Are you familiar with the Regulatory Norms and Standards in Brazil?

Regulatory norms and standards are conditions applied to Occupational Health and Safety, and are mandatory by law throughout Brazilian territory. They must be followed by private companies, public entities, and government agencies that employ workers under the CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws).

Failure to comply with these standards can result in penalties and fines, activity shutdowns, legal actions, and reputational damage.

These standards require the identification and assessment of risks, implementation of protective measures, training, supervision, and penalties.

Currently, there are 36 regulatory standards in Brazil, but only 35 of them are active and in function, which are:

• Regulatory Standard No. 1:

This standard serves as the foundation for all other standards. It addresses the general provisions regarding occupational health and safety and establishes the mandatory nature of all other standards, defining their terms, concepts, and applications. It requires all companies to have a PGR (Risk Management Program). This program lists all risks, including emotional and psychosocial ones, such as stress and harassment, and includes a plan to control them.

The NR was recently updated in May 2025 and will only be enforceable from May 2026.

• Regulatory Standard No. 2:

Addresses the prior inspection of new establishments or those undergoing significant modifications, prior to the start of their activities.

• Regulatory Standard No. 3:

This standard addresses the shutdown or interdiction of activities, establishments, or locations that present serious and imminent risks to workers’ health and safety. In such cases, all workers must continue receiving their wages as if they were actively working.

• Regulatory Standard No. 4:

It aims to guarantee the workers Health and Safety, preventing occupational diseases, accidents and illnesses, through specialized services in Occupational Medicine and Safety, known as SESMT (Specialized Services in Safety Engineering and Occupational Medicine).

• Regulatory Standard No. 5:

According to the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA), this standard is mandatory for all companies that have more than 20 employees working under the CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws) regime, or that presents any kind of risk. It aims to prevent work accidents and illnesses. It requires training, with a mandatory workload, and it can be conducted either in person or online.

• Regulatory Standard No. 6:

Applies to the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to ensure workers health and safety. It must be delivered by the employers free of charge and it should be in perfect  condition. All PPE’s must have a CA (Certificate of Approval) issued by the ministry of labor and employment, and the company that manufactures or imports the product must be registered with the Department of Occupational Safety.

• Regulatory Standard No. 7:

It establishes that all employees must undergo mandatory medical examinations, which include: pre-employment exam, periodic exams, return-to-work exam, job change exam, and termination exam.

• Regulatory Standard No. 8:

Establishes the minimum technical requirements for safety and comfort in buildings where work activities are carried out, such as: fire resistance, protection against rain, excessive sun exposure or lack of sunlight, structural resistance, ventilation, and non-slip coating on floors and walls.

• Regulatory Standard No. 9:

 It mandates the development and implementation of the Environmental Risk Prevention Program (PPRA). This standard sets requirements for the assessment and control of occupational exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents, with the goal of preserving workers’ health and integrity in the workplace.

• Regulatory Standard No. 10:

Regulatory Standard 10 addresses safety in electrical installations and systems, establishing minimum requirements for workers’ health and safety. It applies to all voltage levels and is mandatory for companies involved in: energized electrical installations; maintenance of electrical systems; electrical design, assembly, and inspections.

Training with a minimum required workload is mandatory for all workers who deal directly or indirectly with low- and high-voltage networks.

• Regulatory Standard No. 11:

This standard establishes safety requirements for the operation of elevators, cranes, industrial conveyors, and transport machines such as forklifts and others. It aims to protect the physical integrity of workers by preventing accidents and injuries related to transportation activities. 

• Regulatory Standard No. 12:

Talks about protective measures related to all types of machinery during all phases of use, with the main goal of protecting workers from accidents and occupational illnesses. The phases of use include transportation, assembly, installation, adjustment, operation, cleaning, maintenance, inspection, deactivation, and dismantling of machines or equipment.

It requires mandatory training with a minimum workload for all individuals who work with machines and equipment.

• Regulatory Standard No. 13:

This standard addresses the safety procedures that must be adopted and followed in the management, inspection, and supervision of boilers and pressure vessels.

It requires mandatory training with a minimum workload.

• Regulatory Standard No. 14:

It defines the necessary protective measures for workers involved in the installation and use of furnaces, flames, and gases from liquids.

Its main objective is to ensure the safety and health of workers exposed to high temperatures and other associated risks.

The protective measures include: chimneys, gas dispersion systems, and the use of refractory materials.

• Regulatory Standard No. 15:

NR-15 defines the terms unhealthiness and hazardousness as working in environments that are harmful to health. It establishes that workers exposed to unhealthy conditions must receive additional compensation. Activities considered unhealthy include: continuous or constant noise, ionizing radiation, exposure to high temperatures, among others.

• Regulatory Standard No. 16:

This standard states that work performed under hazardous conditions entitles the worker to receive additional compensation of up to 30% on top of their base salary.

• Regulatory Standard No. 17:

Establishes that measures must be taken to adapt the work environment in order to promote greater comfort, safety, and efficient performance by employees. Working conditions include aspects related to the lifting, transport, and unloading of materials, workstation furniture, work with machines, equipment, and hand tools, among others.

