If you are planning to launch a product in Brazil, it is important to guarantee that you comply with all local regulations in order to get your product to market quickly and then keep it there. Understanding product registration in Brazil can be tricky to anyone unfamiliar with the market, so is often done with the assistance of an experienced local partner.
Brazil has historically enjoyed a politically stable environment and friendly relations with the United States and European Union, contributing to its popularity as an investment destination. Product registration in Brazil is important for this. As the largest and most populous country in South America, with a population of 182 million people, this economic powerhouse shares common boundaries with many of Latin America’s other key markets and is among the ten largest economies in the world by GDP.
If you seeking a legal representative to support your product and entry into the market, read on here first to better understand some of the steps involved in product registration in Brazil, as well as details of some of the official entities you might be dealing with in the process.
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3 key steps for product registation in Brazil
While the procedure can vary depending on the type of product you are seeking to register, each process will involve the following key steps:
- Register your entity type: whether you will be going through full company formation in Brazil, or are instead considering forming a branch or registering a subsidiary, you are going to need a legal entity in the country associated with the product. Understanding the best type of legal entity to suit your needs can be done with the help of a company formation agent.
- Submit your product for study: your product will need to be examined by the relevant state entity to guarantee that it adheres to all safety and other regulations, and that it fulfils the stated commercial purpose for which it is being sold. This process will often involve providing a comprehensive account of all materials and processes used in the manufacturing process.
- Begin the importation or large-scale manufacture of the product: Once you have received authorization from the relevant state body, you will be free to begin importing or producing the product, based on adherence to all associated norms and regulations related to safe importation or production.
An experienced corporate legal representative with experience in the commercial environment in which you operate will be able to agilize all steps along this process.
Regulatory agencies in Brazil
Commercial products and services are regulated by separate government entities according to the nature of the product. Some of the main local regulatory agencies in charge of product registration in Brazil include:
- ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency): ANVISA is responsible for the registration and authorization of medical devices, drugs, cosmetics (including personal hygiene products and fragrances), certain types of food (including novel ingredients, food for infants and young children, and probiotics), pesticides, pharmaceutical ingredients, sanitizors, and tobacco products.
- MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply): Goods of animal origin must have their label registered with this ministry. Wines and products derived from grapes must also be registered before they can be marketed. In addition, certain types of foods of plant origin such as sugar, oats, and coffee must be also registered. Finally, animal feed products, fertilizers, and veterinary products are subject to registration at the MAPA.
- ANATEL (National Telecommunications Agency): Certain technological devices must go through a process of product registration in Brazil with ANATEL in order to be commercialized. These include telephones and telephone terminals, internet modems, devices that use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, devices that transmit radio frequencies, batteries, and cables used in telecommunication equipment.
- ANTAQ (National Water Transport Agency): Companies that operate in port support navigation must be registered with ANTAQ. Note that port support navigation activities include port towing, passenger and cargo transportation, vessel mooring, and other related activities.
FAQs on product registration in Brazil
Commercial products and services are regulated by separate government entities according to the nature of the product. Some of the main local regulatory agencies in charge of product registration in Brazil include:
ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency), MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, ANATEL (National Telecommunications Agency), ANTAQ (National Water Transport Agency)
By patenting a product in Brazil, the government will grant you the sole right of commercialization and will exclude other people who may otherwise seek to benefit from it. For this reason, knowing about product registration in Brazil is vital to protecting your patent and mitigating any risk of plagiarism.
While the procedure can vary depending on the type of product you are seeking to register, each process will involve the following key steps:
Register your entity type: whether you will be going through full company formation in Brazil, or are instead considering forming a branch or registering a subsidiary, you are going to need a legal entity in the country associated with the product. Understanding the best type of legal entity to suit your needs can be done with the help of a company formation agent.
Submit your product for study: your product will need to be examined by the relevant state entity to guarantee that it adheres to all safety and other regulations, and that it fulfils the stated commercial purpose for which it is being sold. This process will often involve providing a comprehensive account of all materials and processes used in the manufacturing process.
In addition to registering a product, you can also register a logo, trademark, number, or literary and artistic works.
Biz Latin Hub can help with product registration in Brazil
Ensure the success of your business operations by engaging with an established local partner able to guide you through the steps required for product registration in Brazil.
At Biz Latin Hub, our team of multilingual corporate legal and accounting specialists has vast experience assisting foreign companies with the likes of company formation, legal representation, and HR services. With our full portfolio of market entry and back-office services, we can be your single point of contact to develop commercial operations in Brazil and take advantage of business opportunities there, or anywhere else in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Reach out to us now to start your commercial expansion.
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