Update on Elimination of Mexican Regulations (Normas) by the Federal Department of the Economy

As noted in issue 56 of the CCN Mexico Report, as part of the 2008 National Regulation Program, Mexico’s Department of the Economy has reviewedthe potential elimination of close to 50% of currently existing Mexican Regulations (Normas), particularly those that could serve as a barrier to trade.Between August and today, the Department of the Economy has published around 26 notices on its procedural review cancelling more than 1,300Mexican Regulations, effective this year. The National Regulation Program provides for cancellation of close to 2,700 Mexican Regulations in total.Unlike Official Regulations, Mexican Regulations (Normas) are voluntary and must be followed only if an Official Regulation provides for obligatorycompliance. We suggest that our readers review such notices in order to verify if any of the Regulations they follow have been cancelled, which meanssuch Regulations do not apply, and remain inapplicable until new regulations have been enacted in their place. The notices cancelling such Regulationsand calling for public comment may be reviewed by consulting the August 14, 18, October 8 and October 9, 2008 editions of the Official Journal of theFederation (Diario Oficial de la Federación). If readers have questions about the applicability of Mexican Regulations they may contact the editors listedbelow.