Brazil ANATEL Releases Mobile Phone Charger Testing Regulations

On April 17, 2024, the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) released new testing regulations for various types of mobile phone chargers under Act 5155, replacing the previous Act 5159. The new regulations will take effect on October 14, 2024. The main changes between the old and new standards are as follows:

Car Chargers:

1. ESD Testing Requirements:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): ESD testing for car chargers had to follow ISO 10605/2008 item 8.3, with electrostatic discharge tests at the following levels:  

     a) 2kV, 4kV, and 6kV contact discharge  

     b) 4kV, 6kV, and 8kV air discharge

   - New Standard (Act 5155): The electrostatic discharge testing requirements are:  

     a) 6kV contact discharge  

     b) 8kV air discharge  

   - Note: The new standard eliminates the requirements for 2/4kV and 4/6kV.

2. Electromagnetic Immunity Testing:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): All transient electromagnetic immunity tests had to follow ISO 7637-2/2004 for 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b.

   - New Standard (Act 5155): The requirement for 2b has been removed, and testing now only follows ISO 7637-2/2004 for 2a, 3a, and 3b.

3. Renewal Requirements:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): No special instructions.

   - New Standard (Act 5155): Car chargers certified under Act 5159 do not need retesting for renewal.

Other Chargers (AC-DC Chargers):  

Changes in sample quantity requirements:

1. Sample Quantity:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): Required 12 normal samples.

   - New Standard (Act 5155): Requires 22 normal samples.  

   - Note: More samples are needed for testing under the new standard.

2. Certification and Testing Requirements:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): Certification was based on the requirements of ABNT NBR NM 60884-1/2010 item 9.1 (plugs and sockets for household and similar use) and ABNT NBR14136/2012 (AC power plugs/sockets for 250V).

   - New Standard (Act 5155): From January 1, 2025, testing according to the above standards will be mandatory, instead of just certification.

   - Note: The new standard changes certification requirements to mandatory testing.

3. Interference testing:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): Conducted electrical interference tests on the insulation sheath of various plugs.

   - New Standard (Act 5155): Includes electrical and mechanical stress interference testing on the plugs of chargers.

   - Note: The new standard enhances testing requirements.

4. Mobile Charger Renewal:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): No special instructions.

   - New Standard (Act 5155): From October 1, 2024, all mobile (AC-DC) chargers must undergo testing according to the new standard for renewal, updating the CoC.

Wireless Chargers (WPT):

Main Frequency Field Strength Requirements:

1. Requirements for Car and Other Chargers:

   - Old Standard (Act 5159): In addition to meeting some basic requirements for chargers, compliance with the main frequency field strength was required.

   - New Standard (Act 5155): Remains consistent with the old standard, requiring compliance with the main frequency field strength.

   - Note: There is no change in this requirement.

JJR Reminder  

Certificates applied for before October 14, 2024, remain valid until they expire.  

After October 14, 2024, all new anatel certifications and renewals for chargers must be evaluated according to the new Act 5155 regulations.