Selling Inverter Split ACs in Mexico: NOM Energy Efficiency Requirements

To sell an inverter split air conditioner in Mexico, the model needs NOM certification for energy efficiency and electrical safety, a Spanish-language yellow energy label showing its seasonal efficiency, and Spanish product information. For a single-zone inverter split, the energy standard is NOM-026-ENER-2015. Fixed-speed splits, and multi-split systems, fall under NOM-023-ENER-2018. Electrical safety is usually certified to NOM-003-SCFI-2014. Each certificate is issued by an accredited certification body after tests at an accredited laboratory, and customs can hold goods at the border without it.

Mexico is one of the largest split AC markets in the Americas, and much of its supply is imported. This guide explains the NOM air conditioner Mexico rules in plain terms for importers and distributors, with the steps, documents and timing that matter when you plan a container.

What Is NOM Certification?

NOM stands for Norma Oficial Mexicana, the official Mexican standard. NOMs are mandatory technical regulations published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF, the official gazette of the federation). For electrical products, NOMs cover safety, energy efficiency and labeling. The same system covers household appliances, lighting and other electrical goods, so most appliance importers meet NOM early.

A product covered by a NOM can't be legally imported or sold in Mexico without proof of compliance. In practice, that proof of conformity is a certificate from a certification body accredited in Mexico by the EMA (Entidad Mexicana de Acreditación), based on test reports from an accredited laboratory. The NOM logo then goes on the product or packaging.

For air conditioning systems and other HVAC equipment, the energy NOMs exist because cooling is one of the largest sources of household energy consumption in Mexico's hot regions, where AC keeps residential buildings at a level of thermal comfort people can live and work in. Every exporter shipping ACs to Mexico must comply with these regulatory requirements, and the same NOM approach applies across Latin America's largest AC market whether the unit is single-phase residential or larger three-phase equipment.

Which NOMs Apply to Split Air Conditioners?

Energy standards in Mexico are issued by CONUEE, the national commission for efficient energy use. The capacity limit of 19,050 W covers all common residential sizes; a 24,000 BTU unit is about 7,000 W.

Which energy NOM applies depends on the model's design, so confirm it with your certification body before testing. The scope sections of

What Efficiency Does NOM-026 Require?

NOM-026 sets a minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio, called REEE in Mexico (relación de eficiencia energética estacional), measured in watts of cooling per watt of electricity. The minimum depends on capacity:

An REEE of 4.68 W/W equals about 16 BTU per watt-hour. A summary of the standard is available from

The Mexican Energy Label

Every certified unit carries the yellow comparative energy label. It shows:

• The brand, model and cooling capacity
• The NOM's minimum REEE for that capacity
• The model's own REEE
• A bar showing how far the unit exceeds the minimum

The label must stay on the unit until the customer buys it. Retailers and buyers use it to compare models, so a high REEE is a direct sales argument. Our guide to aC スペックシートを読み込むrEEEがSEER2や他の評価と比較する方法について説明します.

What Does NOM-003 Cover?

NOM-003-SCFI-2014 sets electrical safety requirements: protection against electric shock, heating, insulation, mechanical strength and marking. Testing is typically based on IEC-derived methods, so a unit with a CB report already has much of the evidence a lab needs, though Mexican testing and certification are still required. Mexico's grid runs at 60 Hz, with 127V for household outlets and 220V supply common for larger split units, so models must be built and tested for those values.

How Does the NOM Certification Process Work?

1. Identify the applicable NOMs for each model with an accredited certification body (organismo de certificación).
2. Choose a certification scheme. Options differ in how much factory follow-up they require and how many models one certificate can cover.
3. Send samples to an accredited laboratory in Mexico, along with technical documents: specifications, wiring diagrams, manuals and labels.
4. Test. The lab runs the energy efficiency and safety tests.
5. Certificate issued. The certification body reviews the reports and issues the certificate, usually in the name of a company registered in Mexico.
6. Surveillance. Certificates are maintained through follow-up visits or retesting under the chosen scheme.

Most importers handle certification through their own Mexican company or a local partner who holds the certificates. The factory supplies samples, documents and test support.

How Long Does Mexico NOM Certification Take?

Timing varies with the lab's queue, the number of models and whether the first tests pass. A rough planning range for a new model family is several weeks to a few months, from sample arrival at the lab to certificate. Build that time into your first order, and order samples early. A factory that already holds Mexican certificates or test reports for the same platform can shorten the process.

Why Do NOM Projects Get Delayed?

Most delays come from paperwork rather than the product. The usual causes:

• Model numbers that don't match. The name on the test report, the nameplate, the label and the invoice must agree exactly. One extra letter can stop a shipment.
• Missing Spanish documents. Labs and certification bodies want the manual, wiring diagram and label artwork early.
• A failed efficiency test. If the measured REEE comes in below the claimed value, the label has to change or the unit has to be retested.
• Wrong voltage or frequency. A 50 Hz sample can't be certified for a 60 Hz market.
• Late samples. Units held in customs on the way to the lab eat weeks from the schedule.

A short pre-check with the factory, comparing every document line by line, avoids most of these.

Importing Into Mexico: Practical Points

• Register as an importer. Mexican importers must be listed in the SAT importers' register, and some goods need sector registration as well.
• Use a customs broker. Imports are cleared through a licensed customs broker (agente aduanal), who checks NOM compliance at entry.
• Check duties. Mexico has recently revised tariffs on many goods from countries without a trade agreement with it. Confirm the current rate for HS heading 8415 with your broker before pricing.
• Spanish labeling. Product information, manuals and warranty terms must be in Spanish.
• Spare parts. Hot regions such as the north and the Yucatán peninsula run units hard. Stock spare boards and sensors locally.

Our overview of air conditioner manufacturers serving Mexico covers the supply side of the market.

NOM Air Conditioner Mexico Checklist for Distributors

iClimaAir Inverter Split ACs for Mexico

iClimaAir builds inverter split ACs from 9,000 to 24,000 BTU at 60 Hz for the Americas, with R32 refrigerant, boards rated for 180 to 253V and cooling at outdoor temperatures up to 60°C. The factory supports importers with samples in about 14 days, technical documents for certification and Spanish labeling. See the full list of iClimaAir certifications, read the inverter split air conditioner guide, or learn more about iClimaAir. Selling in Colombia too? Our guide to

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is NOM certification in Mexico? A: NOM certification proves a product meets a Norma Oficial Mexicana, a mandatory Mexican technical regulation. For air conditioners it covers energy efficiency and electrical safety. A certification body accredited in Mexico issues the certificate after tests at an accredited lab, and the product can then be imported and sold.

Q: Which NOM applies to inverter split air conditioners? A: Single-zone split inverter units with variable refrigerant flow and no ducts fall under NOM-026-ENER-2015 for energy efficiency. Fixed-speed splits and multi-split systems fall under NOM-023-ENER-2018. Electrical safety is usually covered by NOM-003-SCFI-2014. Confirm the right standards per model with your certification body.

Q: Can I import air conditioners into Mexico without NOM? A: Not for sale. Customs checks NOM compliance at entry, and goods without valid certificates can be held or rejected. Limited exceptions exist for samples sent for testing, but commercial stock needs certificates, the energy label and Spanish product information before it reaches the market.

Q: Who holds the NOM certificate, the factory or the importer? A: Certificates are usually issued to a company registered in Mexico, often the importer or a local partner. The factory supplies samples, test support and technical documents. Some importers license certificates held by another Mexican company, but they should check the scheme allows it.