The most important thing to remember when bringing new products to the Mexican market concerns the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM). These official Mexican standards are often referred to as normas or NOMs and are the blueprint that a company must follow in order to import their products into the company. The official regulations and standards contained with the NOMs are compulsory. Businesses must be compliant with each applicable regulation that covers their particular activity in order to be cleared to sell their items anywhere in the country. Once cleared, the business’s products receive a certification as well as an official NOM mark that serves as evidence of its compliance.

Electronic Certification Symbols

Electronic and electrical products must undergo a process during which they are tested to ensure their compliance with the standards the Mexican governmental agency in charge of the NOMs has established. The presence of various electronic certification symbols is an indication that a particular product has met the applicable standards. This can help ease the process of obtaining the NOM certification that is necessary before any foreign goods can be sold in the country.

Below is a list of the electronic certification symbols that a company is likely to need to be aware of when it comes to obtaining their NOM certification. It is important to remember, though, that the following list is not considered to be inclusive. Regulations and requirements can often change and with little notice so it’s crucial for businesses to partner with a NOM expert who can guide them through the process.

• Underwriters Laboratories Mark

The capital letters, “UL,” that are offset and surrounded by a circle is one of the most commonly seen certification symbols. Typically based on the safety standards established by the Underwriters Laboratories, this presence of this mark indicates that the organization has tested a sample of the product and found it to meet its requirements. Common products that are affixed with this mark include a range of computer equipment, home appliances and safety systems such as carbon and smoke detectors.

• International “emc-Mark”

The Underwriters Laboratory also established the International “emc-Mark” for those products that have been tested to meet the requirements of several countries including the United States, Australia, Japan and Europe. There are a number of products that subject to this type of testing such as radio-controlled equipment, medical equipment, televisions, microwave ovens and computers.

• VDE Mark

The VDE Mark is given to those appliances that have conformed with the standards established by VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies in regards to the particular directives that are applicable to the product. If a business has products that could potentially contain radiological, electrical, toxic, thermal, mechanical or other hazards of this type, it could require a VDE mark.

• CE

The CE mark is an indication that a particular product meets the applicable directives that the European Union requires it to meet prior to the receipt of the symbol. Though the manufacturer of the product itself is responsible for the CE mark, it is possible to authorize a representative to ensure that these requirements are met and maintained.

• NOM Mark

The NOM mark is distinctive in that it contains the three letters: NOM in between two horizontal black lines. Without this mark on display on a particular product, it will not be allowed past customs. This can, and likely will, result in significant delays in getting the product to the point of sale.

Certain categories of imported products require the NOM mark and/or NOM certification before they can be sold in Mexico. All consumer electronics, medical devices, information technology equipment, industrial control equipment, lighting products and wire and cable are the categories that must conform to the regulations established by NOM.

The process of obtaining a NOM mark is one that can be long and arduous. The decision regarding the application for a NOM certificate and/or NOM mark relies on the technical foundations of the product, the lab testing results, information obtained during follow-up, the compliance evaluation and other available data.

Partnering with NOMExperts provides companies with a professional team that is well-versed and experience regarding the NOM process from start to finish. From native Spanish speakers and a team that has decades of experience to hands-on expertise regarding the sales side of the business and the challenges companies face when bringing their products to Mexico, NOMExperts provides businesses with unparelled and comprehensive services.

The Mexico regulatory authority is the Secretaria de la Economia (Mexican Economic Secretariat). This governmental agency is tasked with upholding the measurements that objectively indicate if a company is in compliance with the safety and health standards. These have been established to protect the health and safety of those people who are using a particular product. Another to ensure that a company complies with the Mexican NOMs is in the event that something does go wrong. The company is required to present contact information, warranty documentation and other information that could be of use to the consumers who are using its products. 

