Dear clients and friends,
With the aim of keeping you informed of regulatory developments that may affect your operations, particularly those involving foreign trade, we share that on September 4, 2026, the Decree issuing the Regulations to the Quality Infrastructure Law was published in the Federal Official Gazette (DOF). The Regulations entered into force on September 7, 2026, and repeal the Regulations to the former Federal Law on Metrology and Standardization. This new framework redefines how products imported, exported and marketed in Mexico are certified, verified and monitored.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. What is the Regulation to the Quality Infrastructure Law?
It is the legal instrument that develops and operationalizes the Quality Infrastructure Law, in force since 2020, replacing the former metrology and standardization regime and providing legal certainty to the National Quality Infrastructure System.
2. What is the most relevant change for businesses?
The Normas Mexicanas (NMX) figure is replaced by Estándares (Standards), to be issued by National Standardization Bodies through Technical Standardization Committees. Mandatory Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOMs) remain in force and continue to be the core requirement for importing regulated products.
3. What happens to existing Normas Mexicanas (NMX)?
The Regulations grant a 36-month period (Sixth Transitory Article) for National Standardization Bodies, Accreditation Entities and Standardizing Authorities to convert existing NMX into Standards. Once this period expires, the Ministry of Economy may declare the cancellation of those not converted.
4. How does this affect the import of regulated products?
Products subject to a NOM must satisfy the applicable sampling, testing, inspection, evaluation and certification procedures before customs clearance. The Regulations reinforce these conformity assessment requirements, so importers and customs brokers should verify the goods' regulatory compliance before filing the corresponding customs entry.
5. What role does it play in exports and access to international markets?
The Regulations seek to promote international trade by harmonizing standards and recognizing conformity assessments issued by accredited bodies, in line with the USMCA's good regulatory practice commitments. For exporting companies, this can facilitate the recognition of Mexican certifications abroad and reduce technical barriers to trade.
6. What surveillance mechanisms apply to goods already imported?
The Regulations set rules on market surveillance, verification, the use of seals and declarations of conformity, and the use of official credentials. These surveillance powers also apply to foreign-origin products once released by customs and in circulation in the domestic market, seeking to reduce administrative discretion and prevent unfair competition.
7. What digital tools facilitate compliance in foreign trade operations?
The Quality Infrastructure Technology Platform (PTIC) centralizes information on applicable NOMs and Estándares, allowing importers, exporters and customs brokers to check current requirements before carrying out a transaction, streamlining logistics and customs planning.
8. Why is this relevant to technology and innovation companies?
Numerous technology products and services (electronic devices, telecommunications, medical devices, among others) are subject to certification and standardization processes both for import and for marketing in Mexico. The new framework may change the requirements, deadlines and bodies before which these certifications must be processed, making it important to review the status of current certificates.
CONCLUSION
This new Regulation represents a significant step in modernizing Mexico's regulatory framework, providing greater legal certainty to certification, standardization and foreign trade processes. We recommend that importing, exporting and technology-sector companies review the impact of these provisions on their supply chains, customs processes and regulatory compliance.
Authors:
Edmundo Elías- Fernández
Juan Rafael Amador Espinosa
Alejandro Ripoll González
Daniela Márquez Ledezma
Sofía Castañeda García
Andrea Ramos Macías