The new NR-10, published by MTE Ordinance nº 737/2026, reinforces the prevention of electrical accidents in civil construction. The standard integrates electrical risks into Occupational Risk Management (GRO) and the Risk Management Program (PGR), provided for in NR-1, and comes into force on June 1, 2027. For CBIC, the update is a step forward in protecting workers, but requires planning from companies. The sector experiences one of the highest rates of workplace accidents in the country, and incidents involving electricity are among the most serious — hence the importance of treating the issue rigorously from the project onwards.
What changes with the new NR-10
The main change is the incorporation of electrical risks into the GRO/PGR, which obliges companies to treat electricity within the general safety plan of the work. The text also requires incident energy studies to assess the risk of electric arcs and reinforces that disconnecting the circuit must always be the first measure to eliminate the danger.
The standard also provides for the use of differential-residual devices (DDR) in specific areas of buildings. For wet areas of existing non-residential buildings, the adaptation period was extended until June 1, 2028.
- Electrical risk integrated into the NR-1 GRO/PGR
- Incident energy studies for arc flash risk
- Circuit shutdown as the first safety measure
- Mandatory DDR in wet areas of buildings
- Electrical projects under the responsibility of qualified professionals
- Criteria for face-to-face training and practical training
Another highlight is the rigor required of electrical projects, which now require formal technical responsibility from legally qualified professionals. The update also establishes objective criteria for face-to-face practical training and training, with specific workloads, which changes the way teams are qualified on construction sites and at construction sites.
Impacts for construction companies and designers
According to David Fratel, vice-president of CBIC's Labor Relations Policy Committee (CPRT), the changes will have a direct impact on the projects. They must prioritize studies of incident energy, details of grounding systems, equipotentialization schemes and the correct dimensioning of protection and sectioning devices.
During the transition period, companies will need to review internal procedures, update documents and plan training. This may require adjustments to installation schedules and, in some cases, the execution of works. Small and medium-sized companies tend to feel the impact more intensely, both due to investments in old infrastructure and the need to free up professionals for in-person training without compromising productivity.
CBIC's guidance is to take advantage of the period until June 2027 to organize investments in a staggered manner. Reviewing a set of projects at a time, prioritizing higher-risk installations, allows costs to be distributed across the annual budget and prevents all adjustments from being concentrated close to the standard's entry into force.
How to prepare before June 2027
CBIC's recommendation is that designers, installers and construction companies start preparations now. Among the necessary measures are the review of projects and the Electrical Installations Record (PIE), the alignment of risk inventories, the adequacy of operational procedures and the organization of mandatory training.
The PIE is the document that brings together the memory of the company's electrical installations and needs to be updated to prove compliance in inspections. Reviewing single-line diagrams, panel descriptions and maintenance records is part of this adaptation. The use of digital documentation tools speeds up this survey and reduces update errors.
Computer-aided design tools help you review electrical schematics, update plumbs, and document installations more quickly. Check out engineering software options at CanalVIP catalog.
Next steps for your company
The new NR-10 comes into force on June 1, 2027, and the transition period is the ideal window to organize investments, review processes and train teams. Those who start now avoid concentrating all changes on the eve of the deadline and reduce the risk of fines and construction embargoes.
Start with the diagnosis: assess the current state of the facilities, compare them with the new NR-10 requirements and create an adaptation schedule by priority. Node CanalVIP catalog, you will find CAD, BIM and engineering software to modernize your projects and adapt to new requirements efficiently.