Brazil INMETRO Toys Certification

INMETRO toys certification is the mandatory conformity assessment system required for toys sold in Brazil. Any toy intended for children under 14 years of age must comply with Brazilian safety regulations and be certified by an INMETRO-accredited body before it can be legally imported, distributed, or sold within the country.

Brazil operates a structured regulatory model for children’s products. Toys fall under compulsory certification according to Portaria Inmetro No. 302/2021 and related ordinances. Technical requirements are primarily based on ABNT NBR NM 300, the Brazilian standard aligned with ISO 8124 and adapted for national enforcement.

Without valid INMETRO certification, product registration in the official INMETRO system, and proper conformity marking displaying the required identification numbers, toys cannot legally clear Brazilian customs. Retailers are prohibited from selling non-certified products, and enforcement authorities actively conduct inspections. For manufacturers and importers targeting the Brazilian market, compliance must be integrated into product development and export planning from the outset.

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Regulatory Framework Behind INMETRO Toys Certification

Brazil’s toy safety regulatory system is overseen by:

• INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia)
• Accredited Certification Bodies known as OCPs (Organismos de Certificação de Produtos)
• Accredited testing laboratories
• Customs authorities and market surveillance agencies

INMETRO establishes the regulatory requirements and supervises the conformity assessment framework. Certification is issued by an accredited OCP, and testing must be conducted by laboratories recognized within Brazil’s accreditation system.

The legal basis for toy certification includes:

• Portaria Inmetro No. 302/2021
• ABNT NBR NM 300 series standards
• Brazilian consumer protection legislation applicable to product safety

Certification is compulsory. There is no voluntary route for toys intended for children.

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Which Products Require INMETRO Toys Certification?

The regulatory definition of a toy in Brazil is broad. A product qualifies as a toy if it is designed or clearly intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

Common product categories requiring INMETRO toys certification include:

• Plush and stuffed toys
• Dolls and action figures
• Building blocks and construction sets
• Toy vehicles
• Wooden toys
• Electronic toys with lights or sound
• Art kits and modeling compounds
• Science and chemistry sets
• Costumes marketed for children
• Promotional toys distributed with consumer goods

If a product is clearly intended for play, certification is generally required regardless of marketing positioning.

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Technical Requirements Under ABNT NBR NM 300

The core safety requirements for INMETRO toys certification are derived from ABNT NBR NM 300, which is divided into multiple parts. The most commonly applied sections include mechanical safety, flammability, chemical migration, and electrical safety where applicable.

Mechanical and Physical Safety

ABNT NBR NM 300-1 addresses mechanical and physical properties. Testing evaluates hazards arising from foreseeable use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.

Key assessments include:

• Small parts testing for choking hazards
• Sharp edges and sharp points
• Drop tests and impact resistance
• Tension and torque testing
• Compression testing
• Seam strength testing for plush toys
• Battery compartment security

Products intended for children under three years receive stricter scrutiny due to mouthing behavior and ingestion risk.

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Flammability Requirements

ABNT NBR NM 300-2 addresses flammability risks. Textile-based toys, plush materials, and costumes must meet defined flame propagation limits.

Materials are evaluated to ensure controlled flame spread characteristics under test conditions. Independent laboratory verification is required for certification.

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Chemical Safety and Migration of Elements

ABNT NBR NM 300-3 regulates the migration of certain elements from toy materials, including heavy metals such as:

• Lead
• Cadmium
• Mercury
• Chromium
• Arsenic
• Selenium

Testing simulates potential exposure through ingestion or prolonged contact.

Additional substance restrictions may apply depending on product materials and applicable Brazilian regulations. Manufacturers should ensure raw material control and traceability to support compliance.

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Electrical Safety for Electronic Toys

For battery-operated or electrically powered toys, compliance must also include ABNT NBR NM 300-6, which addresses electrical properties.

This includes evaluation of:

• Insulation integrity
• Protection against overheating
• Short-circuit resistance
• Accessibility of conductive parts
• Battery compartment design

Electronic toys tested only under mechanical and chemical sections will not meet full regulatory requirements.

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INMETRO Toys Certification Process

Obtaining INMETRO toys certification follows a structured conformity assessment pathway.

• Step 1: Submit Application and Technical Documents. The Brazilian importer submits the application and required technical documentation to an accredited OCP.
  
• Step 2: OCP Document Review and Quotation. The OCP reviews the documents, determines the applicable certification model and testing scope, and issues a quotation.
  
• Step 3: Contract Signing and Payment. After quotation approval, the certification agreement is signed and payment is arranged.
  
• Step 4: Factory Audit (If Required). For most continuous production toys under the applicable certification model, the OCP conducts a factory audit to verify production controls and traceability systems.
  
• Step 5: Sample Collection and Laboratory Testing. Product samples are collected and tested according to applicable sections of ABNT NBR NM 300.
  
• Step 6: OCP Evaluation and Certification Approval. The OCP evaluates the laboratory results and audit findings before granting certification approval.
  
• Step 7: Certificate Issuance. The official INMETRO Certificate of Conformity is issued in the name of the Brazilian importer.
  
• Step 8: Product Registration in INMETRO System. After certification, the importer must register the product in INMETRO’s official registration system. A unique Registration Number is assigned upon approval.
  
• Step 9: INMETRO Marking Authorization. The INMETRO conformity seal must be displayed together with the OCP identification number and the assigned Registration Number in accordance with marking rules.

Products bearing the seal without proper registration are considered non-compliant and may be seized by customs authorities.

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Mandatory Portuguese Labeling Requirements

All labeling, safety warnings, instructions, and age classifications must be provided in Portuguese.

This includes:

• Age grading
• Safety and caution statements
• Instruction manuals
• Importer identification

A toy that is certified but labeled only in a foreign language cannot be legally sold in Brazil.

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Successful entry into the Brazilian toy market requires structured regulatory execution. Certification, product registration, proper marking, laboratory testing, and Portuguese labeling must all be completed before importation. Initiating the INMETRO toys certification process early in product development reduces compliance risk and prevents customs delays.