Access to the Mexican Market

In Mexico, NOMs are mandatory technical regulations applied according to product group. A frequently overlooked aspect of the regime is that labelling is itself a separate NOM matter: even if a product meets the safety NOM, a shipment that does not meet the Spanish-language labelling requirements can be held at customs.

• Testing is as a rule carried out in accredited laboratories within the country; acceptance of foreign reports varies by standard and is limited.
• Labelling is subject to its own mandatory standard; the Spanish commercial information label is a separate conformity subject.
• Radio approval is granted by a separate authority; a product safety certificate does not satisfy it.
• The certificate is obtained through an importer established in the country and its scope is limited to the model and manufacturer.
• Certificates obtained for other markets in North America are not directly valid; the mandatory official standards require their own evidence.

• NOMs are mandatory technical regulations; multiple NOMs may apply to a product
• Labelling is a separate NOM matter and is inspected at customs
• Certification is carried out by an accredited body
• Tests are conducted at accredited laboratories in Mexico or under mutual recognition
• Radio and telecom equipment is subject to IFT homologation
• Certificate scope is defined on a model basis

An importer resident in Mexico is required, and the NOM certificate is mostly issued in the importer's name. Importer information is mandatory on the Spanish-language label; therefore, label design cannot be finalized without first determining the distribution partner.

• NOM
• IFT

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• A Spanish-language label is mandatory: product name, country of origin, importer information, and warnings
• The NOM certificate is presented at customs
• The homologation number is shown on products within IFT scope
• Energy efficiency NOMs additionally apply to products within their scope
• The label is expected to be applied before customs clearance

• Not knowing that the labelling NOM is a separate obligation
• Printing the label without importer information
• Incompletely determining the NOMs applicable to the product
• Skipping IFT homologation
• Shipping model variants not included in the certificate scope