Mexico Publishes New Specifications for Dangerous Goods Transportation

On February 28, 2022, the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SCT) issued an Official Mexican Norm (NOM in Spanish). This regulation assigns specifications for transporting certain classes of dangerous goods, including consumer goods containing small quantities of hazardous substances. The aim is to establish new safety provisions.

NOM-011-1-SCT-2-2022 aligns the national standards with the international guidelines related to the transportation of excepted quantities of hazardous materials. The Official Mexican Norm reduces the transportation exigencies, consequently lowering cost and encouraging commercialization. It will also leverage the competition of the national products into international commerce. Concomitantly, NOM-011-1-SCT-2-2022 addresses labeling and packing of hazardous substances initially exempted from compliance with the NOM-002-SCT/2011 (due to exception quantities). They refer to NOM-002-SCT/2011’s column 7b:

1 expressed in grams for solids and milliliters for liquids and gases; or the sum of grams and milliliters in the case of ordinary packaging

In the case of Explosives and Radioactive goods, they must also comply with the provisions of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Energy through the National Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards, respectively. According to NOM-011-1-SCT-2-2022, the transport of hazardous substances and materials in excepted quantities and final consumption must be carried out based on their hazard classification and quantities to be transported.

NOM-011-1-SCT-2-2022 will enter into force 60 calendar days after its publication. And concerned businesses in Mexico need to fully comply.