Between January 6 and 10, 2025, the Brazilian Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (Inmetro), in partnership with delegated bodies in the states and their superintendencies in Goiás and Rio Grande do Sul, carried out Operation Safe Classes. The main objective of the action was to verify compliance with Inmetro Ordinance No. 423/2021, which establishes requirements to guarantee the safety and quality of school materials sold in bookstores and stationery stores.
During the operation, 432,708 products were inspected throughout Brazil, and 32,031 were found to be irregular. Among the items with the highest non-conformity rate were ballpoint pens and rollers, totaling 19,480 irregular units (21.35%), and felt-tip pens (hydrocor), with 4,325 units (12.05%), both outside the required technical standards.
According to the president of Inmetro, Márcio André Brito, inspections occur throughout the year, with greater intensity during the back-to-school period. “Our commitment is to guarantee that products available on the market comply with technical regulations, protecting consumers, especially children. Operation Safe Classes reinforces our work to combat the sale of irregular items, which can pose health risks,” said Brito.
Awareness and Safety
In addition to identifying and removing from the market products that do not meet safety standards, the operation also sought to raise awareness among manufacturers, traders, and consumers about the importance of purchasing certified items. Compliant products receive the Inmetro seal, which guarantees their safety and quality.
Inspected Products
During the operation, several school items were evaluated, including:
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- Sharpeners
- Erasers
- Ballpoint pens and rollers (with manufactured barrel and refill)
- Hydrographic pens (markers)
- Liquid or solid glues
- Correction pens (adhesive or ink)
- Crayons (except for blackboards)
- Colored pencils (except for artistic or professional use)
- Black or graphite pencils (except for artistic or professional use)
- Mechanical pencils (except with lead greater than 1.6 mm)
- Highlighters
- Lunch boxes and accessories (sandwich holders, thermoses)
- Folders with elastic flaps (plastic or cardboard)
- Rulers
- Rounded-tip scissors
- School paints (gouache, India ink, watercolor, finger paint, except for artistic use)
- School chairs and tables for individual sets.
Consumer guidelines
If the consumer suspects irregularities in school materials or other products, they can register a complaint with the Inmetro Ombudsman’s Office, via the website https://www.gov.br/inmetro/pt-br/canais_atendimento/ouvidoria or by calling toll-free 0800 285 1818 (only available for landlines), from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
In the event of an accident or incident with a product, the consumer must report what happened to Sinmac – Inmetro Consumer Accident Monitoring System, on the Inmetro Services Portal: www.sinmac.inmetro.gov.br.