ANATEL Requirements – Overview

• Radio and telecom products covered by ANATEL rules require homologation in Brazil

• The conformity assessment route depends on the product type

• The designated certification body (OCD) confirms the testing and laboratory requirements; foreign manufacturers need a responsible applicant in Brazil

• Certified products are subject to market surveillance and must display the ANATEL ID

• Periodic maintenance follows the requirements for the specific product type

ANATEL (Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações) is Brazil’s independent regulatory authority for telecommunications. Established in 1997, the agency is responsible for:

• Spectrum allocation and management

• Issuing technical regulations and certification procedures

• Enforcing quality and safety standards for telecom products

Legal Framework

Product certification in Brazil is based on:

• Brazilian Telecommunications Law (Lei Geral de Telecomunicações – LGT)

• ANATEL Resolution No. 715/2019, which governs conformity assessment and certification procedures

• Normative Acts defining technical requirements for specific product types (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE, IoT)

Role of Designated Certification Bodies (OCD)

For products requiring certification, conformity assessment is carried out by Organismos de Certificação Designados (OCDs), certification bodies designated by ANATEL. Their responsibilities include:

• Reviewing technical documentation

• Coordinating testing with suitable laboratories under ANATEL’s rules

• Issuing conformity certificates based on evaluation results

The OCD issues the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for the applicable certification model. ANATEL then grants homologation. Other product types may follow a declaration-of-conformity procedure.

Radio and telecommunications products within ANATEL’s regulatory scope require homologation before commercial import, sale or use in Brazil.

The requirements apply to both locally manufactured and imported products.

Product Scope

Typical products requiring approval include:

• Consumer electronics with integrated wireless functionality (e.g., smartphones, smart speakers, Wi-Fi routers)

• Industrial and M2M modules operating in license-free bands (e.g., LoRaWAN)

• OEM wireless modules used in automotive or embedded systems

Imports for testing or demonstration follow dedicated procedures. Products for own use may qualify for a declaration-of-conformity route. Confirm the applicable procedure before import.

Certification Objectives

The ANATEL approval process ensures compliance with national standards for:

• Radio spectrum efficiency and frequency usage

• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

• Electrical safety

• Consumer protection and product traceability

Marking and Registration

Approved products must bear the required ANATEL identification. New commercial homologation applications are submitted through CERTIFICA.

The following steps describe the commercial certification route for radio products requiring an OCD-issued Certificate of Conformity. The OCD coordinates the technical assessment; the applicant or an authorized representative submits the homologation application to ANATEL.

1. Product Review and Preparation

Identify the product type and applicable requirements, then select an OCD with the appropriate scope. Confirm the responsible applicant in Brazil and prepare the technical documentation.

2. Involvement of an OCD

The OCD reviews the product information and defines the test plan. Typical documents include:

• Manufacturer and Brazilian applicant details

• Product specifications and user manuals

• Internal and external product photos

• Additional technical documentation requested by the OCD

The OCD checks whether existing test reports meet ANATEL’s technical and laboratory requirements. Additional testing may be needed.

3. Laboratory Testing

The applicant selects a laboratory under ANATEL’s rules in coordination with the OCD. The test scope depends on the product and may include:

• Radio frequency and spectrum usage (e.g., output power, bandwidth)

• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

• Electrical safety and surge resistance

• Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), if applicable

The OCD confirms the required sample quantity and test configurations for the product.

4. Certificate Issuance

The OCD evaluates the test results and supporting documentation, then issues the Certificate of Conformity. The applicable model may also include:

• Periodic product assessments

• Factory management assessment

5. ANATEL Homologation

The applicant or an authorized representative submits the homologation application through CERTIFICA, referencing the certificate registered by the OCD. ANATEL reviews the application and, once approved, issues the homologation certificate. The product can then enter the Brazilian market, subject to the applicable import and marking requirements.

For commercial certification, prepare technical documents for the OCD and administrative records for ANATEL. A Brazilian company applicant provides its CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica).

Typical documentation for the OCD includes:

• Company and applicant information

  • Legal company documents

  • Brazilian applicant details, including CNPJ

• Product documentation

  • Technical specifications

  • Internal and external photographs

  • User manuals and service information

  • Block diagrams and label artwork, as applicable

• Test and factory records

  • Sample units as defined by the OCD

  • Existing test reports for OCD review against ANATEL requirements

  • Factory management records required by the assessment model

The OCD confirms the document languages and translations required. Some documents, such as foreign-language commercial representation letters, require a sworn Portuguese translation.

Submission to ANATEL (Homologation)

The applicant or an authorized representative submits the application through CERTIFICA, using the OCD-registered certificate reference. Supporting documents include:

• Reference to the OCD-registered Certificate of Conformity

• Company registration and applicant details (including CNPJ)

• Commercial representation letter or other required authorization

• Warranty and technical assistance information, where applicable

• Label artwork and product identification photos

• Product manual or technical description, as applicable

• Completed homologation application in CERTIFICA

ANATEL issues the homologation certificate free of charge. Testing, OCD services and any required translations have separate project costs.

After homologation, the holder remains responsible for product conformity, correct marking and required certificate maintenance. Manufacturers and importers must ensure that marketed units match the approved configuration.

Product Marking

Products must carry ANATEL identification in the required format. Depending on the product, marking options include:

• Durable physical marking on a non-removable part, accessible without tools

• Electronic labeling with the required user access and packaging information

The marking must match the homologation documentation. Review proposed changes with the OCD.

Market Surveillance

ANATEL may inspect products and records to verify continuing conformity. Checks may include:

• Functional testing of retail samples

• Verification of label placement and product markings

• Review of user documentation and production consistency

If non-conformities are detected, possible consequences include:

• Suspension or revocation of homologation

• Corrective action or product recall, where required

• Other sanctions under the applicable enforcement rules

The homologation holder must cooperate with ANATEL’s checks and keep the certified product and documentation up to date.