NOM Equivalency - update
On August 17, 2010, the Mexican Ministry of Economy published in Official Gazette three Decrees by that included Resolutions establishing the equality of certifications issued by identified U.S. and Canadian certification organizations, in accordance with their local standards, to those issued under the existing NOM Certification Scheme without the need for application of an NOM Mark. The certification bodies identified included Underwriters Laboratories with a scope of products including:
- Safety of Data Processing Equipment (NOM-019-SCFI-1998 - all products)
- Electronic devices for use in office (NOM-016-SCFI-1993 - all products)
- Audio/video equipment covered under NOM-001-SCFI-1993
On September 28, 2010, UL received Official Notification from Mexico's General Bureau of Standards / Dirección General de Normas (DGN) approving modifications to our Certificates of Compliance for use in Mexico. Effective immediately, UL is authorized to issue these Mexico Certificates of Compliance (Mexico CoCs), which serve as an alternate means of entry into Mexico than the NOM Mark Scheme for the above mentioned product types.
The Mexico Certificates of Compliance also offer several immediate benefits in terms of a simpler certification process, cost and time savings, including time-to-market. The CoCs eliminate duplicative product testing for the Mexico market, minimize administrative and project management efforts, and facilitate and accelerate access of your products to Mexico, as well as to United States and Canada when combined with other UL Marks.
The Mexico Certificates of Compliance will be available in English and be accompanied by a Spanish Explanation Letter of models, as applicable.
Please note that on January 26, 2013, the Mexican Supreme Court issued its resolution to the Constitutional Controversy presented by the Mexican Senate, by which it requested the Supreme Court determination on whether Equivalency Agreements issued by the Ministry of Economy's were constitutional, or whether it violated applicable laws. The Mexican Supreme Court in its plenary session decided and determined the validity of the Equivalency Agreements published on August 17, 2010; technical regulations and procedures for conformity assessment to the United States of America and Canada, as well as the twentieth amendment to the agreement that the Ministry of Economy issues rules and general criteria in foreign trade, which means that manufacturers seeking to export into Mexico are able to do so in accordance with the conditions set forth in these agreements.
On the other hand, UL is also prepared to support our customers who would like to obtain a NOM Mark under our traditional NOM Mark Program utilizing UL de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. as an approved NOM Product Certification Organization.
UL can also help our customers with the new regulations for energy consumption labeling. The new regulations require a mandatory energy consumption labeling for products and appliances distributed or sold in Mexico.
If you want more information related to the constitutional controversy and its resolution, we invite you to visit this link.
If you need more information about our services, please contact your local UL representative earlier.
If you have questions on these developments in the interim, please send them to NOMequivalency@us.ul.com. We will respond in a timely manner.
