Mexico’s New NOM-001 Takes Effect in 2020

An updated NOM-001 will come into force in Mexico starting May 14, 2020.

Known formally as NOM-001-SCFI-2018, the new regulation replaces NOM-001-SCFI-1993. (NOM stands for “Norma Oficial Mexicana,” or Official Mexican Standard.)

The regulation covers the safety requirements for electronic devices manufactured, imported, commercialized, distributed, or leased in Mexico.

It applies to electronic equipment and accessories that use single-phase supply voltages up to 277 V AC at 60 Hz and/or three-phase voltages up to 480 V AC between lines at 60 Hz — as well as other energy sources, including batteries, energy accumulators, self-generation, and alternative power sources up to 500 V DC.

Contact us to learn more about NOM-001, and other certification matters in Mexico and Latin America.

NOM-029: Regulating Energy Efficiency in Mexico

In addition to requiring NOM-001 certification, all external power supplies that are sold separately in Mexico require a certification known as NOM-029.

A NOM-029 certification ensures that Mexico’s energy efficiency standards have been met. NOM-029 is sometimes referred to more completely as NOM-029 ENER-2017, as it was last updated in 2017 (with an effective date of April 2018).

However, if a power supply (such as a charging cord for a cell phone) is packaged and sold as an accessory along with the main product, then it does not need additional NOM-029 certification. In that case, the cord is covered by the phone’s overall certification.

When it is needed, a NOM-029 certification is obtained through test evaluation. It is applicable for all power supplies intended to convert electrical voltage from alternating current (AC) to a single level of voltage or direct current (DC), with a maximum output power of 250W or less.

Power supplies that allow switching to manual output voltage levels, independent from the product, also require testing and certification.

NOM-029 is not applicable in some instances. If your electronic device was previously approved under NOM-019-SCFI-1997 or NOM-001-SCFI-1993, its power supply will not require the additional certification of NOM-029.

NOMs (“Norma Oficial Mexicana” or Official Mexican Standard) detail the form, format, and documentation that must be maintained for legal compliance.

Contact LARCG for more information regarding this or any other Latin America certification issue, whether in Mexico, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean.

Terms to Know: Tariff Codes, HS Codes, HTS Codes, Harmonization Codes

Ever wonder what a tariff code is? The Harmonized Item Description and Coding System (HS) identifies products by a 6-digit number cataloged in the World Customs Organization’s Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. To this 6-digit number countries add their own numbers to further classify products and define duty rates according to category, product type, and materials. End result: a tariff code!

Why should you care? Because countries use their Harmonized Tariff Schedules (HTS) to classify products coming into their territory and combine this information with country-of-origin certificates to calculate tariffs and customs duties. Tracking HTS data can help companies maximize the use of free trade agreements and tariff exemptions.

And there’s another, more immediate benefit to understanding tariff codes, particularly when it comes to Mexico. When LARCG starts a new project to secure approval for a product in Mexico, one of the first things we do is ask our client to provide us with their product’s “tariff code.”

Just to be clear: We don’t choose the tariff code — the client does. But what we need is the Mexican tariff code, not the U.S. code (a common misconception). Mexico also requires the appropriate code to be printed on the NOM certificates it issues — all the more reason to get it right from the get-go.

To help clients determine the correct Mexican tariff code for their product, we provide a list of options on our website: https://bit.ly/31o2jRH.

It’s a very extensive list, however, so translating the U.S. code to the Mexican one can still be challenging. Here’s a tip: the Mexican tariff code has 8 digits, with the first 6 digits usually the same as the U.S. HS code. That narrows the possibilities.

Don’t let tariff codes flummox you — we’re happy to field questions about tariff codes, or anything else related to the homologation process in Mexico or any other LATAM country. We look forward to hearing from you.

Costa Rica Now Requires In-Country Testing of Cellular Products

Costa Rica flag

As of 2019, Costa Rica’s homologation process no longer accepts outside test reports for cellular products to be imported or commercialized in Costa Rica. Any product utilizing cellular technology (data or voice; 2G, 3G, or 4G) must undergo testing at an accredited lab within Costa Rica.

After testing, reports are submitted with other documentation to SUTEL, the Agency responsible for radio frequency management in Costa Rica. SUTEL (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones) is Costa Rica’s equivalent to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the U.S.

In addition to in-country testing of a specific cellular product, any company (or brand) seeking approval to sell cellular products in Costa Rica must also be registered with SUTEL — a complicated process that LARCG is equipped to handle, as we are with all Latin America certification issues.

Examples of cellular products that require testing in Costa Rica include:

  • Cellphones
  • Tablets
  • Laptops
  • Telematic devices
  • Mobile payment terminals

The major cellular communications companies operating in Costa Rica are Claro, Movistar, and Kolbi.

Contact us about the homologation process in Costa Rica — or to know more about the certification process anywhere in Latin America, from Mexico and the Caribbean to Argentina and Chile. LARCG handles the entire homologation process in Costa Rica and has a strong working relationship with both SUTEL and the country’s accredited test labs.

Mexico Requires Tariff Codes on All NOM Safety Certificates

As of June 30, 2019, the Mexican government requires that a product’s tariff code (its “fracción arancelaria”) be displayed on its NOM-001, NOM-003, or NOM-019 safety certificate. (The tariff code is also sometimes referred to as the “HS code,” “HTS code,” or “harmonized code.”)

Until now a product’s tariff/harmonized/HS/HTS code was not printed on the NOM certificate; the code was just included in the underlying application paperwork.

Of Mexico’s two certificate-issuing agencies, NYCE already includes the code on the new certificates it issues. The other agency, ANCE, will start adding the code to its new certificates by the end of May.

If your product’s NOM certificate does not feature the product’s tariff code, you will need to request an updated certificate by June 30; the new cert must be obtained within 90 days of requested date.

This is a new development (first communicated by the agencies on May 2). We are working with NYCE and ANCE to get updated certificates for our clients as soon as possible, subject to the agencies’ workload.

Contact LARCG if you think you have NOM-001, NOM-003, or NOM-019 safety certificates that will be invalid because of missing tariff code, or other reason. We can help with this issue, or any other regarding Latin America certification.

©2020 Latin America Regulatory Compliance Group, LLC