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Mexico

Code Development

Summary
Summary

Mexico is currently developing its national building code. The proposed code is based U.S.'s International Code Council methodology. Currently, Mexico relies on official and voluntary standards. Although mandatory, official standards must be incorporated into local construction regulations to be implementable. 

Revision Schedule NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Existing Code Coverage
Commercial
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement
Working group
Best Practices NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details

Code Implementation - Compliance & Enforcement

Administrative/Enforcement Structures

Enforcement model: The federal government supervises the enforcement process by the accredited Verification Units (UV). A UV has to check the design (on paper) and the actual construction (on site) to present its Statement on Technical Approval (“Dictamen”). However, only two or three such accredited enforcement agencies exist at the moment, thus, raising issues about compliance capacity. At the local level, the model requires local authorities to request a “Dictamen” from an accredited UV to grant a construction permit. For HVAC, the power utility requests a “Dictamen” from an accredited UV to grant a new connection contract.

Compliance Checking on Design NA, compliance varies by jurisdiction – refer to country information sheet for details
Compliance Checking on Construction NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Checking on Pre-Occupancy
Air Tightness testingy
Commissioning before occupancy NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Commissioning after occupancy
Compliance Software Residential NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Software Non-Residential
Yes, Software exists
Penalties for non-compliance
Other penalties
Fines are also possible
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Finance/Loans/Ratings

The biggest encouragement is access to financing/loans that require incorporating energy efficient elements into construction and renovation. Such programs target construction companies, real estate companies, owners.

Compliance Rate monitoringe
Compliance Rate Publicised NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Lessons Learned NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Energy Use Statistics
Compliance Rate in % NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details

Capacity Building and Education

Awareness Raising
Awareness raising
Resourse kits
Compliance Training
Online resources -
Professional Curriculum
Other
Other awareness raising
Nationally Agreed Mitigation Action (NAMA) for Buildings

Mexico is implementing a NAMA to increase overall number of energy efficient homes. It involves development of three performance benchmarks (and ambition levels) for the residential sector: EcoCasa 1; EcoCasa 2; and Passive House: each with associated technical and finance needs. Training & capacity building are core elements for a range of technical and professional needs. Resources and web-support will be established. 

Building materials

Building Materials Ratings
Building Materials Ratings
Reference standards included in codes
Tested by certified test labs

NOM -018-ENER rates U-value and other parameters. Building materials are tested by certified labs. Labs are certified by Entidad Mexicana de Acreditación and have to be approved by CONUEE (La Comisión Nacional para el Uso Eficiente de la Energía).

Energy Performance Certificates

EPC Implementation
EPC Implementation
EPCs replace codes in some areas

The national legislation requires labels that disclose solar heat gain information for buildings, such labels replace a standard that would limit solar heat gain, i.e., there is no limit on solar heat gain.

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