Based on current regulations, various types of telecommunications and ICT devices are required to obtain type approval certification before entering and being marketed in Mexico. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to understand the type approval certification process for telecommunications and ICT devices in Mexico. In general, the type approval certification for telecommunications devices in Mexico will be covered under NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications.
Various types of telecommunications and ICT devices subject to Mexican NOM standards. Normas Oficiales Mexicanas or NOM is the name of a set mandatory technical regulations and standards issued by government agencies in Mexico. Obtaining NOM certification is mandatory for manufacturers who wish to import and market their telecommunications and ICT devices in Mexico.
The Comision Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones or CRT is a new regulatory body for telecommunications and ICT devices in Mexico. The previous regulatory body for telecommunications and ICT devices in Mexico is Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones or IFT. Currently, the type approval certification in Mexico is still under the transition from IFT to CRT. Therefore, the type approval certification process in Mexico is still unclear and some parts still refer to IFT regulations.
In this article we will discuss all about Mexico NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications process especially for telecommunication and ICT devices need to be marketed in Mexico.
Type approval certification in Mexico
Before manufacturers importing their telecommunications devices to Mexico, they need to prepare type approval certification of their telecommunications devices first. In Mexico, the type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices is managed by Certification Body (CB) of Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM) and Comision Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT). Before CRT acts as regulatory body in Mexico, the type approval certification for telecommunications devices was managed by the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT).
NOM certification is required for all type of telecommunications and ICT devices that will be imported and marketed in Mexico. NOMs are a set of technical standards issued by the Mexican government to ensure the product safety and quality before being marketed in Mexico. The NOM certification is not managed by the Mexican government, but several organizations are appointed by the Mexican government as accredited Certification Body (CB) to process NOM certification. There are various types of products that are regulated in the NOM standards and must be certified, as follows:
- Electronic products: Home appliances, lighting equipment, electronic components.
- Health products: Pharmaceuticals, medical devices.
- Telecommunications equipment: Devices related to radiocommunication and telecommunication technologies.
- Food and beverage products: Processed foods, bottled water, alcoholic drinks.
- Automotive parts: Tires, brakes, airbags, car seats.
- Toys: All children’s toys.
- Textile and footwear products: Clothing, shoes, bedding.
- Chemical and hazardous materials: Paints, solvents, pesticides.
Based on a new Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law that effective on 17 July 2025, IFT was dissolved and replaced by CRT as the regulatory body of telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico. CRT will responsible to oversees spectrum management, type approvals, concessions, telecommunications rules, and law enforcement. There are some points need to take note during the transition period from IFT to CRT, as follows:
- IFT Office will continue its operation temporarily until CRT Office gradually takes over supervision of IFT roles.
- Current technical regulations were issued under IFT Office remain temporarily valid until CRT Office releases new updates on technical regulations.
- Type approval certification is remain mandatory during this transition, and will be fully manage by CRT Office once IFT Office is dissolved.
- IFT website will remain active solely for accessing information relevant to telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.
Since currently the type approval certification in Mexico is still under the transition from IFT to CRT, then all requirements for type approval certification will still refer to IFT guidelines and regulations. Once CRT releases guidelines and regulations for type approval certification in Mexico, manufacturers need adopt the new guidelines and regulations from CRT immediately.
Requirements of NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications
Local testing is the only option available for processing NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications. The minimum number of samples required is usually 3 samples, but may vary depending on the product category. For product subject to NOM certification only, sending normal samples are sufficient. But for product subject to NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications, usually sending a combination of conducted and normal samples are required.
Most of telecommunications devices are covered under NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications. For a product subjects to NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications, it must be processed sequentially. This mean manufacturers need to complete NOM certification first in order to apply for CRT (IFT) certification. Test reports are one of the required documents to obtain NOM certificate. Once the NOM certificate is issued, it can be used for obtaining a CRT (IFT) certificate.
