INMETRO Certified

INMETRO certification for hazardous areas in Brazil

INMETRO stands for National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology and is a Brazilian agency responsible for implementing and enforcing technical regulations related to product safety, quality, and metrology.

INMETRO was created in 1973 and operates under the Ministry of Economy in Brazil with the main objective of promoting the competitiveness of Brazilian industries by ensuring the safety and quality of products through testing, certification, and inspection. The agency develops technical regulations, known as “regulatory acts,” for a wide range of products, including electrical and electronic equipment, toys, automotive parts, and medical devices.

INMETRO also operates a certification system, known as the “Brazilian Conformity Assessment Program” (Programa de Avaliação da Conformidade – PAC), which requires manufacturers to obtain certification for their products before they can be sold in Brazil. The certification process involves testing and evaluation of the product to ensure compliance with the relevant technical regulations and safety standards.

What is the INMETRO system objective?

The INMETRO system’s objective for hazardous areas is to ensure that the electrical and electronic equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres within Brazil is safe and reliable. This is achieved through the implementation of technical regulations, the development of certification and inspection programs, and the promotion of metrology and quality control. By ensuring compliance with relevant safety standards and technical regulations, INMETRO aims to reduce the risk of accidents and incidents in hazardous areas and promote the safety of workers and assets.

Ensure that intrinsically safe mobile devices in hazardous areas meet relevant technical regulations and safety standards.

Reduce the risk of accidents and incidents in hazardous areas by promoting the use of safe and reliable electronic devices.

Provide certification and testing services for manufacturers of intrinsically safe mobile devices to ensure compliance with INMETRO regulations.

Promote innovation and competitiveness in Brazil by providing a framework for technical regulations and certification.

Assure users and regulatory authorities that certified equipment and services meet necessary international safety standards for use in explosive atmospheres

Give confidence to end-users that hazardous area mobile devices and electronic equipment used in explosive atmospheres have been fully tested and conform to stringent safety and reliability tests.

Where are INMETRO protective systems and equipment used?

INMETRO hazardous area devices are used in a wide range of industries and applications in Brazil where there is a risk of explosion or fire due to the presence of flammable gases, vapours, liquids, or dusts. Some of the main industries where INMETRO hazardous area devices are used include:

Oil and gas exploration and production facilities

Chemical and petrochemical plants

Mining operations

Pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing facilities

Food and beverage processing plants

Power generation facilities

Transportation and storage of hazardous materials

Paint and coating manufacturing facilities

Waste treatment and disposal facilities

Understanding hazardous areas

Hazardous area classification for INMETRO in Brazil

The INMETRO classification system determines hazardous area locations based on the presence and concentration of flammable gases, vapours, liquids, or dusts in the atmosphere over a duration of time. Similar to the division and zone classification systems used in North America and Europe. However, INMETRO distinguishes divisions based on the type of explosive atmosphere (gas or dust) and the likelihood of a hazardous atmosphere being present. And zones based on the likelihood and duration of an explosive atmosphere.

Gases

Zones

Gas groups are divided into subgroups based on the minimum ignition current and maximum experimental safety gap.

Zone 0

Where an explosive atmosphere is continuously present or present for long periods.

Zone 1

Where an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation.

Zone 2

an area in which an explosive mixture is not likely to occur in normal operation and if it occurs it will exist only for a short time.

Dusts

Zones

Explosive dust atmospheres consist of a mixture of the air with flammable substances in the form of dust or fibres.

Zone 20

An area in which an explosive mixture is continuously present or present for long periods.

Zone 21

An area in which an explosive mixture is likely to occur in normal operation

Zone 22

An area in which an explosive mixture is not likely to occur in normal operation and if it occurs it will exist only for a short time.

Divisions

Atmosphere Type

Divisions are based on the type of explosive atmosphere (gas or dust) and the likelihood of the atmosphere being present.

Division 1

Atmospheres where explosive substances are present under normal operating conditions or may be present due to abnormal conditions or equipment failure.

Division 2

Atmospheres where explosive substances are not likely to present under normal operating conditions but may be present due to abnormal conditions or equipment failure.

Division 3

Atmospheres where explosive substances are unlikely to be present under normal operating conditions or abnormal conditions or equipment failure.

Ensuring safety in hazardous areas and understanding Brazilian legislation on intrinsically safe devices

Brazil has a strong regulatory framework in place to ensure the safety of electrical and electronic equipment used in hazardous areas. The National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) is responsible for implementing and enforcing technical regulations related to product safety, quality, and metrology in Brazil, including the certification of equipment designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

In Brazil, the use of electrical and electronic equipment in hazardous areas such as hazardous area tablets and explosion-proof smartphones is regulated by several technical regulations, including Ordinance 179/2010, Ordinance 179/2011, and Ordinance 188/2014. These regulations establish the technical requirements and certification procedures for intrinsically safe devices in hazardous areas.

