Electrical & Electronics — Panama

Panama implements mandatory access certification for electrical and electronic products, managed by DGNTI (Directorate General of Standards and Industrial Technology) under the Panamanian Industrial Technology Standards Commission, also known as COPANIT certification. It is a legal requirement for electrical and electronic products to enter the Panamanian market. The certification covers six major categories including household appliances, information technology equipment, lighting products, electric tools, etc. Since 2023, this mandatory requirement also applies to electrical and electronic products imported via cross-border e-commerce. Holding a CB test report issued by an ILAC-accredited body can significantly shorten the certification cycle. The certificate is valid for three years, and annual supervision audits are required.

The core regulatory framework is Panama Law No. 23. All electrical and electronic products imported and marketed in Panama must obtain officially recognized conformity certification before completing customs clearance and entering market circulation, and uncertified products are prohibited from sale.

Standard System: Adopts Panamanian national standards NTP which are equivalent transformations of IEC international standards. Plug specifications must comply with the requirements of NTP 311.009 standard. Electrical Safety: Safety tests including insulation withstand voltage, grounding continuity, temperature rise, mechanical strength, etc. must be completed. Due to Panama's tropical climate, an additional requirement to pass the high temperature and high humidity environmental durability test is mandatory. Electromagnetic Compatibility: Must comply with CISPR 22/32 disturbance limits, IEC 61000-3-2 harmonic requirements, and IEC 61000-4-2 electrostatic immunity requirements. Marking Requirements: Products must provide compliant Spanish label information.