Mexico National Standardization Plan
The Secretariat of Economy (SE), through the General Directorate of Standards (Dirección General de Normas, or DGN), is the organization with the authority to manage and coordinate standards development in Mexico. The Secretariat’s authority is derived from the Federal Metrology and Standardization Law (Ley Federal de MetrologÃa y Normalización, or LFMN). In accordance with the LFMN, the National Standardization Plan (Programa Nacional de Normalización, or PNN) is the official document used to plan, inform, and coordinate standardization activities, both public and private, carried out by the Mexican Government. The PNN is published annually in Mexico’s Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de la Federación, or DOF).
The LFMN and its implementing regulation establish a timeframe for each step of the NOM-making process (development, draft publication in the DOF, and publication of modified and definitive technical regulations and standards) and within the PNN framework. The actual NOM-making period, however, is based on various factors. These include the complexity of the topic and the inherent uncertainty about the amount of time needed for each step in the process (i.e. publishing period in the DOF, draft response, comments, and final technical regulation).
Any bureau, person, or council can propose the creation or modification of a NOM to the appropriate committee. Federal agencies wanting to propose a new NOM must create a committee, known as a National Standardization Advisory Committees (Comités Consultivos Nacionales de Normalización, or CCNNs). The committee drafts the NOM and registers it in the PNN. Then the draft NOM is published in the DOF for a 60-day comment period. After the comment period, the CCNN analyzes the comments, publishes them in the DOF, and authorizes the final NOM. This link provides a PDF copy of the 2020 Mexico National Standardization Program:
U.S. entities can participate in the process in several ways. They can:
- Review the PNN to learn about proposed standards;
- Participate in the applicable technical working group (requires physical presence); Submit comments during the 60-day public consultation period; and solicit the creation, modification, or cancellation of technical regulations and standards (NOM and NMX) to the appropriate government office or to a National Standardization Body.
For more information contact office.mexicocity@trade.gov.