Brazil Consults Over Proposal on Metal Cookware Regulations & Requirements

In April 2021, Brazil’s Ministry of Economy/National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Ministério da Economia/Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia, Inmetro) issued Public Consultation No. 14 of April 7, 2021 (Consulta Pública  No. 14, de 7 de Abril de 2021) on a proposal to amend the nation’s Quality Technical Regulation and Conformity Assessment Requirements for metal cookware (the Proposal).

The Proposal contains, inter alia, several important changes to the requirements for metal cookware falling under Inmetro Ordinances 398/2012 ‘Technical Regulation’ and 419/2012 ‘Conformity Assessment Requirements’. It:

• Clarifies that the scope of metal cookware is only for those intended to be used in ovens and on stoves:
  • ≤ 75 cm base or diagonal diameter for cookware to be used in ovens, equivalent to the diameter of the circumcircle in the geometric shape of the cookware, such as roasting pans, trays or other metal cookware with a similar function
  • ≤ 17 L volumetric capacity for cookware to be used on stoves, such as water baths, casseroles, steam cookers, pans, pots, woks or other cookware with a similar function
  • ≤ 40 cm base or diagonal diameter for cookware to be used on stoves, equivalent to the diameter of the circumcircle in the geometric shape of the cookware, such as grill pans, barbeque grills, crepe pans, frying pans, saucepans and other cookware with a similar function
  • ≤ 2 L volumetric capacity for cookware to be used on stoves, such as coffee makers, kettles, fryers or other cookware with a similar function
  • ≤ 30 L volumetric capacity for pressure cookers
• Exempts pans with a capacity larger than those listed above and those exclusively for hotels, industry and campgrounds, cookware made of silicone, rechargeable electrical items and those that are disposable 
• Requires cookware exclusively for use in hotels, industry or campgrounds to be properly identified on their labels or packaging
• Updates the list of supplementary documents in Inmetro Ordinance 398/2012 (see Table 1 below)
• Replaces ‘ABNT NBR 6589, classes FC100, FC150 and FC200’ with ‘DIN EN 1561, classes GJL-100, GJL-150 or GJL-200’ for cast iron pressure cooker bodies and other cookware bodies
• Amends the testing requirements for physical and mechanical properties
• Clarifies the grouping on types of cookware by family, revises the sampling and acceptance criteria for cookware and pressure cookers, as well as illustrative requirements for the conformity identification seal under Inmetro Ordinance 419/2012

According to the Proposal, comments will be accepted until June 10, 2021.

Highlights of the revised list of supplementary documents under Inmetro Ordinance 398/2012 are summarized in Table 1. 

Table 1

SGS technical experts have extensive knowledge and testing experience in materials and articles in contact with food. They work to ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials, paving the way for compliance. From overall migration tests to expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review, SGS is the partner to trust. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Discover more on our website and read our brochure.

For enquiries, please contact:

Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
t: (+852) 2774 7420

^{© SGS Group Management SA - 2021 - All rights reserved - SGS is a registered trademark of SGS Group Management SA. This is a publication of SGS, except for 3rd parties’ contents submitted or licensed for use by SGS. SGS neither endorses nor disapproves said 3rd parties contents. This publication is intended to provide technical information and shall not be considered an exhaustive treatment of any subject treated. It is strictly educational and does not replace any legal requirements or applicable regulations. It is not intended to constitute consulting or professional advice. The information contained herein is provided “as is” and SGS does not warrant that it will be error-free or will meet any particular criteria of performance or quality. Do not quote or refer any information herein without SGS’s prior written consent.}