Trade in Mexico: meeting the standards
The modern global economy is ruled by international trade, which has considerably increased the value of imports and exports around the world.
Mexico is no exception to the rule, and many countries have attempted to enter, or have already entered, the Mexican market in recent years.
When foreign companies decide to import a product or offer a service to Mexico, they are often seriously concerned about their IP assets. However, they also frequently ignore regulatory issues. Specifically, investors often tend to overlook the requirements imposed by the Mexican authorities through what are known as Official Mexican Standards (NOMs), even though it is important to abide by them as they ensure that the quality, information and safety requirements related to the delivery of products or services are met, and failure to comply with them can lead to substantial legal risks.
NOMs and their importance
Among its functions, the Mexican government has an obligation to guarantee that consumers enjoy a minimum core of rights. One of its ways to fulfil that obligation is through the NOMs, which are mandatory administrative and technical regulations that various government authorities issue to provide the minimum characteristics, guidelines, requirements and specifications that products and services (processes, methods and installations, but also activities) must comply with when they are commercialised or offered in the Mexican market, in order to avoid or limit the risks that consumers, animals, vegetables or the environment are subject to.
