In brief

March 11, 2023 will mark the entry into force of Mexican Official Standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021 (“NOM-001-21“), that establishes maximum allowable limits for pollutants in wastewater discharges into national receptive bodies. This standard, substitutes NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996.

In more detail

The link to NOM-001-21 (in Spanish) is here.

NOM-001-21 sets new maximum allowable limits for pollutants being discharged into national water bodies, such as rivers, creeks, canals and drains, as well as into lakes, lagoons, marine waters or soils.

Parties that discharge wastewater to these receptive bodies, may defer compliance with NOM-001-21 if they submit to the National Water Commission (“CONAGUA“) a compliance plan, in compliance with the Administrative Provisions published in the Official Federal Gazette on 5 December 2022.

The link to the Administrative Provisions (in Spanish) is here.

The deadline for submitting the compliance plan is 3 April 2023. With the submittal of the plan, compliance with NOM-001-23 may be deferred until 11 March 2027 (as long the plan is met).

We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding NOM-001-21 or the Administrative Provisions.