Overview
- An ANP inspection on Jan. 14 found “grave and imminent risk,” citing underdimensioned firefighting capacity, missing gas and fire detectors, and emergency management flaws; for tank F-201B, available water flow was about 516 m³/h versus the 832 m³/h required.
- The Jan. 29 order halts all operations at the Manguinhos facility, replacing last year’s partial authorization that let storage and dispatch continue while the distillation unit stayed offline.
- To lift the ban, Refit must fix the failures, test new equipment, run emergency drills, and submit a plan within 48 hours to remove stored product.
- Refit appealed to the TRF-1 to suspend the interdiction, with a filing signed by four lawyers including Kevin de Carvalho Marques, and the case is with Judge Rafael Paulo.
- The regulator rejected the company’s claim of judicial defiance, asserting the action complies with court orders, was conducted by career staff under its police powers, and targets public safety and environmental protection.