ANVISA Medical Device Registration and Approval in Brazil

ANSWERED ON THIS PAGE:

• What is the registration process in Brazil?
• Does ANVISA require an in-country representative for foreign manufacturers?
• Are we required to maintain any technical certifications in Brazil?

Brazil is the largest medical device market in Latin America, with an established but complex regulatory system. Medical devices in Brazil are regulated by the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Brazil's base regulations and medical device classification schemes are similar to those found in the European MDD 93/42/EEC.

With offices in Brasília and São Paulo, Emergo's team in Brazil has the expertise to help you navigate ANVISA's regulatory requirements and begin selling your device in Brazil.

Cadastro vs. Registro Registration Routes in Brazil

The first step in the Brazil regulatory process is to determine the correct classification of your medical device. Lower-risk Class I and II devices will follow the Cadastro registration route, which includes a simplified application. Higher-risk Class III and IV devices must follow the Registro registration process.

If your device is Class I* or II, you must submit an application and legal documents to ANVISA for review and approval. Class I and II device manufacturers must also compile a comprehensive technical dossier for their Brazilian Registration Holder (BRH) to keep on file, along with proposed labeling and IFU, in case of an ANVISA audit.

Class III and IV device manufacturers must prepare a Technical File that includes clinical data, clinical studies, and additional device information. Legal documents, IFUs, and proposed labeling are also included in the Technical File. Class III and IV registrations expire after ten years; Class I and II registrations do not expire.

*ANVISA's new notification pathway for Class I devices went into effect May 2019. Read more on the blog here.

Appointing a Brazilian Registration Holder

Foreign medical device manufacturers that do not have a physical location within Brazil must appoint a Brazilian Registration Holder (BRH). Your BRH will submit your registration application to ANVISA and maintains control of your device registration and Brazil Good Manufacturing Practice (BGMP) certification, if applicable. Hiring an independent BRH instead of a distributor gives you the freedom to change distributors at any time. 

INMETRO certification requirements

ANVISA requires that certain medical devices be certified by The National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (INMETRO), which is responsible for the establishment of technical standards in Brazil. INMETRO certification is often required for electro-medical devices subject to IEC 60601, as well as some other medical devices. Emergo can assist with selecting an INMETRO certifier and communicate with them on your behalf.

Let Emergo assist you with Brazil's regulatory approval process

Emergo's team in Brazil has helped hundreds of medical device companies comply with ANVISA's regulatory requirements. Here's how we can help:

• Determine the classification for your device, and complete all necessary documentation to ensure a smooth registration.
• Act as your Brazilian Registration Holder to allow you more control over your registrations and distribution.
• Our experienced consultants can update your existing FDA or ISO 13485 compliant quality system to meet Brazil's Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
• Assist with INMETRO certification coordination, if necessary.

Please contact us for more information on all of our Brazil registration services.