ANVISA extends validity of national ship sanitation certificates

Update 12 May 2020: ANVISA is now renewing ship sanitation certificates remotely. Read more here.

To optimise the performance of health inspectors and resources to combat COVID-19 pandemic, on 16 April 2020, the National Agency of Health Surveillance (ANVISA) issued Resolution RDC 373/2020 to amend the National Ship and Port Health Technical Regulation (RDC 72/2009) and provide a one-off extension of 30 days of the National Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (NSSCC) and the National Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificate (NSSCEC), which are valid for 180 days and must be kept on board all Brazilian-flagged vessels sailing in national ports.

The NSSCC and NSSCEC are the domestic equivalents to the ship sanitation certificates (SSC) adopted by the World Health Organization under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), which applies to vessels sailing in international ports and is valid for 180 days, extendable only once for 30 days.

Currently, SSC renewals in Brazil are suspended because of the ongoing outbreak. ANVISA is only granting extensions for 30 days, provided there is no evidence of a public health risk on board the vessel. Vessels with an expired SSC will not receive free pratique.

SSC extensions must be arranged in advance of the expiration date due to ongoing disruptions in public services. A list of Brazilian ports authorised to renew or extend SSC under IHR 2005 is available on the WHO website.

More information on the measures adopted in Brazilian ports and airports can be found on our COVID-19 dedicated page.