New import requirements for wireless products for Mexico

Starting Feb. 24, 2021, to gain market access to Mexico, end-product manufacturers must show that their full end product has radio frequency (RF) and wireless testing and certification rather than leveraging the component manufacturers’ certification of the integrated module RF system. This change is part of the new Conformity Assessment Procedure by Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT).

Key certification scheme changes include:

• Each importer must obtain their own NOM Certification of Compliance (CoC)and IFT approval. End product manufacturers customers will no longer be allowed to leverage IFT approvals on modular components and now must test and certify the end product. The four certification schemes are:
  • Sample by product model for a single batch
  • Sample by product model and surveillance for more than one batch
  • Sample per product model family and surveillance
  • Sample by telecommunications or broadcasting device and surveillance (IoT)
• Test reports must mention validity of 60 days
• Companies are only allowed to test a product twice, using two different samples. If it fails both times, the product cannot be certified.  

The new IFT rules have the following impacts:  

• The applicant and certificate holder roles are redefined to ensure certified products are homologated because only 58% of certified products are homologated today
• Expands certification scope to cover products intended for infrastructure use under the inspection unit 
• Increases traceability by eliminating transferability of the certificate of compliance, test report and dictum.
• Increases alignment of the four schemes with global trends such as 5G and Internet of Things (IoT).
• Reinforces the post-market surveillance program
• Creates a homologation process that is more streamlined, flexible and faster 
• Provides a digital record of certificate of conformity (CoC) and non-conformity letters in the IFC database

Additionally, the new technical standard, IFT-012-2019 for Specific Absorption Ratio (SAR) testing and certification, will take effect starting Feb. 25, 2021. Mexico has not yet accredited any laboratories or accreditation bodies to test and certify to this standard. UL will provide an update when Mexico releases more information on the certification process. 
This new standard is based on IEC 62209-1:2016 Ed.2, IEC 62209-2:2010 Ed. 1. This applies to products, equipment or devices intended for telecommunications use that may be connected to a telecommunications network and/or make use of the radio spectrum in the interval frequency 30 megehertz (MHz) to 6 gigahertz (GHz). Certification is required when the product is used:

• Near the head, particularly near the ear, in the frequency range of 300 MHz to 6 GHz, and/or
• At a distance of less than or equal to 200 mm from the human body, in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 6 GHz.

To prepare for these changes, contact a UL Global Market Access expert who can help guide you through the testing, certification and reporting process.