3 Critical Regulatory Updates Manufacturers Must Know This Week: Mexico Energy Standards, Netherlands Food Contact Rules, and Australia E-Mobility Safety Requirements
- Charlene
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Three critical regulatory updates this week could impact your manufacturing compliance strategy and market access across Mexico, Netherlands, and Australia.
Contents
🔌 The Mexican Official Standard for Energy efficiency in Central Air Conditioners
This standard covers a new mandatory standard (Norma Oficial Mexicana – NOM) that specifies energy efficiency requirements for central air conditioning units in Mexico. The Mexican Standard establishes the minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) for central air conditioners with variable refrigerant flow. It also specifies the test methods that must be used to verify compliance and defines the labeling requirements for public information.
Applicable to ducted central, packaged, and split-type air conditioners with electrically powered nominal cooling capacities from 5,275W to 19,050W, operating by mechanical compression and containing an air-cooled evaporator coil, an air-cooled condensing coil, and a single-speed (fixed capacity) compressor.
Status: Active enforcement - According to the latest update on May 12, the new standard will take effect on October 26, 2025, following the transition period.
Learn more here
🏭 What This Means for Manufacturers
Timeline: You have until October 26, 2025, to comply with new SEER requirements for central air conditioning units sold in Mexico.
Key Actions: Budget for additional testing costs, update product labeling, and review component sourcing for compressors and coils that impact SEER ratings.
🍽️ Netherlands Amends Regulations for Food Contact Materials
The Dutch State Secretary for Health, Welfare, and Sport has enacted a regulation amending the Packaging Products Act, effective January 1, 2025. This regulation regulates consumer products made of metallic and alloyed materials, specifically intended to come into contact with food. It requires operators to make a written declaration of conformity with the European Union Food Contact Materials (FCM) Regulation.
These changes are in line with the Benelux Committee of Ministers' Decision on metallic and alloyed materials and articles intended for contact with food (M (2022) 12). This decision is supported throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, with a final update of May 16, 2025.
Status: In effect - Coffee machines, Kettles, Electric tea machines, Electric milk frothers, Electric kitchen mixers (with metal parts that come into contact with food), Electric fryers (with metal inner chamber), Electric pots and cookers (with metal inner chamber).
Learn more here
🏭 What This Means for Manufacturers
Documentation Required: Provide written declarations of conformity for kitchen appliances with metallic food-contact components across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Products Affected: Coffee machines, kettles, tea machines, milk frothers, kitchen mixers, fryers, and electric cookers with metal food-contact surfaces.
Risk: Non-compliance could result in product recalls or market access restrictions across three countries.
🛴 E-micromobility devices and Batteries with the New Safety Regulation of Australia
From 1 February 2025, all e-micromobility devices, batteries, and chargers sold in NSW must comply with specified safety standards. These products are now classed as a 'declared electrical product'. Thorough testing, certification, and appropriate labelling are required before sale.
From 19 February 2025, retailers must provide consumers with clear and understandable safety information at the point of sale: fire and electrical safety warnings, instructions for safe use, storage, servicing and repair, and correct disposal methods.
August 2025: Testing and certification required for all products
February 2026: Labelling requirement comes into full force.
Status: In effect - E-bikes, E-scooters, E-skateboards, Hoverboards, all lithium-ion batteries and chargers of these devices.
Learn more here
🏭 What This Means for Manufacturers
Immediate Compliance: E-mobility devices are now "declared electrical products" requiring safety standards compliance in NSW, Australia.
Key Deadlines: Testing and certification required by August 2025; full labeling compliance by February 2026.
Critical Focus: Battery safety requirements are particularly stringent due to fire risk concerns.
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