Mexico Ramps Up Security Requirements for Light Vehicles

November marks the month new safety regulations in Mexico will enter into effect for light motor vehicles.

On May 9th, 2016 Mexico’s Federal Register published NOM-194-SCFI-2015 an Official Mexican Standard (more commonly know as NOMs by their Spanish acronym). The new regulation is a water-down version of United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (“FMVSS”) and European Directives.

The recently introduced safety standards will now require basic security components to be installed on all new cars. Some of these components include: three point security seat belts, headlights, headrests, rearview and lateral mirrors, and seats systems, which will now need to comply with international safety standards. The implementation of other safety components such as airbags will be delayed until 2019 and 2020 to allow for the auto industry to modify their production platforms.

Notwithstanding the new safety regulations, consumer associations still decry Mexico Government’s lack luster regulations for vehicles and delayed implementation. It could be reasonably expected that Mexican regulations will catch-up with international standards in the course of the following years.

As a result of this adoption of these new regulations, auto suppliers, particularly those who manufacture products contained in the NOM for Mexico’s market, should expect some disruption to their supply chains platforms. On the consumer side, car prices are expected to climb.

If you would like additional information about this Alert, or have question about your organization’s NOMs safety security compliance, please contact me or your Butzel Long attorney.

Raul Rangel Miguel
202.454.2800
rangel@butzel.com