Mexican Official Standards (NOMs) Under Scrutiny
Mexican Official Standards (NOMs) are under scrutiny as 282 projects impact industries. Concerns arise as canceled NOMs, including vital health regulations, lack proper study. Transparency and simplicity are urged in the modification process. The private sector demands timely replacements.
In a recent development, the private sector has raised concerns about the cancellation of several Mexican Official Standards (NOMs) projects that have a significant impact on the industry. These projects were identified in the National Quality Infrastructure Program and Supplement, which were recently published by the Ministry of Economy.
Santiago Betancourt, the vice-president of Normativity at the National Commission of Competitiveness and Regulatory Improvement of Coparmex, expressed particular worry about the cancellation of NOMs in the health sector. According to Betancourt, there are currently 35 NOMs in force that have been canceled without undergoing the necessary study and without meeting the required five-year duration mandated by law. These canceled NOMs include those related to controlling diseases like diabetes, obesity, cholera, and mental health, among others.
Betancourt also highlighted that some NOMs are being eliminated but are accompanied by proposals for modification. For instance, the Ministry of Transportation is canceling the NOM on the list of hazardous substances and materials while simultaneously proposing a new version. Betancourt emphasized the importance of ensuring that if NOMs are canceled, new ones should be presented, and the process of modification should not become more complicated.
According to Betancourt, apart from the health NOMs, there are 26 NOMs canceled in the National Quality Infrastructure Plan. However, the industry is also impacted by other proposed NOMs from different agencies. These proposals cover a wide range of topics, including transgenic corn, the transmission network overseen by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), pesticides, yogurt, steel, and non-hotel digital lodging platform services.
What's intriguing is that some projects initially proposed by agencies were later abandoned, as seen in the case of the Ministry of Energy and the CRE's 17 proposed amendments to the Standards. This inconsistency has caught the attention of industry observers.
Moreover, in the recently published Supplement in June, there were mentions of canceled projects. This was surprising because the February publication of the Program included several projects from the CRE and the Ministry of Energy, indicating their intention to develop new Standard projects. However, these intentions were later canceled in the Supplement.
Among the proposals put on hold are those related to energy efficiency standards for specific products, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and other household appliances, which were being regulated. This delay in implementing standards aimed at enhancing energy efficiency is a matter of concern.
The private sector's apprehension regarding the cancellation and modification of NOMs highlights the need for a well-thought-out and streamlined approach to the development and revision of these standards. The industry relies on NOMs to ensure the quality, safety, and competitiveness of products and services. Any changes made to these standards must be carefully considered to avoid creating unnecessary complications.
As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders and industry players will closely monitor further developments and advocate for a robust and effective regulatory framework that serves the best interests of all parties involved.
