BMWK delegation meets Brazilian stakeholders

Boris Böhme and Thorsten Lindner, representatives of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, visited both Rio de Janeiro and Brasília where they met with the respective partners and discussed cooperation on quality infrastructure (QI) within Brazil.

In Rio de Janeiro, from 8 to 12 June, Böhme and Lindner met representatives of the Brazilian National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro), the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau - VDMA) and high-ranking representatives of the industry.

In Brasília, BMWK and GPQI organised meetings with the Brazilian Ministry of Economy (ME), the National Industry Confederation (CNI) and important QI institutions, such as Inmetro and the Brazilian Technical Standards Association (ABNT).

BMWK discusses cooperation status with Inmetro

During the trip to Rio de Janeiro, the delegation visited the Inmetro campus in Xerém. They held a meeting highlighting the status of cooperation within the Global Project Quality Infrastructure (GPQI).

Inmetro representatives talked about the importance of international cooperation: It generates technical inputs from specialists on regulations and modernises the Brazilian QI system. As part of this modernisation process, technical regulations are updated, and standards are adopted within these regulations. Inmetro also addressed the challenges of conformity assessment programmes concerning sustainability and emerging technologies. The German-Brazilian QI Dialogue aims to facilitate this process, focusing on transparency and the interests of society as a whole.

To achieve the designations of the Economic Freedom Act (Law 13.874/2019), Inmetro is actively bringing the best regulatory practices to Brazil through the quality infrastructure dialogue. By partaking in the debate on electromobility, carbon footprints, digital certification, market surveillance and risk assessment, Inmetro and GPQI work for a prospective cooperation on industry and market trends.

ABNT and CNI share their inputs on circular economy with BMWK

During the trip to Brasília, Böhme and Lindner met important industry representatives to further discuss industry and market trends. In this context, ABNT and CNI brought forth the topic of circular economy and emphasised the importance of a digital transformation to implement it.

For both sides, the debate on sustainability, alternative energy sources and the application of technology in the product cycle is of dire importance. It is essential to consider the topics of quality infrastructure and climate action together by establishing standards and product conformity that contribute to climate protection.

The experts advocated for a circular economy which encompasses standards and regulations to promote safe and balanced economic development. To achieve it, using digitalisation, eco-design and data is of great value. Equally important are the applications of wind and solar energy, alongside green hydrogen systems. They can take electromobility to the next level.

To achieve this, the industry needs a strong and comprehensive QI system that not only supports the development of these technologies and innovations, but also brings in the best international practices. Therefore, GPQI serves as a platform for dialogues on standardisation and digitalisation.

Digital health, Industrie 4.0 and 5G are key topics to ME

Lastly, in Brasília, the BMWK delegation met with representatives of their partner ministry ME, to further discuss the implementation of the 2021-2022 Work Plan of the bilateral QI dialogue. They also addressed important topics they want to tackle together, such as digitalisation and the implementation of new technologies.

The Secretariat for Economic Monitoring, Competition and Competitiveness Advocacy (SEAE) at ME raised the topic of digital health. They highlighted common challenges for advancing and implementing digital health, both in Germany and Brazil. These challenges include the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and data protection as well as the further development of interoperability and health software.

Knowledge sharing between different industries, countries and international organisations is key to the progress of digital health. According to Andrey Freitas, Undersecretary of Competition Advocacy at SEAE, “multisectoral initiatives, such as international dialogues and cooperation, are key to a successful implementation of digital health”.

The delegation also visited the Secretariat of Innovation and Micro and Small Enterprises (SIMPE) where they exchanged views on Industrie 4.0 and 5G networks. They stressed that standards are needed for digitalisation and interoperability to reduce market fragmentation. Besides, standards also promote innovation within 5G. In this regard it is important to include the perspectives of SMEs: emerging technologies should always be adapted to them.

QI is of utmost importance for Digital health, Industrie 4.0 and 5G. Therefore, GPQI serves as a platform for dialogue and innovation to continue the partnership between both countries and ministries.