The Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) has published Ato nº 5314/2026 establishing new technical requirements and testing procedures for conformity assessment of lithium secondary batteries intended for stationary telecommunications applications. The regulation formally incorporates “Lithium Secondary Batteries for Stationary Applications” into ANATEL’s telecommunications product certification framework.
The new requirements apply to stationary lithium battery systems operating under medium and high discharge conditions for telecom infrastructure backup applications. Batteries covered by the regulation must operate at nominal voltages of 24 Vdc or 48 Vdc and provide a projected service life exceeding 10 years under float operation at 25 °C.
The regulation introduces mandatory certification procedures based on ABNT NBR 16975 and ABNT NBR 16976, together with references to IEC 62619 and IEC 62620 international standards. It also establishes detailed family certification criteria considering electrochemical composition, Battery Management System (BMS), power topology, operating voltage, and cell format.
Additionally, the act imposes extensive electrical, thermal, mechanical, EMC, and safety testing requirements, including tests for electrostatic discharge (ESD), surge immunity, overcurrent protection, overheating control, and thermal runaway propagation. Batteries must integrate BMS systems capable of communicating operational data and alarm conditions through at least the MODBUS communication protocol.
The regulation further introduces mandatory ANATEL homologation labeling requirements, Portuguese-language technical manuals, traceability obligations, and environmental disposal provisions aligned with Brazil’s National Solid Waste Policy. The new framework strengthens safety, reliability, interoperability, and certification controls for lithium-based telecom energy storage systems in Brazil.
This is a high-impact regulatory development because Ato nº 5314/2026 establishes mandatory technical, safety, certification, and conformity assessment requirements for lithium secondary batteries used in stationary telecommunications applications in Brazil. The regulation directly affects manufacturers, importers, testing laboratories, certification bodies, telecom infrastructure providers, and energy storage system integrators by introducing comprehensive technical obligations for telecom backup battery systems.
Key reasons for high impact:
- Mandatory Technical Compliance
- The regulation creates binding technical and testing requirements for stationary lithium batteries intended for telecommunications infrastructure applications.
- New Product Category Under ANATEL Certification
- ANATEL formally incorporates “Lithium Secondary Batteries for Stationary Applications” into the national telecom homologation framework.
- Extensive Safety and EMC Requirements
- Manufacturers must comply with mandatory electrical, thermal, mechanical, EMC, surge, ESD, overcurrent, overheating, and thermal runaway propagation testing requirements.
- BMS Communication Obligations
- The regulation requires integration of Battery Management Systems (BMS) capable of communication through at least the MODBUS protocol, including mandatory monitoring and alarm reporting functionalities.
- Certification by Battery Family
- The act introduces detailed family certification rules based on electrochemical composition, BMS configuration, operating voltage, power topology, and cell format, affecting product portfolio management and certification strategies.
- Product Design and Engineering Impact
- Manufacturers may need redesigns involving battery architecture, thermal protection, firmware, BMS integration, EMC mitigation, labeling, and safety controls to achieve compliance.
- Testing and Maintenance Burden
- The regulation imposes extensive initial testing and recurring certification maintenance cycles every three years, increasing compliance and operational costs.
- Environmental and Traceability Requirements
- The regulation introduces obligations regarding disposal instructions, technical documentation, traceability, homologation labeling, and compliance with Brazil’s National Solid Waste Policy.
- Direct Telecom Infrastructure Impact
- The requirements apply to safety-critical backup power systems supporting telecom networks, rectifiers, and critical communications infrastructure.
- Market Access Risks
- Non-compliant products may face homologation rejection, import restrictions, certification delays, or inability to access the Brazilian telecommunications market.
Who?
- Manufacturers of stationary lithium battery systems.
- Telecom infrastructure and backup power suppliers.
- Battery Management System (BMS) developers and integrators.
- Lithium battery cell manufacturers and assemblers.
- Certification bodies and accredited laboratories.
- Telecom operators and data center infrastructure providers.
- Compliance engineering and regulatory affairs teams.
- Importers and distributors of industrial lithium batteries.
- Energy storage system integrators for telecommunications applications.
Conclusion
Brazil’s Ato nº 5314/2026 represents a major regulatory modernization of technical and safety requirements applicable to lithium-based stationary energy storage systems used in telecommunications infrastructure. The introduction of mandatory certification procedures, extensive electrical and safety testing, BMS communication requirements, and recurring maintenance obligations creates substantial compliance implications for the battery and telecom sectors. Due to its mandatory nature, broad technical scope, and direct impact on critical telecom infrastructure products, this regulatory development should be considered a high-impact regulatory update for affected industries.
Regulatory Authority
Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL)
Regulatory Impact
| Impact Type | Status |
|---|---|
| Top Priority | |
| Type Certificate | |
| Spectrum Bands | |
| Import Changes (HS Codes) | |
| Standard Changes | |
| Product Changes | |
| Label Changes |