On February 13, 2026, the official standard NOM-251-SE-2025, Construction Industry-Steel Products-Specifications, Test Methods and Commercial Information (the “NOM”), was published in the Federal Official Gazette. This regulation establishes the requirement of prior certification for the manufacture, importation and commercialization in Mexico of various steel products intended for construction.
The NOM impacts a vast majority of structural steel used in civil and industrial works. Covered products include, among others:
- Reinforcing steel bars (rebar).
- Welded wire mesh.
- Reinforcement assemblies.
- Structural tubing.
- Galvanized sheet.
- Structural profiles.
- Steel strands and cables.
In order to commercialize regulated products within Mexican territory, the NOM requires compliance with several obligations, including:
- Obtaining a Product Certificate of Conformity (CCP).
- Subjecting products to testing in accredited laboratories.
- Complying with official sampling procedures.
- Incorporating the official NOM conformity mark on the product.
- Meeting Spanish language labeling requirements.
- Conducting conformity assessment through an accredited and approved Product Certification Body (OCP), or exceptionally before the Ministry of Economy in the absence of such bodies.
The NOM will enter into force 180 calendar days following its publication for certain products, such as reinforcing bars, welded wire mesh and reinforcement assemblies for concrete, and 18 months after publication for the remaining products listed in Table 1 of Chapter 4 of the NOM. Accordingly, manufacturers, importers and distributors should timely initiate their conformity assessment and certification processes to avoid regulatory contingencies or commercialization restrictions.Failure to comply with the NOM may result in the imposition of administrative sanctions, including fines of up to 4,000 Units of Measure and Update (UMA), which is approximately equivalent to MXN $469,240.00, without limition to other measures such as suspension, immobilization, or withdrawal of products from the market.
Should you have any questions, require our assistance, or need additional information, please contact the professionals at Cuesta Campos.
Contact
Berenice Soto
Héctor Ceballos
Sofía Cano
THE ABOVE IS PROVIDED AS GENERAL INFORMATION PREPARED BY PROFESSIONALS REGARDING THE REFERENCED TOPIC. THIS DOCUMENT ONLY REFERS TO LAWS APPLICABLE IN MEXICO. WHILE EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION, WE DO NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OF ANY KIND.
