FAQ
Does AF Holding obtaining a NOM certificate take a long time?
While AF Holding works throughout North America and Europe as well, we can usually obtain Mexico NOM certification for your products within 30 days of our receipt of the correct samples, instruction manuals, photos, and specs.
How long does the Mexico NOM certificate remain valid?
The Mexico NOM certificate is valid for 12 months, and it can be renewed thereafter, by AF Holding applying for a renewal ahead of time.
What are the Mexican standards’ protocols?
NOM-001-SCFI-1993: Electronic Equipment for Domestic Use with Input from Different Electrical Power Sources – Safety Requirements and Testing Procedures for Class Approval based on IEC 65-1985 as amended in 1987;
NOM-003-SCFI-2000: Electrical Products, safety specifications, used in conjunction with NMX-J-521/1-ANCE-1999, Safety of household and similar electrical appliances, part 1, based on IEC-60335-1-1991-04; and NMX-J-524/1-ANCE-2000, Safety of Hand- held Motor-operated Tools, part 1, based on IEC-60745-1-1997-02;
NOM-016-SCFI-1993: Electronic Equipment for Use in Office and Operated by Different Electrical Power Sources – Safety Requirements and Testing Procedures for Class Approval, based on IEC-335-1976;
NOM-019-SCFI-1998: Data-Processing Equipment, based on UL 478, fourth edition.
Is the Mexico NOM number remain the same for a particular item, from year to year?
The Mexico NOM number for an particular item is the same from year to year. AF Holding will send you periodic reports on your current portfolio of products’ live certifications, with their expiration dates, so you can plan ahead.
Does the Mexico NOM obtaining process require the individual NOM labeling of each retail box or is the NOM certificate itself adequate?
Every box requires a label or specially printed packaging for Mexico that has the label info included. AF Holding will guide you through this process.
Is the Mexico NOM certification process for a product the same, whether I sell the product online or to retailers?
The Mexico NOM certificate is prduct-specific. Each type of product requires the same Mexico NOM certification, regardless of whether it will be sold to the consumer online, or to the in-store consumer. AF Holding will manage all different sectors of your business model.
Does the Spanish language version of the product’s manual and operating instructions need to be inserted into the box, or can they be made accessible from that product’s host’s website?
By applicable law, the product’s manual and instructions must be inserted inside the box. AF Holding makes sure all necessary requirements become part of your product’s specs.
For Mexico NOM certification, do we need to have the entire manual translated into Spanish or can we get a NOM certification using a short Spanish “Quick-step” guide of perhaps even only one or two pages)?
You can use a quick-step guide to get the needed Mexico NOM certification. You will need the full version however, when you produce the product. The full Spanish version must be included in the physical specifications of the product. AF Holding can help translate the manual for you, based on even a localized-specific dialect being needed.
My current box is only in English. Does the box need to have the wording in Spanish, in order to get the Mexico NOM certification?
Yes, you need to have the wording in Spanish on the box. In cases of when the product was already produced without the Spanish version, a small single-color label containing the wording in Spanish, will be enough to render the package language-compliant. AF Holding will guide you in this process, as we have trained translators available on staff.
Is the product testing done in the U.S. or in Mexico?
All testing samples are needed to be sent to one of AF Holding’s Mexico offices in Mexico City, as all product testing is done in Mexico.
Does a NOM certification require a factory audit or inspection?
No factory audit or inspection is necessary in order to get the product certified. AF Holding will guide you every step of the way.
How much does Mexico NOM certification cost?
The cost of each certification depends on the product specifications and the lab tests required of that particular product. AF Holding will always strive to be the most cost-efficient.
Can Mexico NOM certification be obtained without product testing?
No. To obtain the necessary Mexico NOM certification, it is required to run laboratory tests on the samples provided by the OEM. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) AF Holding will work on getting the certificates in the most timely fashion possible.
Can I import into Mexico using a foreign standards certificate?
A foreign standards certificate cannot be utilized in order to import product into Mexico. A Mexican NOM certificate is required. AF Holding will guide you through this process.
What is the necessary applicable Mexico NOM standards for my specific product?
The Mexican tariff code lists all Mexico NOM standards. AF Holding will help you identify what is required of you, since each product generates its own required NOM standards exclusively for that product or same group of products.