Mexico`s Chemical Regulation Still Pending as Reform Faces Delays
Introduction

There is no chemical regulation in Mexico. In 2019, the General Health Council (CGS) proposed the Comprehensive National Policy for the Management of Chemical Substances. This draft law, which is still pending in congress, aims to regulate the use and importation of high-risk chemicals in Mexico, creating a National Registry of Chemical Substances (ReNaSQ). CGS’s proposal intended to put the burden of proof on companies to show that substances are safe; enable authorities to impose restrictions and bans on chemicals after an assessment; to impose obligations on producers or importing companies to provide regular information, etc. Expected to be submitted to Congress in 2020 and be approved by 2021, the bill is delayed. The delays arise from the complexity of aligning the requirements of various agencies and the broader necessity for standardized chemical regulations in Mexico. While efforts to establish a comprehensive framework are underway, no clear timeline for its completion has been set.