News Details

The Mexican Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport has launched a public consultation on a new regulation that will impact the transport of dangerous goods in limited quantities. The proposed PROY-NOM-011-SICT2/2025 standard sets clear safety and labeling guidelines for the transport of hazardous materials, aiming to enhance public safety while promoting greater efficiency and compliance with international standards.

The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) is spearheading the consultation process. Interested parties, including shippers, transporters, and recipients of hazardous goods, are invited to submit their comments within 60 days of the publication of the notice. This regulation will be mandatory for goods transported on federal roads and bridges in Mexico.

The new standard establishes that hazardous goods packaged in limited quantities, such as certain chemicals and materials, can be transported under relaxed requirements that still maintain safety. This approach aligns with international guidelines from the United Nations’ Reglamentación Modelo for dangerous goods transport, acknowledging that smaller quantities of these goods do not pose a significant risk to health and the environment.

Streamlined Processes, Enhanced Safety

Under the proposed regulation, hazardous goods in limited quantities must adhere to specific packaging and labeling standards. These requirements, including the use of clear, visible marks on containers, are intended to ensure that goods are safely handled during transit. The final regulation will support Mexico’s growing need to balance safety with competitiveness by reducing unnecessary costs related to hazardous materials transport.

One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is its alignment with international safety frameworks, particularly the 2021 version of the UN’s Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical classification. The standard emphasizes the importance of proper risk communication, requiring specific pictograms, hazard warnings, and precautionary measures for labeled goods.

Global Compliance and Industry Impact

The proposal aims to improve Mexico's alignment with global transportation standards, offering the country’s businesses a competitive advantage while maintaining high safety standards. The relaxed requirements for limited quantities are expected to reduce regulatory burdens for companies, benefiting trade and logistics operations by lowering transport costs.

Consultation Period and Future Implementation

The consultation process will last for 60 days, and the final standard will be enforced 180 days after its publication in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (Federal Official Gazette). Stakeholders can submit comments electronically or in person to the Committee for National Standardization of Ground Transportation.

The proposed standard also covers other safety aspects such as marking requirements for containers, specifying that the packaging for hazardous goods must be appropriately designed to minimize exposure to risk during transport. The regulation includes detailed guidelines for identifying and labeling hazardous materials to ensure the safety of transporters and the public.

This step marks a significant move toward harmonizing Mexico’s transportation regulations with international standards, improving safety, and boosting the competitiveness of local industries involved in the transport of hazardous materials.