Essential guide for Brazilian SMEs
Exporting to the European Union is one of the most ambitious goals for many Brazilian SMEs seeking sustainable growth and access to high value-added markets.
However, before selling to the European bloc, it is essential to understand one key point: without proper certifications, there is no export possible.
Europe operates under a complex regulatory framework, which requires technical, health and environmental compliance for all products entering the market.
Complying with these requirements is more than bureaucracy - it's what guarantees trust, competitiveness and long-term permanence.
Below is a practical and up-to-date guide to the main certifications required by the European Union, ideal for companies taking their first steps in exporting.
1) CE marking - the essential certification for access to the European market
The CE (Conformité Européenne) mark is one of the best-known certifications in the world and is mandatory for most industrialized products sold in the EU - such as electronics, machinery, toys and medical equipment.
This seal indicates that the product complies with European safety, health and environmental regulations, allowing it to circulate freely between the 27 countries of the bloc.
By applying the CE mark, the exporter or manufacturer declares that the product meets all the legal requirements of the European Union - an indispensable step for any internationalization strategy.
🔎 How to obtain: consult the base NANDOdatabase, which lists the notified bodies authorized to issue CE certifications in accordance with the applicable directives (e.g. Directive 2006/42/EC for machinery).
2) Environmental and sustainability certifications
The European Green Deal and the new Environmental Due Diligence Regulation have reinforced the EU's commitment to sustainable production chains.
Environmental certifications have therefore become an essential competitive differentiator for exporters.
Main recognized seals:
- EU Ecolabel - distinguishes products with environmental excellence, such as cosmetics, detergents, textiles and paper.
- PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) - measures the product's standardized environmental footprint throughout its life cycle.
- ISCC PLUS - certifies circular and bio-traceable chains, widely used in biofuels, chemicals and natural ingredients.
Certified companies tend to be prioritized by European importers and distributors who follow ESG policies and sustainable purchasing criteria.
3) Sanitary and phytosanitary certifications
Exporters of food, drink, cosmetics or agricultural products need to prove sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance - one of the certifications most closely monitored by the EU.
Examples of requirements:
- Cosmetics and supplements → prior registration with European databases before marketing.
- Food and drink → compliance with EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) regulations on labeling, language, additives and shelf life.
- Plant products → phytosanitary certificates issued by MAPA and accepted by the country of destination.
🔎 Consult the Access2Markets portal to identify all the certifications and technical requirements demanded by your product's NCM code.
4) Certification of origin EUR.1 - proving origin and tariff benefits
The EUR.1 certificate of origin is one of the fundamental customs certifications for those who export.
It proves the preferential origin of the goods and allows them to benefit from reduced tariffs or exemptions within the agreements between Mercosur and the European Union or the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Issued by the customs authorities or via self-certification, the EUR.1 certifies that the product complies with the established rules of origin and guarantees preferential tariff treatment, reducing the final cost on the European market.
5) Technical approval and conformity tests
Some products require additional technical certification, with laboratory tests carried out by accredited bodies in the EU.
This process guarantees that the product complies with European safety, performance and consumer protection directives.
Main steps:
- Identify the applicable directive (e.g. machinery, electronics, medical devices).
- Select the accredited body via NANDO.
- Submit samples to compliance tests.
- Issue the declaration of conformity and apply the CE marking.
Technical approval is the stage that transforms industrial quality into international confidence.
Next steps for those who want to export:
- Search for requirements on Access2Markets and the European Union's TARIC database.
- Make a technical and regulatory diagnosis of your product.
- Plan to obtain compulsory and complementary certifications.
- Search consulting firm specializing in foreign trade and european compliance.
Certifications are the first step towards internationalization
Certifications to export to the European Union represent much more than a technical requirement: they are tools for positioning and global credibility.
Companies that invest in regulatory compliance from the outset reduce risks, avoid trade barriers and increase their international growth potential.
Complying with European norms and standards is a long-term strategy, not a cost - it's what differentiates those who "sell once" from those who establish themselves as reliable partners in Europe.
Talk to us and understand how our business model can accelerate your entry and consolidation in the European market.
