🇧🇷South America

Medical Device Regulation in Brazil

ANVISA regulates medical devices (Produtos para a Saúde) under RDC 751/2022, which replaced RDC 185/2001. Brazil uses a GHTF-aligned four-class risk-based system. ANVISA is both an IMDRF member and an MDSAP participant, making it one of the more internationally harmonized regulators in Latin America.

FrameworkRDC 751/2022 / Law 6,360/1976
Classification systemClass I / Class II / Class III / Class IV
Primary agencyANVISA
RegionSouth America
References tracked8
Updates this year27

Sources Tracked by Qalico

Qalico continuously monitors 8 references across guidelines, regulations, and standards for Brazil.

Guidelines

IMDRF — Consultations1 ref
IMDRF — Documents3 refs
MDSAP — Documents4 refs

Device Classification

Class IClass IIClass IIIClass IV

Class I (lowest risk): e.g., bandages, examination gloves. Class II: e.g., needles, syringes. Class III: e.g., ventilators, haemodialysis equipment. Class IV (highest risk): e.g., cardiac stents, implantable pacemakers. Classification follows GHTF/IMDRF rules aligned with international standards.

Official classification guidance →

Standards & Key Principles

Applicable Standards

ABNT NBR ISO 13485:2016 (QMS / BPF)ABNT NBR ISO 14971:2021 (Risk Management)IEC 60601-1 (Electrical Safety)GHTF/IMDRF Guidelines

Key Principles

  • GHTF/IMDRF-harmonized four-class system
  • GMP (Boas Práticas de Fabricação – BPF) certificate mandatory
  • Brazilian Authorized Representative required for foreign manufacturers
  • Registro (Class III/IV) vs. Cadastro (Class I/II) pathways
  • SOLICITA electronic platform for all regulatory submissions
  • MDSAP participant: shared audits with FDA, Health Canada, TGA, PMDA

Pre-Market Requirements

Cadastro (Listing) – Class I/II

Simplified registration via SOLICITA. Declaration of conformity, GMP certificate, labeling review. Faster pathway for lower-risk devices.

Registro (Registration) – Class III/IV

Full registration: technical dossier, clinical evidence, GMP Certificate, labeling, risk/benefit analysis submitted to ANVISA.

GMP Certificate (BPF)

Mandatory for all device classes. Issued by ANVISA after inspection or via MDSAP audit report. Valid for 2 years.

Post-Market Requirements

Tecnovigilância – Adverse Event Reporting

Deaths/serious injuries reported to ANVISA via Notivisa system within 7 days; other events within 30 days.

Post-Market Surveillance

Ongoing monitoring of marketed devices; queixas técnicas and adverse events reported to ANVISA.

Recalls (Recolhimento)

ANVISA notified of all voluntary or compulsory recalls; ANVISA can mandate recalls. Notices published publicly.

International Recognition & Reliance

MERCOSUR

MERCOSUR mutual recognition: devices registered in MERCOSUR countries benefit from harmonized procedures.

MDSAP Members

MDSAP audit reports accepted by ANVISA, reducing duplicative GMP inspections.

Stay on top of regulatory changes in Brazil

Qalico monitors publications from ANVISA in real time, surfacing updates that matter to your device category — so your team never misses a critical change.