The National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor Manufacturers (ANPACT) asked the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to recognize US standards in Mexico.

Mexico has not taken sufficient measures to formally recognize the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

At the same time, the current certification processes for imported goods are lengthy and cumbersome in Mexico, particularly for products originating in the United States. 

Recognition of standards

In ANPACT’s view, these administrative barriers hinder the integration of the medium- and heavy-duty truck industry into the North American value chain. 

The Association considered that it would be practical and beneficial for Mexico to formally recognize U.S. standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and their parts, which would enhance consistency across the automotive sector. 

In fact, the 2024 Report referred to “standard PROY-NOM-014-SCT-2-2019, which regulates rear underrun protection for conventional buses and single-unit truck-type vehicles weighing more than 4536 kg.”

According to ANPACT, this standard is an example of how, despite the Mexican government’s commitment, there are still barriers to overcome. In this regard, the US Administration should promote mutual recognition of standards and the updating of Mexican regulations to ensure greater regulatory alignment. 

Truck industry

One of the recitals of the USMCA emphasizes that its Parties commit to “facilitate trade in goods and services among themselves by preventing, identifying, and eliminating unnecessary technical barriers to trade, increasing transparency, and promoting good regulatory practices.” 

This commitment reflects the high degree of economic integration in the North American region. Mexico’s productive base supplies not only the U.S. market but also a wide range of other destinations—including Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Australia—largely following the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). 

However, in practice, Mexico has not taken sufficient measures to formally recognize FMVSS standards, and current certification processes for imported goods are lengthy and cumbersome, particularly for products originating in the United States.

These administrative barriers hinder the integration of the medium- and heavy-duty truck industry into the North American value chain.