Brazil Officially Enforces Unified Technical Regulation for LED Luminaires and Lighting Equipment

On 5 May 2026, Brazil formally submitted Notification G/TBT/N/BRA/609/Add.6 to the WTO, approving the Unified Technical Quality Regulation governing LED (Light-Emitting Diode) luminaires and lighting equipment. It also established corresponding conformity assessment requirements and specifications for the conformity marking under the National Energy Conservation Label (ENCE). These three sets of provisions constitute Annex I, Annex II and Annex III of the Decree respectively.

According to the announcement, Decree No. 231/2026 supersedes the previous Decree No. 69/2022. All relevant parameters will be implemented gradually in phases over an 18-month transition period. Covering a broader scope, the new regulation brings lighting equipment for industrial, commercial and residential applications under supervision, marking a systematic integration and upgrade of Brazil’s regulatory framework for the lighting industry.

The regulation does not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach for all LED lighting products. As stipulated in the publicly available regulatory text, exemptions apply to LED luminaires for Christmas decorative lighting, light hoses, festoon lights and decorative light figures. General or decorative luminaires designed for use with interchangeable light sources and sold without any integrated light source are also excluded. In addition, LED luminaires specially designed for installation on streetlight poles for roads, plazas and other outdoor areas, as well as LED luminaires covered by other specific Inmetro regulations, fall outside the scope of this rule. This means dedicated municipal road lighting continues to follow the prior special regulatory system.

In terms of compliance administration, the new regulation continues and strengthens import control mechanisms. LED luminaires and lighting equipment subject to this regulation will be governed by the non-automatic import licensing system. Importers must apply to Inmetro for licenses in accordance with Decree No. 137/2022 (or its successor provisions) and complete relevant procedures within the time limit specified in Article 15 of the Decree. The date of shipment of goods from the country of origin shall serve as the starting point for calculating the time limit. For market surveillance, relevant products across Brazil are subject to inspection activities conducted by Inmetro and public legal entities entrusted by Inmetro. Any act or omission in violation of the Decree constitutes an infringement, and corresponding penalties may be imposed pursuant to Law No. 9933/1999.