Mexico · Global Market Access
Entering the Mexican Market: IFT Homologation
Homologation for telecommunications and radio equipment.
- Market
- Mexico
- Site
- Latin America
- Mark
- IFT
01What is it?
The IFT is responsible for the homologation of telecommunications and radio equipment in Mexico. Devices within scope cannot be offered to the market without homologation.
02Why Does This Scheme Exist?
In Mexico the approval of radio and telecommunications equipment is administered by an independent telecommunications authority. The authority's competence arises from spectrum management and the protection of network integrity; it is entirely separate from the product safety arrangement.
The approval rests on testing the product to the relevant technical regulation and on assessment by an approved body. Testing is carried out in laboratories accepted by the authority; under certain conditions foreign laboratory reports can be accepted, and this makes the arrangement more flexible than some regimes in the region.
An approval number is allocated to an approved product and that number must be visible on the product or on its screen. The approval is issued in the name of a party established in the country; a foreign manufacturer cannot be the approval holder directly.
The scope covers not only radio transmitters but also terminal equipment connected to the public network. A product can be assessed separately on both items and the scope of the approval states this.
Frequency allocations are national; the band plan and permitted power levels may differ from neighbouring markets. A radio approval obtained in another market is therefore not considered valid, although part of the test data can be reused.
03Whose Obligation?
The application is made through a party established in Mexico; the homologation is issued in that party's name.
04Required Documents
- A test report to the IFT rules
- Device description, frequency and power details
- Technical file
- Spanish user manual
- The homologation application documents
05Process
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
- 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
- 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.
- 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.
- 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.
06Points to Watch
- NOM and IFT are separate processes; for a wireless electrical product both may be required
- The homologation number is shown on the product
- FCC test data can be used in the application but is not accepted directly
07Neighbouring Schemes and the Difference
- 01Radio approval and the mandatory product standardsThese are two separate authorities and separate evidence; radio approval does not satisfy the product safety certificate and the reverse is also true.
- 02Transmitters and network terminalsA radio transmitter and a terminal connected to the public network are separate items; a product can be subject to both.
- 03Mexican approval and neighbouring markets' approvalsThe band plans may differ; an approval cannot be transferred but part of the test data can be reused.
- 04Approval ownershipThe approval is issued in the name of a party established in the country and that party is the authority's counterpart.
08Scheme Detail
There is no separate certification page for this mark; the scope and process are as described on this page. The roadmap specific to your product is provided in writing at the quote stage.
09Other Marks in the Mexico Market
10Frequently Asked Questions
This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.
The certification timeline varies with the product, the required test workload, sample shipping time and the authority's workload; for this reason, no duration in days or weeks is given on these pages. The main factors determining the timeline are: whether testing must be performed in the target country, whether a factory audit is required, the time to appoint a local representative, and the current maturity of the technical file. A realistic timeline for your product is provided in writing at the quote stage.
Market access regimes change frequently: scope lists are updated, transition periods are extended, new requirements are added. These pages describe the structure of the regime and who bears the obligation; the applicable scope and dates for your product are confirmed from the current legislative text at the quote stage.
Mexico · IFT roadmap for
Tell us about your product; we'll share the required steps, documents and timeline in writing.