To ensure compliance with INMETRO regulations, manufacturers of equipment intended for use in hazardous areas must obtain certification through the Brazilian Conformity Assessment Program (PAC). The certification process involves testing and evaluation of the equipment to ensure it meets the relevant technical regulations and safety standards.

Enforcement of these regulations is taken seriously in Brazil, and failure to comply with INMETRO regulations can result in serious consequences. Companies that do not comply with INMETRO regulations can face fines, legal action, and even criminal charges. Non-compliance can also result in accidents or incidents in hazardous areas, which can lead to injuries, loss of life, and damage to property and assets affecting operations and brand reputation.

What types of enterprise mobile devices and equipment used within the hazardous area require an INMETRO certificate?

With the advent of smart digital technologies, services and IoT and M2M services, there is a wide range of equipment used by oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical and big pharma within Brazil, which requires both equipment and devices to meet INMETRO regulations to ensure the safety of workers and assets operating in the hazardous area. Some of the main types of devices are as follows, however not limited to:

Intrinsically safe smartphones

Rugged Tablets

Handheld Computers

Wearable Devices

Barcode Scanners

RFID Readers

Smart Glasses

Mobile Printers

Thermal Imaging Cameras

Gas Detection Devices

Temperature Sensors

Humidity Sensors

Pressure Sensors

Flow Sensors

Level Sensors

Position Sensors

Intrinsically Safe CCTV Systems

Intrinsically Safe Cameras

Industrial Communications Devices

Why does Brazil adopt its own INMETRO standard and not standardise on either the North American CSA or global IECEx certification?

INMETRO is the agency responsible for implementing and enforcing technical regulations related to product safety, quality, and metrology in Brazil. While Brazil could have chosen to adopt a globally recognised certification standard like IECEx or CSA, the decision to create its own certification system was likely influenced by several major factors, including:

Legal Requirements: Brazil has specific legal requirements related to product safety and certification that may differ from those in other countries. Creating its own certification system allows Brazil to tailor its requirements to its specific needs and market without being influenced by a third party.

Market Demand: There is a significant demand in Brazil for intrinsically safe devices and equipment used in hazardous areas. By creating its own certification system, Brazil can ensure that the equipment used in its own market meets its specific safety and quality requirements.

Economic Benefits: Creating its own certification system may have economic benefits for Brazil, such as the creation of jobs and investment in local industries.

How are INMETRO certifications awarded to device manufacturers for equipment used in hazardous areas?

To obtain INMETRO certification for devices designed for hazardous areas, manufacturers must go through a rigorous certification process that includes the following steps:

Application: The intrinsically safe device manufacturer must submit an application for certification to an accredited certification body in Brazil.

Type Testing: The device must undergo extensive testing to ensure compliance with the technical regulations and safety standards established by INMETRO. The testing is conducted by a laboratory accredited by INMETRO.

Factory Inspection: The certification body will conduct an inspection of the manufacturer’s production facilities to ensure that the manufacturing process is consistent with the technical regulations and safety standards.

Insurance Certification: If the device successfully passes the type testing and factory inspection, the certification body will issue an INMETRO certificate of conformity. This certificate is valid for a specified period and must be renewed periodically.

Global Certifications

Global certification schemes for electronic equipment designed for use across hazardous areas

Mobile devices and communications equipment reliably tested and certified for safe operation across major industries around the world. Each industry requires focused expertise to ensure product certification that adheres to strict national and international standards.

Intrinsically Safe Mobile Devices
ATEX Certified.

The European standard for the safe use of equipment where there is potential for an explosive atmosphere present.

Intrinsically Safe Devices
IECEx Certified.

The internationally accepted standard by organisations for the safe use of equipment within hazardous areas.

CSA Intrinsically Safe Devices
CSA Certified.

The Canadian standard is widely adopted by companies in North America and meets North American Standards.

EAC Intrinsically Safe Devices
EAC Ex Certified.

Is the Eurasian Conformity certification for organisations operating within the EAEU, including Russia.

KCS Kosha Intrinsically Safe Tablets
KCs Certified.

The Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency. KOSHA. Required for all hazardous area safety equipment.

JINOSH Japan Intrinsically Safe
JNIOSH Certified.

The Japanese standard and certification from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

SANS South Africa Intrinsically Safe
SANS Certified.

SANS is the South African National Accreditation System which governs the use of hazardous area devices.

icon-angle icon-bars icon-times