The deadline to file comments to the “Draft Modification to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-051” for pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages, expired on December 10, 2019. Olivares has already filed comments. The most controversial modification refers to section 4.5.1 of NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010 which states:

"The label on the packaging of food and non-alcoholic beverages (including a pre-packaged seal) should not display characters, drawings, celebrities, gifts, offers, toys or contests, offers related to the price or content, attractive forms of packaging, visual-spatial games or social networking product ads, which encourage the consumption of the food or beverage."

If approved, this provision would violate various Federal Laws and International Treaties.

Although the proposal has not entered into force yet, it is important to highlight that its wording can be changed so that it is in line with the philosophy of the new North American Free Trade Agreement, which has a specific regulatory coherence chapter.

Furthermore, the proposed “front labelling system” would contravene the provisions of the Technical Barriers Treaty (TBT) as well as the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to which Mexico is a party.

The Technical Barriers Treaty (TBT) and Free Trade Agreements recognize that each country can establish technical regulations (in this case Official Mexican Standards) but in doing so, must ensure that they do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade.

 
Lastly, on December 13, 2019 the comments submitted to this proposal, were turned to the National Advisory Committee on Official Standards Regulation and Sanitary Promotion, organism which will study these comments within a period of 45 days and is entitled to modify the original proposal.

Olivares will continue to monitor this proposal and shall provide updates if/when it is approved and if any are amendments made to the current proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWSLETTER, PLEASE CONTACT:

Alejandro Luna Fandiño

Alejandro Luna Fandiño

Partner

Alejandro Luna joined OLIVARES in 1996 and being made partner in 2005, he has been instrumental to the firm´s IP Litigation, Regulatory and Administrative Litigation practices. He co-chairs the Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical Law industry group and coordinates the Litigation Department.
Armando Arenas

Armando Arenas

Partner

Armando Arenas joined OLIVARES in 2000 and became a partner in January 2017. He has experience working on a range of IP matters, including consulting and litigation on trademark, patent, unfair competition, trade dress protection, and misleading advertising cases before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), Federal Court of Tax and Administrative Affairs (FCTA), Federal Circuit Courts (FCC) and the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) Regulatory Affairs and Public Acquisitions.
Jaime Rodríguez

Jaime Rodríguez

Partner

Jaime Rodriguez joined OLIVARES in 2007 and became a partner in 2023. He has extensive experience in copyright, litigation, trademarks, unfair competition and domain name dispute resolution, and this versatility has allowed him to participate in a variety of relevant matters and cases pertaining to different areas of intellectual property.
Víctor Ramírez

Víctor Ramírez

Partner

Victor Ramírez is co-leader of OLIVARES’ trademark practice group, focusing chiefly on counseling, negotiating and prosecuting Industrial Property disputes (nullity, caducity and infringement proceedings) before the Mexican Patent and Trademark Office (IMPI).

ASSOCIATES

WHO CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING NUMBER:

+52(55) 5322 3000
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