For a product to be manufactured, imported, or sold in Mexico, it must first be certified as compliant with the relevant government standard, known as a NOM (“Norma Official Mexicana”). NOMs are numbered according to the activities and products they cover: NOM-003, NOM-192, etc.
Here’s a quick look at some NOMs covering electrical and electronic equipment. Contact us for more information, including approval timelines, product testing, and need for samples (which vary from project to project).
Certain NOMs are often referred to as “Safety NOMs” because they cover equipment using a battery charger, power supply, or adapter. These products require testing in Mexico and special safety labeling as part of the certification process.
Safety resolutions include:
IFETEL (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones or the Mexican Federal Telecommunications Institute), formerly known as COFETEL, regulates products using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G/4G, or radio frequency technologies. Equipment that connects to the PSTN, satellite, and other types of devices also require IFETEL type approval.
Testing is required for equipment using the frequency bands 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz, and 5725-5850 MHz. LARCG typically needs two samples (one radiate, one conducted) for IFETEL testing in Mexico. LARCG will assist with importation of the samples and arrange for testing of the equipment in Mexico. Modular and system approval may be possible depending on the equipment.
Special labeling is also required.
IFETEL has frequency restrictions depending on the equipment. Contact us for more information the technologies and frequencies allowed for use in Mexico.
Products requiring IFETEL approval:
IFETEL resolutions include:
Customs in Mexico requires that safety certificates (NOM-001, NOM-019, NOM-003, etc.) and testing certificates (NOM-208 from IFETEL) be issued in the name of a legal Mexican entity and specifically reference the Mexican importers and distributors of the certified products.
If you do not have an office in Mexico we can provide certificate holder services at no charge. We provide legal representation (sometimes referred to as local representation) as a neutral third party, which allows you to certify your products before you have determined your importers/distributors. This keeps you in control of the process and your certificates.
If we are acting as your certificate holder and legal representative, we can obtain “extension” safety certificates in the name of your importers/distributors, once you have identified them. For NOM-208 products, we will “validate” each importer/distributor in IFETEL’s system, which customs will check upon importation of the equipment into Mexico.
Mexico is rolling out new regulations regarding IFETEL Validations and will soon be requiring each importer/distributor/seller to have a certificate in their name.
Visit our blog on this subject or call us to learn more about the upcoming changes in Mexico.
Type A plugs, rated at 15 Amps, are used mainly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Central America. This Class I, non-grounded, non-insulated plug operates on AC current and is known as NEMA 1-15. The plug has two 1.5 mm thick blades which measure 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length and are spaced 12.7 mm apart. The neutral blade is 7.9 mm wide, while the hot blade is 6.3 mm wide.
This plug almost always operates between 100 – 127 volts and is compatible with socket type A or type B.
Type B plugs, rated at 15 amps, are used mainly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Central America. This class I grounded, non-insulated plug operates on AC current and is known as NEMA 5-15. The plug has two 1.5 mm thick blades which measure 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length, and are spaced 12.7 mm apart. It also features a 4.8 diameter round, or u-shaped earth pin measuring 3.2 mm which acts as a ground. This plug almost always operates between 100 – 127 volts and is only compatible with type B sockets. Grounded type B outlets are less common than type A outlets in some parts of Central and South America.