G/SPS/N/MEX/311  
13 January  2017 
(17-0254) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measu res Original:  Spanish  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member : MEXICO  
If applicable, name of local government involved:  
2. Agency responsible : Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y 
Alimentació n (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheri es and Food)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO ; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable) : Genetically modified organisms  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  
[X] All trading partners  
[ ] Specific regions or countries:  
5. Title of the notified document : Proyecto de Norma Oficial Mexicana PROY -NOM-000-
SAGARPA/SEMARNAT -2015, Por la que se establecen las caracterís ticas y requisitos que 
deberán contener los estudios de evaluación de los posibles riesgos que la liberación 
experimental de organismos genéticamente modificados pudieran ocasionar al medio 
ambiente y a la diversidad biológica, así como a la sanidad animal , vegetal y acuícola  
(Draft Mexican Official Standard PROY -NOM-000-SAGARPA/SEMARNAT -2015 establishing 
the characteristics and requirements to be met by studies assessing the risks to the 
environment and biodiversity, and to animal, plant and aquatic health , that may be caused 
by the experimental release of genetically modified organisms) Language(s) : Spanish 
Number of pages : 13 
http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo= 5468449&fecha=03/01/2017  
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/MEX/17_0285_00_s.pdf  
6. Description of content : The National Development Plan 2013 -2018 seeks to ma ximize 
Mexico's potential through five national goals . One of these, "México Próspero", aims to 
promote the growth of productivity in a climate of economic stability by creating equal 
opportunities, ensuring adequate infrastructure, and establishing favour able conditions for 
economic development through regulations that foster healthy competition and a strategy 
to deregulate, reorientate and simplify the regulatory framework for the agri -food sector . 
Another objective of the National Development Plan 2013 -2018 is to boost and guide 
inclusive and facilitation -oriented green growth, which preserves our natural heritage while 
generating wealth, competitiveness and employment . This will be implemented through 
comprehensive sustainable development policies and by  updating and aligning 
environmental legislation so as to effectively regulate actions that contribute to the 
preservation and restoration of the environment and natural resources.  
One of the aims of the Law on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms ( LBOGM) is to 
regulate the experimental release of genetically modified organisms into the environment , 
with a view to preventing, avoiding or reducing the risks to the environment and 
biodiversity, and to animal, plant and aquatic  health, that this activit y may cause.  
To meet its objective, the LBOGM seeks to establish the basic content of Mexican Official 
Standards on biosafety, in accordance with Article 2:XII . This requires compliance with the G/SPS/N/MEX/311  
- 2 - 
  commitments set forth in international treaties and agreement s to which the United 
Mexican States is party, in such a way that the content and scope of the Standards 
concerned are consistent with these treaties and agreements, in accordance with Article 
9:VI of the LBOGM.  
In the context of this Standard, risk assess ment is understood to mean the process that is 
to be carried out by the parties concerned, whereby they analyse on a case -by-case basis, 
using scientifically and technically based studies in accordance with Articles 60 and 64 of 
the LBOGM, the risks to or effects on the environment and biodiversity, and animal, plant 
and aquatic  health, that may be caused by the release of genetically modified organisms at 
the experimental stage.  
7. Objective and rationale : [ ] food safety , [X] animal health , [ ] plant pr otection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  
8. Is there a relevant international standard ? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial numbe r of Codex 
standard or related text) : 
[ ] World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. T errestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : 
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention ( e.g. I SPM No. ): 
[X] None  
Does this proposed regulation con form to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  
10. Proposed date of adop tion (dd/mm/yy) : Upon its publication in the Official Journal as 
a final standard.  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : To be determined.  
11. Proposed date of entry into force : [ ] Six months from date of publication, and/or 
(dd/mm/yy) : To be determin ed. 
[X] Trade facilitating measure  
12. Final date for comments : [X] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 14 March 2 017 
Agency or authority designated to handle comments : [X] National Notification 
Authority, [ ] National Enquiry Point . Address, fax number and email address (if 
available) of other body:  
Email : consultapublica.ogm@senasica.gob.mx  G/SPS/N/MEX/311  
- 3 - 
  13. Text(s) available from : [ ] National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point . Address, fax number and emai l address (if available) of other body:  
Subsecretaría de Competitividad y Normatividad  
Dirección General de Normas  
Av. Puente de Tecamachalco 6, Piso 2, Lomas de Tecamachalco  
Sección Fuentes, C.P. 53950  
Naucalpan de Juárez, Estado de México  
Tel.: (+52 55) 5729 9100, Ext. 43220  
Email : normasomc@economia.gob.mx  
 sofia.pacheco@economia.gob.mx  
Website: http://www.senasica.gob.mx/?id=5456