On April 29, 2010 the Mexican Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) published new regulations to the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection pertaining to Environmental Audits and Self-Regulation matters (the “Regulations). The Regulations create a new process of self-regulation through which entities may adopt practices that meet or exceed applicable environmental requirements, with the purpose of obtaining a certification from the Mexican Federal Environmental Protection Prosecutor’s (PROFEPA) office recognizing the entity’s full compliance with environmental regulations. The Regulations establish procedures for applying for and obtaining certificates, such as the National Environmental Auditing Program, based on principles of strategic planning, promotion of environmental certification, clear evaluation procedures and development of self-evaluation capabilities.