Some products may fall under two or more NOM standards of safety and telecom, depending on their features. When a product falls under more than one NOM, then testing for NOM 2 will begin once NOM 1 is completed. However, it is recommended to send all samples at once to allow parallel testing. Here is list of the required documents for NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications under local testing method:
- Application form specified by CB of NOM and CRT (IFT) Office, including Mexican HS code
- Technical datasheet
- User manual in Spanish
- Internal and external photos
- Block diagram and electrical diagram
- Test Instructions for RF and DFS
- Antenna details (number of antennas, antenna gain, antenna type)
- Label artwork
- Applicant’s Power of Attorney (PoA) letter
- Registration of applicants with the CB of NOM and CRT (IFT) authority
Family approval is allowed when apply for NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications with following criteria’s:
- NOM certification: the products must have the same electrical specs and critical components, especially at powering.
- CRT (IFT) certification: the products must have exactly the same RF components (circuitry, transceivers, antenna), which will be evidenced in their block diagram and layout.
Applicants of NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications
Applications for NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications must be submitted by a Mexican manufacturer or importer that responsible for releasing the product in Mexico. Therefore, foreign manufacturers cannot apply for NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications directly, a local representative or Mexican importer is still required to apply for NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications.
The Mexican manufacturer or importer is responsible for ensuring that the product complies with the relevant NOM standards, so the certificate holder will take legal responsibility for compliance in Mexico. When processing NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications, a local representative or Mexican importer also generally require to submit some documents with a local Mexican Certification Body (CB) and authorized laboratories.
Lead time of NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications
Lead time of NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications vary depend on the product features. Product without telecommunications features will relatively has shorter lead time since it only subject to NOM certification. The lead time for testing and obtaining NOM certificate of non-telecommunications devices is around 4-5 weeks.
Meanwhile, product with telecommunications features will relatively has longer lead time since it subject to both NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications. As previously explained, type approval for telecommunications devices in Mexico must be processed sequentially, meaning NOM certification must be completed first before doing CRT (IFT) certification.
The lead time for NOM certification of telecommunications devices is around 4-7 weeks, relatively longer than NOM certification of non-telecommunications devices. After NOM certificate is issued, the process continue to CRT (IFT) certification with the lead time around 45 business days.
Label requirements of NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications
The Mexican government has strict regulations regarding the affixation of NOM labels. The NOM label can be affixed directly to the product or affixed with a sticker. There are no size requirements for NOM labels as long as the required information is visible. Following is the information required need to be available on an NOM label and example of a draft of NOM label:
- Manufacturer information
- Brand
- Model name
- Product description in Spanish
- Electrical ratings
- Country of origin
- NOM mark (NYCE logo is required, if certified by NYCE)
Since the telecom authority is currently transitioning from IFT to CRT, then the label requirement may vary, but traditionally the IFT label must include the same information as the NOM label. The marking or labeling of the approved products must include the IFT Seal, in addition to the prefix “IFT” in capital letters and the certificate number. The IFT label can be shown as vertical or horizontal versions, with detail information and example of a draft of IFT label as follows:
- Manufacturer information
- Brand
- Model name
- Product description in Spanish
- Electrical ratings
- Country of origin
- NOM mark (NYCE logo is required, if certified by NYCE)
- IFT seal (or the equivalent CRT mark once finalized)
- IFT prefix (in uppercase) + Certification Number
Validity of NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications
The validity of Mexico NOM certificates typically valid for one year, with option to do annual renewal 6-9 months after initial certification. The renewal process usually requires periodic inspections and re-testing to ensure the product still comply with Mexican NOM standards.
Referring to IFT regulation, Mexico CRT (IFT) certificates has no expiration. However, because CRT (IFT) certificates relate to NOM certificates, then manufacturers must pay more attention on the validity of their NOM certificates. The CRT (IFT) certificates will remain valid as long as the manufacturer maintains the validity of the NOM certificates.
Example of NOM and CRT (IFT) certificates
In the NOM certificates, several information related to the telecommunication equipment and applicant will be mentioned. Below is an example of Mexico NOM certificate for telecommunications devices.
In the CRT (IFT) certificates, several information related to the telecommunication equipment and applicant will be mentioned. Below is an example of Mexico CRT (IFT) certificate for telecommunications devices.
Conclusion
Navigating Mexico type approval certification is not easy, there are many thing we need to know before starting the whole process. Usually some manufacturers also face difficulty to navigate Mexico type approval especially because they have limited knowledge and language barriers to the whole process.
To avoid these issues happening, the existence of a type approval service partner is important for manufacturers. You can consult with our expert team about Mexico NOM and CRT (IFT) certifications by drop an email to info@narmadi.com for further assistance.
