SG 118/26
Brazil restricts ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
On July 8, 2026, Brazil's National Environmental Council (CONAMA) published Resolution No. 516/2026, establishing the country's first national restriction on hazardous substances in EEE sold within its territory. The resolution enters into force on the date of publication and introduces a framework broadly comparable to the EU RoHS Directive.
The new rules apply nationwide and interact with existing sector-specific limits, with the more restrictive standard prevailing in each case.
What substances are restricted?
The restriction covers ten substances by weight in each homogeneous material:
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Hexavalent chromium
- Lead
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
The maximum permitted concentration is 0.1% for all listed substances except cadmium, which is capped at 0.01%.
Which products are covered?
The resolution applies to EEE placed on the Brazilian market, including:
- Household appliances
- IT and telecommunications equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Consumer electronics
- Toys
- Electrical and electronic medical devices
- In-vitro diagnostic instruments
- Monitoring and control instruments
- Cables and wires
- Spare parts
Excluded categories include:
- Defense and security equipment
- Large fixed industrial installations
- Means of transport
- Implantable medical devices
- Batteries
- Installed photovoltaic systems
Consumers must be notified of corrective actions through public announcements when a product recall is required. The costs of these actions must be borne by the manufacturer or importer.
When do the requirements apply?
Compliance deadlines vary by substance:
| Substance | Compliance deadline |
| PBB and PBDE | From July 8, 2026 |
| Mercury | Within 180 days |
| Cadmium, hexavalent chromium and lead | Three years after publication |
| DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP | Four years after publication |
Temporary exemptions may be granted where elimination is technically or scientifically unfeasible, no reliable substitute exists or substitution would create a greater net environmental or safety impact.
What are the registration and conformity requirements?
The resolution establishes a National Registry of Electrical and Electronic Equipment with Restrictions of Hazardous Substances.
Manufacturers and importers must register each product, model or product family before manufacture or import. They must also issue an individualized self-declaration of conformity confirming compliance with the substance restrictions or an applicable exemption.
Supporting technical documentation must be kept in Portuguese for five years from the date the EEE is discontinued on the market.
Distributors and traders must require the self-declaration from manufacturers and importers before marketing a product and must stop sales if informed of non-compliance.
How is compliance enforced?
The federal environmental enforcement authority may request product samples and order confirmation testing at laboratories accredited under ILAC or IAAC agreements.
Non-compliant products may be recalled and responsible parties bear the costs of testing, seizure and disposal.
We support manufacturers, importers and brands in demonstrating compliance with Resolution No. 516/2026 through testing in accordance with IEC 62321 (XRF screening and confirmatory GC-MS/ICP analysis), factory assessment and RoHS certification services.
With 30 accredited RoHS labs worldwide, we are your ideal compliance partner. Visit our website or contact us to learn more. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
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