On October 28, 2025, Mexico published a new update to its Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the United States for telecommunications equipment. This agreement enables both countries to accept each other’s test reports for telecom products, streamlining cross-border trade and certification processes.
The latest update reflects Mexico’s continued alignment with the Treaty between the United Mexican States, the United States of America, and Canada (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA in 2020. It formally expands the list of technical regulations for which Mexico will accept U.S. test reports, supporting mutual recognition and regulatory cooperation under Annex 12-C of the USMCA.
New Technical Provisions Recognized by Mexico
The MRA’s Annex I has been updated to include three additional technical provisions for which Mexico will now accept conformity assessment results from U.S. designated laboratories:
IFT-012-2019: Covers Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits for telecom products emitting non-ionizing radiation. This provision is critical for ensuring user safety in mobile and wireless devices.
IFT-016-2024: Applies to low power radiocommunication devices operating within 30 MHz to 3 GHz. It defines technical specifications, limits, and test methods.
IFT-017-2023: Relates to WLAN equipment using digital modulation and operating in frequency bands between 5150 MHz and 6425 MHz, including the new 6 GHz spectrum range.
However, there is uncertainty about current implementation. While the update suggests that Mexico may now accept foreign test reports, it is not yet clear which foreign laboratories are officially accredited to perform testing to these specific Mexican technical provisions.
Currently, no U.S. labs have been publicly confirmed as authorized under this framework. Global Validity will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to on further announcements regarding designated lab recognition from Mexican authorities.
Reinforcing Regional Trade Cooperation
This regulatory change also reflects the growing importance of interoperability and trade facilitation within North America. By enabling the acceptance of test reports across borders, Mexico and the U.S. are reducing regulatory duplication, lowering certification costs, and supporting more efficient market access for telecom products.
The update enters into force immediately following its publication in Mexico’s Official Gazette on October 28, 2025.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
Mexico
Certification Body:
- Current Name: Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT)
- Previous Name: Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFETEL)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: Indefinite
Application Language: Spanish
Legal License Holder: Importer
In-Country Testing Requirement: In-Country Testing
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