Recently, ANATEL conveyed important updates on certificate renewal to the OCD Committee, announcing that it will strictly implement the provisions of Resolution No. 715 of 2019 that certificates cannot be renewed after expiration for more than 180 days (i.e. 6 months). 

Part VII of the resolution details the conditions for suspension and cancellation of the certificate of conformity, which include:

I - failure of the party concerned to make the necessary adjustments to the certified product in accordance with the revision or publication of the technical standards applicable to the certified product;

II - failure of the party concerned to comply with the terms of the subsequent contract signed with the designated certification body for periodic product evaluation or maintenance of the manufacturer's management system after the product has been certified for telecommunications;

III - use of the certificate by the party concerned to disclose product characteristics that have not been evaluated;

IV - use of any form of certification publicity by the party concerned that could lead third parties to mistakenly believe that the certified product is different from the actual certified product;

V - failure to certify the product regularly in accordance with the conditions provided for in this Regulation for a period exceeding 180 (one hundred and eighty) days or failure to carry out maintenance verification, whichever occurs first;

VI - when irregularities related to the certification of telecommunications products are discovered, as determined by Anatel; or

VII - at the request of the holder.

According to Article 53 of the resolution, the certificate must be cancelled if the problem has not been corrected after 180 days of suspension or if reasons duly accepted by the certification body have not been provided.

Despite the longstanding provisions of the resolution, ANATEL has not previously strictly enforced it, allowing certificates that have been expired for years to continue to exist, after we have successfully renewed multiple certificates that have been expired for more than 180 days without encountering obstruction. This shift in ANATEL's enforcement stance caught all parties, including OCD, off guard.

For certificates that have expired for more than 180 days, they must now apply for new projects, including retesting and applying for a new ANATEL ID number.

ANATEL is currently reviewing the renewal projects that OCD has signed, and whether to accept the renewal is pending a final decision. We will closely monitor and keep our customers informed of the latest developments.

This policy change requires relevant companies to take a more rigorous attitude towards certificate management, ensure timely updates, and avoid unnecessary costs and process complications.