Volume 5, Number 10, Page 4

Standardization Guidelines

A question-answer guide written by Mexico's Nafta Office in Washington, D.C.

Q: What is the framework for standardization in Mexico?

A: The 1992 Law on Standardization and Metrology establishes the guidelines for developing and updating standards. In April 1997, amendments to the law simplified the standard elaboration process by substituting the previous cost-benefit analysis with a regulatory impact statement. These amendments also introduced the principle of equivalency for official mandatory standards (NOM) that require the use of specific raw materials, equipment, processes, testing methods or technologies.

Q: What types of standards are in effect?

A: There are two types of standards: official mandatory standards (NOM) and voluntary standards (NMX). By conforming to these standards, Mexican producers manufacture competitive goods and improve their production process while consumers have access to safe and high quality products and services.

Q: What agency is responsible for standard elaboration?

A: The National Commission for Normalization (CNN) is responsible for developing standards. SECOFI’s General Direction of Standards (DGN) acts as the permanent secretariat. It opens communication channels for Mexican producers as well as those parties interested in participating in the Mexican market. It also offers information on standard-related aspects of Mexico’s trade agreements such as NAFTA and WTO, and notifies Mexico’s trading partners about technical regulations and standards in effect and those being developed.

Q: What is the process for elaborating a NOM?

A: 1. A committee prepares a project. 2. The project is published in the Mexican Diario Oficial for public comments (60 days). 3. NOM is adopted.

Q: Do products imported into Mexico have to comply with Mexico’s NOMs?

A: NOMs are applied equally to domestic and imported products. NOMs are enforced at the point of sale. Imports have to comply with a NOM at the port of entry only when SECOFI’s tariff decree includes the specific product.

Q: What are SECOFI’s certification policies?

A: Periodical test: a laboratory verifies a product through periodical or random inspection. Certificates are valid for one year. Quality system: a laboratory verifies the adoption of a quality system in the production line. Certificates for production processes are valid for two years. Product report: a summary of a good for the producer. The certificate is valid for one year. This certification process offers an enormous benefit because with only one report thousands of certificates can be issued. A copy of the quality system’s certificate or the laboratory test is required to obtain a product report.

Q: Who certifies?

A: Conformity assessment is carried out by a private certification body. In the event a private agency does not exist, the competent authority is responsible.

This information is provided by Mexico/s Nafta Office.