ESG) criteria for laminated aluminum sheets and their alloys.
This standard represents the fourth sector-specific regulation integrated into the Selo Verde program since January 2026. It targets the voluntary sustainability classification and certification of aluminum sheets, providing a standardized framework for companies looking to prove their decarbonization, circular economy, and operational compliance credentials in Brazil and international markets.
Technical Framework of ABNT NBR 17298:2026
The standard was drafted by the Study Commission of Laminated Products (CE-035:000.004), a branch of the Brazilian Aluminum Committee (ABNT/CB-035). The commission included representatives from the domestic aluminum industry, the Brazilian Aluminum Association (Abal), ABNT, and MDIC.
To qualify for the Selo Verde under the new standard, laminated aluminum manufacturers must verify compliance across three main pillars:
1. Decarbonization and Energy Grid Traceability
- Manufacturers must calculate the carbon footprint (greenhouse gas emissions) of their aluminum sheets per metric ton produced, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies conforming to ISO 14040/14044.
- Grid Traceability: Facilities must trace and document their electrical grid inputs, showing preference for renewable energy sources (hydroelectric, solar, wind) to verify low-carbon smelting and laminating processes.
2. Circular Economy and Recycled Content
- The standard establishes minimum thresholds for post-consumer recycled aluminum content.
- Producers must implement strict chain-of-custody tracking to differentiate between pre-consumer scrap (industrial waste) and post-consumer scrap (recycled beverage cans, scrap auto parts).
3. ESG and Operational Governance
- In addition to environmental metrics, the standard audits corporate social responsibility (fair labor practices, workplace safety) and governance structures (anti-corruption policies, supply chain audits).
- Compliance must be verified by independent, third-party certification bodies accredited by Inmetro’s General Coordination of Accreditation (Cgcre).
Hands-On Training and Capacity Building
To assist companies in adapting their operations, MDIC is launching a capacity-building program in partnership with the Brazilian Industrial Development Agency (ABDI) and the National Service for Industrial Training (Senai).
- The Program: A 208-hour training course utilizing a “Hands-On” practical methodology.
- Objective: Senai engineers will work directly with companies to build internal capabilities for sustainability audits, carbon footprint calculations, and supply chain tracking.
Market Implications: Government Procurement and Green Supply Chains
Obtaining the Selo Verde Brasil is expected to become a critical requirement for aluminum suppliers:
- Public Procurement: Federal, state, and municipal agencies are integrating Selo Verde certification as a primary preference criterion in public bidding processes under Brazil’s new Public Procurement Law (Law 14,133/2021).
- Green Supply Chains: Major industrial sectors (automotive, packaging, civil construction) are setting carbon-neutral sourcing targets, making Selo Verde certified aluminum a preferred material.
- International Trade: The standard helps align Brazilian aluminum exports with international green compliance frameworks, such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Regulatory Comparison: Brazil vs. United States and European Union
| Feature | Brazil (Selo Verde / NBR 17298) | United States (C2C / EPA) | European Union (EU Ecolabel / CBAM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Standard | ABNT NBR 17298:2026 | Cradle to Cradle Certified (C2C) / Green Seal | EU Ecolabel / CBAM default emission factors |
| Program Coordinator | SEV/MDIC (Federal Government) | Private non-profits (C2C Product Innovation Institute) | European Commission / National Competent Bodies |
| Certification Type | Voluntary national eco-label | Voluntary multi-attribute standard | Voluntary eco-label & Mandatory carbon border tax (CBAM) |
| Verification Scope | Full Life Cycle ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) | Material health, circularity, clean air, water, social | Environmental footprint, resource efficiency, carbon emissions |
| Procurement Link | Explicit preference in public tenders (Law 14,133/2021) | Federal purchasing guidelines (EPA Recommendations) | Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria |
Operational Compliance Directives
Compliance managers and plant directors in the aluminum sector should implement the following steps:
- Conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Partner with environmental consultancies to draft ISO-compliant LCAs for laminated aluminum sheet lines, identifying carbon hotspots in smelting and lamination.
- Verify Recycled Material Inflows: Standardize incoming scrap sorting protocols. Ensure suppliers provide documentation verifying that scrap originates from post-consumer sources.
- Onboard for Senai Training: Register engineering and compliance teams for the 208-hour MDIC-ABDI-Senai Hands-On training program to establish internal audit capabilities.
- Trace Renewable Energy Purchases: Ensure Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with wind or solar generators include renewable energy certificates (I-RECs) to verify grid decarbonization.