Introduction
Anvisa, Brazil’s regulatory authority for health-related products, has published revolutionary new regulations that will reshape the sanitizing products market in Brazil and Mercosul countries. On August 20, 2025, Resolution RDC 989/2025 and Normative Instruction IN 394/2025 were officially released, establishing updated requirements for sanitizing product regularization and replacing the outdated RDC 59/2010.
These new RDCs represent a significant milestone in regulatory harmonization, aligning Brazilian legislation with Mercosul technical regulations while maintaining national specificities that ensure product safety and facilitate market access.
Development Process and Background
The regulatory revision process began in 2019 during the 50th Meeting of Mercosul’s Working Subgroup (SGT) No. 11 in Buenos Aires. The main objective was to align Brazilian legislation with the proposed technical regulation for registration and notification of sanitizing products throughout the Mercosul bloc.
After extensive consultation through Public Consultation 776 published on February 7, 2020, the health-related products regulatory authority faced challenges in achieving complete harmonization due to climatic differences between Mercosul countries. This led to disagreements regarding analytical tolerances and shelf-life requirements (Chapters VI and VIII of the former RDC 59/2010).
To address these challenges while maintaining regulatory progress, Anvisa adopted a strategic two-part approach:
RDC 989/2025: Contains the harmonized Mercosul text
IN 394/2025: Addresses non-harmonized requirements from the former RDC 59/2010, including analytical tolerances and shelf-life criteria
Main Changes and Regulatory Requirements
Risk Classification System
The new regulations establish a clear risk classification system for sanitizing products:
Risk Category 1 (Mandatory Notification): Products requiring notification procedures
Risk Category 2 (Mandatory Registration): Products requiring formal registration
LD50 evaluation criteria have been significantly refined:
- Free-sale products: Evaluated in pure formÂ
- Professional-use products: Evaluated at final dilution concentrationÂ
- Safety limits: Values exceeding 2,000 mg/kg for liquids and 500 mg/kg for solidsÂ
This specification provides greater precision and standardization in risk assessment, considering different presentation forms and usage patterns of sanitizing products.
Enhanced Safety Requirements
The regulations introduce stringent safety requirements including:
- Prohibition of carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic substancesÂ
- Mandatory biodegradability requirements for anionic surfactantsÂ
- Comprehensive toxicological evaluation protocolsÂ
Labeling and Packaging Standards
Harmonized labeling requirements ensure greater clarity and consumer safety:
Mandatory Information Requirements:
- Clear identification of active ingredientsÂ
- Proper dilution instructions for professional productsÂ
- Poison Control Centers contact informationÂ
- Standardized warning statementsÂ
Prohibited Practices:
- Misleading or appealing informationÂ
- Reuse of food packaging for sanitizing productsÂ
- Unclear or confusing mandatory dataÂ
The labeling system now offers more complete and consistent requirements applicable to all sanitizing product categories, ensuring comprehensive regulatory compliance.
Volume Limits for Free-Sale Products
Risk Category 1 products designated for free sale can now be commercialized in containers up to 10 kg or liters, providing greater flexibility for manufacturers while maintaining safety standards.
National Specificities in IN 394/2025
IN 394/2025 details critical national requirements:
- Volume limits for various product categoriesÂ
- Analytical tolerances for quality control proceduresÂ
- Shelf-life validation criteria including stability testing conditionsÂ
- Specific technical requirements not covered in the harmonized Mercosul textÂ
Impact Analysis and Industry Implications
Benefits for Citizens and Public Health
The new regulatory framework offers significant advantages:
- Enhanced product safety through more rigorous evaluation criteriaÂ
- Transparent information via harmonized labeling requirementsÂ
- Better market surveillance through improved classification systemsÂ
Industry and Market Impact
For the productive sector, these regulations provide:
- International harmonization boosting free trade opportunitiesÂ
- Enhanced competitiveness in Mercosul marketsÂ
- Streamlined regulatory processes for market accessÂ
- Clear compliance pathways for national and international manufacturersÂ
Regulatory Compliance Strategies
For Manufacturers Currently in Market
Existing product holders should:
- Conduct comprehensive product reviews against new requirementsÂ
- Update labeling and packaging to meet harmonized standardsÂ
- Review risk classifications and adjust registration/notification statusÂ
- Implement quality control measures per new analytical tolerance requirementsÂ
For New Market Entrants
Companies seeking market entry should:
- Engage early with regulatory consultants familiar with Anvisa requirementsÂ
- Develop products considering Mercosul harmonization benefitsÂ
- Establish robust quality systems meeting GMP standards for sanitizing productsÂ
- Plan market strategy considering Brazilian and regional market accessÂ
International Harmonization and Mercosul Integration
The regulatory alignment represents a strategic milestone in Mercosul integration, facilitating:
- Mutual recognition agreements between member countriesÂ
- Reduced regulatory barriers for cross-border tradeÂ
- Standardized safety assessment proceduresÂ
- Enhanced regional competitiveness in global marketsÂ
Future Perspectives and Regulatory Evolution
Anvisa’s commitment to regulatory modernization suggests continued evolution in:
- Digital submission processes for applicationsÂ
- Enhanced post-market surveillance systemsÂ
- Greater harmonization with international standardsÂ
- Integration with global regulatory trendsÂ
Conclusion and Recommendations
The publication of RDC 989/2025 and IN 394/2025 represents a transformative moment for Brazil’s sanitizing products sector. These regulations demonstrate Anvisa’s commitment to public health protection while facilitating market access and international competitiveness.
Key recommendations for stakeholders:
- Immediate compliance assessment against new requirementsÂ
- Strategic planning for Mercosul market opportunitiesÂ
- Investment in regulatory expertise and quality systemsÂ
- Engagement with regulatory consultants for implementation guidanceÂ
The regulatory landscape continues evolving, and successful companies will be those that proactively adapt to these changes while leveraging new opportunities for growth and market expansion.
For additional guidance and regulatory support, stakeholders should consider contacting Anvisa through official channels or engage specialized medical device consulting services familiar with Brazilian regulatory requirements.
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