• Regulatory Standard No. 18:

Dedicated to safety measures and preventive systems adopted in the construction industry, such as on construction sites, during repair and painting services, and in the cleaning and maintenance of buildings in general.

It requires mandatory training with a minimum workload.

• Regulatory Standard No. 19:

This standard establishes preventive measures for the manufacturing, storage, and transportation of explosives in general, including fireworks. It ensures the protection of the workers involved, as well as the environment and surrounding properties.

• Regulatory Standard No. 20:

Defines the parameters for activities involving the extraction, production, storage, and transfer of flammable substances and liquid fuels.

Its goal is to ensure the safety and protection of both workers and the environment.

It includes mandatory training with a minimum required workload.

• Regulatory Standard No. 21:

Addresses outdoor working conditions and establishes protective measures for workers exposed to weather conditions and other environmental risks that may endanger their safety, such as sun exposure, rain, sewage, and more.

• Regulatory Standard No. 22:

This standard establishes safety and health requirements for workers in the mining sector, particularly those performing underground activities. It covers various aspects such as ventilation, transportation, use of explosives, among others.

• Regulatory Standard No. 23:

Mandates that all companies must have a fire protection system, more than one exit to ensure quick evacuation, firefighting equipment, and trained personnel capable of responding quickly to fire emergencies.

• Regulatory Standard No. 24:

This standard deals with ensuring adequate sanitary conditions and comfort in the workplace, including restrooms, locker rooms, dining areas, and more. Companies have the legal duty to provide suitable and comfortable environments for their employees.

• Regulatory Standard No. 25:

This standard establishes requirements for the management of industrial waste in the workplace, including gaseous, toxic, biologically hazardous, or radioactive waste.

It applies to all stages of the process, from management to disposal.

• Regulatory Standard No. 26:

Determines and establishes safety signage in work environments. It covers the use of colors for identifying piping and safety equipment, delimitation of areas, labeling of chemical products, and risk warnings. Its purpose is to prevent accidents caused by lack of attention, confusion, or worker fatigue.

• Regulatory Standard No. 27:

It was revoked in 2008.

• Regulatory Standard No. 28:

Deals with the inspection and penalties related to Occupational Health and Safety, including granting deadlines for companies to regularize their situation, as well as procedures for fines and enforcement actions against non-compliant companies.

• Regulatory Standard No. 29:

This standard defines and establishes measures to ensure the safety of port workers according to SESSTP (Specialized Service in Port Worker Health and Safety). It applies to all port activities, whether onboard or onshore. Its objective is to prevent accidents and facilitate first aid.

• Regulatory Standard No. 30:

This standard addresses the protection and prevention of risks and occupational diseases in the aquatic work environment, including long-haul navigation, inland navigation, coastal shipping, among others.

• Regulatory Standard No. 31:

It requires occupational safety in the environments of agriculture, livestock, forestry, logging, and aquaculture. Its objective is to ensure the safety and health of rural workers.

• Regulatory Standard No. 32:

Promotes occupational safety and health by implementing protective measures for healthcare workers and all professionals involved in health promotion and care activities, protecting them from contamination risks.

These risks include infections caused by microorganisms, viruses, parasites, and others.

• Regulatory Standard No. 33:

This standard addresses the safety and health of workers in confined spaces, establishing the minimum requirements for identifying such spaces and the existing risks.

According to the standard, a confined space is any area not designed for continuous human occupancy, with difficult access for entry and exit, insufficient ventilation to remove contaminants, and oxygen levels inadequate for natural breathing.

Mandatory training with a minimum required workload is necessary.

• Regulatory Standard No. 34:

Outlines the minimum protection and health measures in the shipbuilding and ship repair work environment. It covers conditions such as hot work, work at height, scaffolding, painting, exposure to radiation, among others.

• Regulatory Standard No. 35:

This standard addresses safety in work at height, aiming to ensure the health and safety of workers. According to NR-35, any work performed at heights greater than 2 meters, where there is a risk of falling, is subject to this regulation.

It includes mandatory training with a minimum required workload.

• Regulatory Standard No. 36:

 This standard establishes the minimum requirements for the assessment, control, and monitoring of risks in the meat and meat processing industry. Its goal is to promote health, safety, and quality of life in the workplace.

Interested in establishing your business or selling machines in Brazil?

Brazil is one of the countries with the strictest legal requirements when it comes to Occupational Safety and technical compliance. There are dozens of mandatory Regulatory Standards (NRs), sector-specific legislation, and technical requirements for the importation, installation, and operation of equipment and machinery within the country.

We understand that, for foreign companies, navigating this regulatory landscape can be challenging — and failing to meet these requirements can lead to severe penalties: fines, operational shutdowns, legal actions, workplace accidents, and, most importantly, damage to your brand’s reputation.

At Ziel Engenharia, we specialize in technical inspections, compliance with Brazilian standards, and engineering applied to industrial safety. We act as strategic partners for companies looking to enter the Brazilian market in a safe, legal, and efficient manner.

contato@zielengenharia.com | 0800-878-3988