Compliance With NOMs is Mandatory

One aspect of compliance with NOMs is that each imported product that is designed to be sold commercially within Mexico must have an appropriate label in Spanish on them. This labeling must be completed prior to the products entering the country. While there are items that must be on this label that is specific to a particular product, the following are some general guidelines that provide interested parties with an overview of the information that is often required: 

• The products contents as well as any ingredients that were used in its creation
• The name of the company that produced or manufactured the product
• The physical address of the business or the importing company
• The instructions for the items use and/or care
• The product’s trademark or commercial name
• The exporter’s name, if it is different than the product’s manufacturer
• Any warning that might be applicable to the product, its handling or any other situation when it might be dangerous

The process of meeting the NOM requirements can seem daunting — and for good reason. Though there is a largely untapped market for numerous items in Mexico, government officials have made it clear that companies must be prepared to ensure that their products comply or risk the lengthy and often time-consuming process of addressing each inadequacy. 

Working with a consultation expert provides a company with numerous advantages including the following: 

• Technical requirements

The NOMs are comprised of highly-technical requirements. In some cases, the language might not directly translate to English. A failure to understand a regulation does not absolve a company from meeting the requirements stated within them. Being able to break down these technical requirements for a company so it can more easily meet them save time, money and frustration. 

• Language barriers

While much of the information that a business finds on the official government sites regarding the requirements for NOM is in English, the technical regulations often are not. If this documentation is available in English, it’s likely that it is not the most up-to-date information that’s available. Adhering to NOM certification that is outdated could potentially cost a business valuable time, energy and other resources. 

• Complex problems

Importing a product into another country like Mexico from the United States is a situation that could potentially be fraught with complex problems. Manufacturers and other companies who attempt to tackle this undertaking without the assistance of an experience NOM expert soon come to realize that doing so could have saved them countless headaches and hours of worry. 

It’s important though, to choose a NOM expert that has both the experience and the expertise to help foreign brands enter the lucrative Mexican market.  Choosing the right NOM expert means having a bilingual team on the ground working on a company’s interests in meeting the Mexico NOM certification requirements. 

In addition, having a quick turnaround time is crucial when getting products to the Mexican market. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience on the sales and supply side of the equation, AIS Compliance & Service is poised to provide the NOM consultation services that today’s businesses need to successfully import their products into Mexico. 

A small company that prides itself on designing smart compliance solutions for their clients, AIS Compliance & Service knows how urgent obtaining a NOM certification is. Because they have the necessary power of attorney from key self-service centers in Mexico, AIS Compliance & Service doesn’t delay in issuing both certifications and certificates. 

The Direccion General de Normas (DGN) — also known as the Mexican Bureau of Standards — coordinates and manages activities related to standardization in Mexico through the Secretariat of Economy (SE). This authority stems from a federal law that was enacted in 1988 that was designed to give interested parties and the public better access and greater transparency to the process of standards development. The Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM) — or Mexican Official Standards — are technical regulations and requirements issued by government agencies that must be complied with.

Products Requiring NOM Certification

These regulations served as a method for companies to tap into the Mexican market and sell their products in stores and other venues throughout the country. There are numerous products in nearly all industries that require compliance with NOM labeling so they’ll be allowed to cross at the border. These include leather goods, general merchandise, food and non-alcoholic beverages, toys and textiles. The following NOM labels indicate compliance with the Mexican standards:

• NOM-050: General Merchandise
• NOM-015: Toys
• NOM-051: Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
• NOM-004: Textiles
• NOM-020: Leather Goods
• NOM-024: Electric/Electronics

Certain products also require NOM certification. There are three categories that require a NOM certificate: electronic products, wireless technology and electrical products. In order to demonstrate their compliance with the NOM standards, these products must have a NOM mark that the Mexican customs officials can check as they enter the country at the border with the United States.

The NOM mark is issued only in the distributor, manufacturer or importer of record for the product. It is valid for one year

NOM Standards

In some aspects, the NOM standards mirror those standards that are used internationally. This accreditation process regarding the consistency of Mexico’s standards with those internationally went into effect in 2001. The Ministry of Economy released an executive order in 2010 that recognized certain Canadian and United States certifications as being equivalent to those required by NOM.

