Anvisa updates sanitary security rules for Brazilian airports and aircraft

Anvisa, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency, has issued Resolution No. 1.038 to update sanitary security regulations for airports and aircraft, replacing rules that have been in place since 2002. The new mandate focuses on a risk-based approach rather than a purely prescriptive one, requiring organizations to implement Quality Management Systems (QMS) to identify, prevent, and correct sanitary risks.

The regulations apply to Class III and IV airports, such as Guarulhos, Brasília, and Galeão, as well as regular passenger transport companies operating aircraft with hydraulic facilities or bathrooms. Key requirements include managing water quality, cleaning and disinfection, waste management, pest control, and health services. For airlines, specific focus is placed on the quality of onboard water, food safety, and the prevention of pests like insects or rodents.

Organizations have 24 months to fully implement these measures, though documentation and training structures must be established within 12 months. The resolution also stipulates that airports seeking to begin international operations must undergo prior sanitary evaluations by Anvisa, which may include in-person inspections. The new rules will enter into force 150 days after publication.