Brazil is the largest digital market in Latin America. The country has more than 117 million internet users, with 5G coverage now spreading across the nation. As a result, Brazil’s telecommunications market is projected to reach USD 43.3 billion by 2029.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to market your telecommunications products there. Therefore, the first thing you need to know to enter this market is RF certification in Brazil.
This certification is known as ANATEL certification. Holding this certificate means your telecommunications products have been deemed safe and compliant with applicable regulations. By thoroughly understanding this certification process, you’ll find it easier to market your telecommunications products in this country.
What is RF Certification in Brazil?
RF certification in Brazil is regulated by the Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL). This is Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency, which operates independently of the government.
Although it is independent, this agency is authorized to grant licenses, regulate, and oversee Brazil's telecommunications sector. Therefore, any telecommunications device intended for sale and use in Brazil must first obtain an ANATEL certificate.
This certification serves as proof that the telecommunications device poses no risk when used and does not interfere with the operation of other devices when used simultaneously. Without an ANATEL certificate, you cannot legally access the market.
Products Requiring Certification
Brazil has the broadest product coverage—at least among the countries Narmady Company currently serves.
Examples of covered products include coaxial cables, fiber optic equipment, broadcasting transmitters, energy storage systems, connectors, switching centers, and data communication equipment. Essentially, ANATEL certification is required for any product with telecommunications features or radio frequency functions.
Who Can Apply for Certification?
ANATEL does not allow foreign companies to submit applications directly. Applicants for RF certification in Brazil must be registered local companies.
This local company can be a local manufacturer, importer, or authorized local representative. They will serve as the local partner designated by the foreign company to act as the certificate holder.
Therefore, if you do not yet have a local representative in Brazil, you must select a registered local company. Partnering with Dimulti can help you resolve this issue.
ANATEL Certification Process
So far, RF certification in Brazil has been arguably the most complex process we have ever handled. Unlike other countries, which only require either local testing or document evaluation,
Brazil combines these two processes to be carried out simultaneously. Some testing must be conducted locally at an ANATEL-accredited laboratory, while test results from international laboratories must also be submitted.
The determination of which tests must be conducted locally and which can be submitted via test reports alone will depend on the product and the laboratory’s analysis.
Document requirements
The success of the approval process depends not only on the local tests to be conducted but also on the completeness and compliance of the documentation.
Document requirements must be prepared from the outset to ensure that the subsequent process runs smoothly. The following is a list of required documents:
- Product technical documentation
- Test reports
- Portuguese-language user manual
- Labels
- Declaration of conformity
- Power supply information
- Internal and external photos
- Schematics and diagrams
- Valid ISO 9001 certificate from the manufacturing site — translated into Portuguese if not already in that language
Local testing
The next equally important step is local testing. At this stage, you will be asked to send samples directly to an ANATEL-accredited laboratory in Brazil.
The device’s RF features and the required testing methods will determine how many samples need to be sent. This will also depend on each laboratory, as they may have different policies.
Our team will typically communicate these details to the laboratory to confirm the sample requirements. We will also conduct preliminary testing on the samples you send before they are sent to the official lab. This ensures that the device meets the applicable testing parameters in Brazil.
Lead Time and Certificate Validity
Once the device passes the local testing process and document evaluation, your ANATEL certificate will be issued. The entire process requires a lead time of approximately eight to twelve weeks.
The lead time for RF certification in Brazil is indeed quite long compared to most other countries. However, this may reflect the thoroughness of ANATEL’s evaluation process.
The validity period of ANATEL certificates depends on the type of product. Products for general use are valid for two years. On the other hand, products used for infrastructure and professional applications are valid for three years.
Label Requirements
ANATEL requires labeling for every certified product. This label consists of several components.
The three core components of the label are the ANATEL logo, the barcode, and the Approval ID. In addition, the label must include several additional components:
- A unique 12-digit Approval Code
- Model name
- Brand
- Country of origin
The ANATEL logo may be printed in either color or black and white. However, using a black-and-white label requires prior authorization from ANATEL. Once the logo is affixed, your product is ready to reach consumers.