NOM Certification

The three primary product categories for NOM center on those with electrical, electronics or telecommunications equipment. Some examples of products within each category requiring NOM certification follow:

• NOM-003: Electrical Products. These include — but are not limited to — wiring devices, power supply cords, attachment plugs, receptacles, hospital grade devices, electrode holders and circuit breakers.
• NOM-001: Electronic Products: Electronic products include items such as freezers, clothes washers, televisions, microwaves, air conditioners and motor-operated tools, among many consumer electronics.
• NOM 208: Wireless Technology. Telecommunications products fall under this NOM. Some examples include digital data transmitters, LAN systems, analog data transmitters, WAN systems and those products that can be connected to the Public Telecom Network (PTN) before receiving, converting, processing and transmitting signals.

Obtaining NOM Certification

There are numerous steps and regulations that must be completed before any product can obtain a NOM certification. From the correct forms to the required testing, the process can seem like it’s designed to discourage importers from selling their products to the Mexican market. In reality, though, Mexico is simply trying to protect its citizens by ensuring that each product has been tested for safety and compliance of its standards.

At AIS Compliance & Service, they’re NOM experts! Importers can tap into the team’s experience on the sales and supply side. With each member having more than 20 years of experience, AIS Compliance & Service has the proven capability of devising smart compliance solutions that meet each client’s unique needs.

From connecting clients with vetted third-party testing facilities — a requirement for NOM certification — to the verification of the necessary commercial information, AIS Compliance & Service works closely with each one and guides them through every step of the way. Allow their bilingual experts help you make sense of the Mexican NOMs in English and the Electronic Certification Symbols so you don’t have to worry about missing a crucial detail, deadline or requirement.

As a small and aggressive company, AIS Compliance & Service understands the urgency that’s behind their clients’ decision to seek NOM certification. Contact them today and learn how they can help your brand expand into the Mexican market. 

The Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) certification is a set of regulations and standards that are required by the Mexican government for a number of diverse activities. Every product that enters Mexico must meet the requirements outlined in NOM. Electrical products must meet additional mandatory requirements regarding energy efficiency. Prior exports being allowed to enter the country, they must be compliant with these regulations and must have a NOM mark.

Products Requiring NOM Certification

The products that require a NOM certification are diverse and span many different industries. Some sectors, such as electronics and electrical equipment, have more stringent requirements than others. Below is a partial list of the types of products that require a NOM certification:

• Tools operated by a motor
• Telecommunication items designed to connect to the Public Switched Telephone Network such as E1, ISDN and POTS
• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
• Wiring devices
• Telecommunication products like WAN, LAN, digital, etc
• Household appliances such as freezers, clothes dryers and refrigerators

NOM Certification Requirements

The correct form for obtaining a NOM certification must be used. A NOM certification is only granted by the Mexican government to manufacturers, importers and sellers from countries that the government has a free trade treaty or an agreement regarding trade. First-time applicants must provide two original service agreement copies that have been signed on each page and section.

Agents, handling companies and/or intermediaries must have copies of both the power of attorney documentation and service agreements. These must be signed — and initialed where applicable — by the certificate owner, manufacturer or importer. A legal representative of this person can also be the signer of these documents. Only those persons included in the power of attorney documentation will receive communications regarding the NOM certification. It is this person who became responsible for the product’s maintenance, liability and warranty. Although a NOM certification can’t be transferred, a holder can provide the usage rights to distributors in Mexico. These entities can then receive a NOM certification of their own but without any additional testing.

It’s important to note that any application receipts obtained by the applicant don’t guarantee that a NOM certification will be forthcoming. A notification outlining any non-compliancy issues or deficiencies that are found will be sent. These issues must be appropriately addressed before the certification process can restart once again.

NOM Certification Testing

NOM certification testing is an important element of this process. There are requirements regarding testing that must be followed or it could result in the application for certification being denied. Any laboratory that is being used to issue test reports much be either validated or subcontracted by UL de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

When generating test results under a mutual recognition agreement (MRA), one of the following two pieces of documentation must also be submitted. If the test results were generated and validated by a subcontracted laboratory and were based on original test results. These can be added to the subcontracted laboratory’s validation form. Another option is to include the original validation letter and test results that were issued by the laboratory as long as it has a signed agreement with UL de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.