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Brazil moves toward its own REACH (INSQ)
Introduction
Brazil has taken an important step toward aligning with global chemical substance management by approving Law No. 15.022/2024, enacted on November 13, 2024, and known as the Brazilian REACH or Brazil REACH.
This new law establishes the National Inventory of Chemical Substances (INSQ) and sets mechanisms for assessing and controlling the risks of chemical substances manufactured or imported in the country, with the goal of protecting human health and the environment.
With the implementation of Brazil REACH, the country moves closer to international best practices adopted by the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), reinforcing chemical safety and promoting more responsible and transparent management throughout the entire production chain.
What is the INSQ?
The National Inventory of Chemical Substances (INSQ) is an official database that will gather information on all chemical substances manufactured or imported in Brazil above certain annual volume thresholds.
Its main objective is to map, assess, and control the risks associated with chemical substances, promoting safer and more sustainable management of these substances nationwide.
Limits and obligations
According to Law No. 15.022/2024, companies that produce or import one ton or more per year of a given substance must register it in the National Register of Chemical Substances, which will serve as the basis for the inventory.
The required information includes composition, volume, intended uses, hazards to human health and the environment, as well as control measures adopted. Companies will have a three-year period to complete the registration.
When a substance is classified as high risk, the committees may impose usage restrictions, request risk management plans, or even require its replacement with safer alternatives.
Creation of Committees
The law creates two collegial bodies with technical and deliberative functions:
the Technical Committee for the Evaluation of Chemical Substances, responsible for analyzing data and proposing risk control measures;
and the Deliberative Committee for Chemical Substances, which defines guidelines and approves strategic decisions.
These committees will be composed of experts from different fields — including environment, health, trade, metrology, quality, and technology — ensuring a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to chemical substance management.
Studies and Fees
The legislation grants those responsible for original studies on new substances the right of ownership over these data for up to ten years.
It also establishes the Registration, Evaluation, and Inspection Fee for Chemical Substances, intended to cover the costs of registration, monitoring, and control activities.
Sanctions
Failure to comply with registration or data update requirements may result in fines of up to 40,000 minimum wages, reinforcing the importance of regulatory compliance and responsible chemical management.
Excluded substances
The law excludes from its scope substances already regulated under specific legislation, such as:
radioactive materials
food and food additives
pharmaceuticals
cosmetics
cleaning and sanitizing products
in vitro diagnostic products
fertilizers
pesticides
products related to national defense
These exclusions prevent regulatory overlap and ensure consistency with existing sector-specific rules.
Evolution and Timeline of the INSQ Law
Since 2019, the topic of a national law for chemical substance control has been under discussion between Congress and the production sector.
In November 2024, these discussions culminated in the approval of Law No. 15.022/2024, which establishes the INSQ.
Between 2025 and 2026, the regulatory phase is expected to take place, defining criteria and notification deadlines. Starting in 2027, companies are expected to begin mandatory registration of their substances.
Comparison with the European model (REACH)
In the European Union, REACH (Regulation (EC) 1907/2006) establishes the requirement to register all chemical substances manufactured or imported in quantities above 1 ton per year, serving as an international benchmark in chemical risk management and control.
The Brazilian INSQ adopts similar principles of notification and inventory, but with implementation stages adapted to national realities. Like REACH, the INSQ aims to map circulating substances, assess their hazards and risks to human health and the environment, and promote substitution with safer alternatives when necessary.
Relationship with ABNT NBR 14725:2023
The ABNT NBR 14725:2023 standard, which regulates the preparation of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and the labeling of chemical products, reinforces the importance of transparency and clear communication of hazards.
The INSQ complements this standard by creating a national inventory of chemical substances, enabling the integration of information from SDSs, mandatory notifications, and risk management measures.
Thus, both instruments work together to strengthen chemical safety, protect human and environmental health, and support more effective regulatory decision-making.
Conclusion
Through the creation of the INSQ under Law No. 15.022/2024, Brazil takes a decisive step toward safer, more transparent, and responsible chemical substance management, aligning itself with international standards such as the European REACH and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
The national inventory will allow the mapping and assessment of risks associated with chemical substances, integrating registration data, Safety Data Sheets, and control measures.
In addition to reinforcing protection of human health and the environment, the INSQ creates opportunities to increase regulatory compliance, competitiveness of Brazil’s chemical industry, and market confidence, consolidating the country as a reference in chemical safety in Latin America.
The implementation of the INSQ will require companies to keep their Safety Data Sheets (SDS) updated and aligned with the new regulatory requirements.
eQgest is the specialized software that supports companies in SDS management, labeling, and compliance with GHS and INSQ.
Contact the eQgest team to learn how to ensure compliance to optimize your chemical safety management processes.
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