General Standards
Standards Organizations
The Laboratorio Tecnologico del Uruguay (LATU) is the official agency responsible for controlling standards and quality control of imports and exports. A national quality committee reviews and recommends issuance of ISO 9000/9001 certificates, if warranted.
The Uruguayan Institute of Technical Norms (UNIT) is in charge of the certification and elaboration of technical norms. UNIT is a member of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), International Organization of Standardization (ISO), International Eletrotechnical Commission (IEC), Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT) and of the MERCOSUR.
Conformity Assessment
A product can be sold on the Uruguayan market only if it meets all the applicable requirements. The conformity assessment procedure needs to be performed before the product is sold. The main objective of the conformity assessment is to ensure that unsafe or non-compliant products are not sold in Uruguay.
Conformity assessment services are provided by LATU or by private companies such as SGS (inspection, verification, testing and certification company).
Product Certification
The Uruguayan Institute of Technical Norms is the official certification body for all industries, except beef, which is certified by the National Institute of Beef.
Accreditation
Depending on the product or service, the accreditation in Uruguay is performed by LATU, UNIT, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, etc.
Useful links:
Uruguayan Technological Lab (LATU): http://www.latu.org.uy
Uruguayan Institute of Technical Norms (UNIT): http://www.unit.org.uy
National Institute of Beef (INAC): http://www.inac.gub.uy
Energy and Water Regulatory Agency: http://www.ursea.gub.uy
Ministry of Public Health: http://www.msp.gub.uy
