Speaking about Mexico Type Approval, the process in obtaining this approval is normally divided into two sections: Testing process and certification. Testing process is required to verify product’s compliance to the NOM (Norma Official Mexicana) standard. After test is finished and declared “passed”, we will obtain certificate of conformity or CoC. This certificate is useful as evidence that the product has complied with certain NOM standard.

And then, after CoC is obtained, the process is continued to type approval certification. This process is managed by CRT (creation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission). CRT is the newly introduced entity that’s responsible for product certification in Mexico. Previously, it was named IFT or constitutional dissolution of the Federal Telecommunications Institute.

In term of function in the field of product certification, both has the same responsibility. In CRT, we need to submit the CoC and test reports obtained along with other supporting documents. After that, the documents will be evaluated by CRT officer. During this evaluation process, request for additional documents or revision is possible. Once evaluation is declared “passed”, the type approval certificate will be issued.

Mexico Type Approval Certification Lead Time

Then, what about the lead time of the whole process, from starting the application to the issuance of Mexico Type Approval Certification? To answer this question, there is no general lead time for the process. This is because testing process for each standard are different. Below is the lead time for the testing process:

  • Safety NOMs (e.g. NOM-001 and NOM-019): 4-5 weeks
  • Telecom NOMs (e.g. NOM-208 and NOM-204): 3-4 weeks

After testing processes are finished, we can continue type approval certification process in the CRT. This is basically checking the test report and documents. Although the lead time for certification depends on the queue, but typically this can be finished in 20 business days. Once the evaluation is finished and the application is declared as “pass”, then Mexico type approval certificate can be issued.

Mexico Type Approval Certificate Validity

Certificate validity must be maintained in order to keep the product can be distributed or used in the country legally. For the certificate that has limited validity time, manufacturer must pay more attention to it. They need to monitor the validity time and process the renewal when it’s approaching to expiry date. For Mexico type approval, certificate validity is different between Safety certification and Telecom certification. For Safety certification using NOM-001 and NOM-019 standards, validity is for a year. For the whole year, certificate will be valid as long as client attendant maintenance surveillance processes on time.

For Telecom Telecom/IFT type approval certificate using NOM-208 standard, it has an indefinite validity. Certificate will be valid as long as client attendant maintenance surveillance process of the draw that CRT makes every year (in case certificates were selected). And for Telecom/IFT type approval certificate according to NOM-024 standard, it has indefinite validity as long as technical information and model does not change.

Why We Care

For manufacturers, it’s important to issue forecast before they release a product. So, they have schedule and guidelines of what steps should be taken before the product can be sent to the market. Compliance certification process is part of this forecast. Lead time of Compliance certification process will also decide the schedule of other process afterwards. Therefore, having accurate estimation of lead time is very important.

On the other hand, after certificate is issued, another job is to maintain the validity of the certificate. Maintaining the certificate to keep being valid is very important for the product distribution and sales. By keeping the certificate valid, the product will be allowed to be distributed and used legally within the countries. So, when there’s surveillance conducted by the authority, the products will be safe and prevented for being recalled.