The regulatory function of the State has a significant impact on economic performance. Technical regulation is an indispensable tool for transforming public policies and international trade, both of which revolve around markets characterised by technological innovation, global value chains and the diversification of sectors. Properly designed technical regulations contribute to legal certainty, prevent risks to public health, promote well-being, protect the environment and natural resources and, more generally, foster productivity.
More than 20 years after its creation, our country’s framework around technical regulations (NOMs) still presents opportunities for enhancing their enforcement. Many NOMs lack the proper conformity assessment infrastructure or are rarely overseen by the responsible authority.
The main challenge facing Mexico’s system around technical regulations is awareness and compliance with NOMs. The public is unaware of technical regulations and fails to demand their enforcement. Moreover, authorities are only just beginning to disseminate NOMs. Finally, there is only limited exchange of best practices among institutions around implementation of technical regulations. This puts us at the start of a long path for planning, designing, developing and implementing NOMs in Mexico.
One of the most significant actions taken by the Ministry of Economy in its efforts to lead the improvement in Mexico’s system is its co-operation with international organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This co-operation seeks to adopt the OECD recommendations targeting Mexico’s national quality infrastructure and specifically the implementation of NOMs in the proposed National Quality Infrastructure Law and in the roll-out of the Law to Promote Citizens’ Trust. Both laws are considered by this Administration as critical instruments for achieving the inclusive growth needed by the country.
The Ministry of Economy seeks to promote the collaboration of all parties across the regulatory lifecycle by creating technical capacities, and actions and strategies for developing, disseminating, promoting and implementing NOMs. It also strives to strengthen their legal framework and create strategies to address the human resources and economic shortcomings faced by conformity assessment and inspections in key areas. This aims to mitigate the challenges faced by NOMs developing a coherent, consistent and risk-based approach to conformity assessment and regulatory inspections in order to secure and promote compliance with technical regulations.
NOMs need to align with the public policy objectives set in the National Development Plan. They should be open and accessible to all economic and social sectors in harmony with international standards in order to avoid unnecessary barriers to trade and internal competition. Regulations and their correct implementation promote commercial and industrial performance and with it, the inclusive economic development and well-being that Mexico requires.
Dr. Graciela Márquez Colín
Minister of Economy, Mexico