Argentina’s Energy Efficiency Resolutions 795 and 800 Take Effect in 2020

Starting in 2020, manufacturers and importers of LED lighting and of electric pumps in Argentina must certify the energy efficiency of their products, in compliance with two new resolutions.

Resolution 795, dealing with general-purpose LED lighting, takes effect in stages over time.
  • Starting May 30, 2020, importers must have proof from the local certification body that they have started the energy efficiency certification process for the LED lamps they wish to sell in Argentina.
  • Starting Aug. 28, 2020, importers must have a valid energy efficiency certificate for omnidirectional LED lamps.
  • Starting Dec. 2, 2020, importers must have a valid energy efficiency certificate for unidirectional and bi-directional LED lamps.
  • Starting Mar. 1, 2021, importers must have a valid energy efficiency certificate for tube-style LED lamps.
Resolution 800, concerning electric pumps from 0.18kW to 5.5kW, is also rolled out over time.
  • Starting May 31, 2020, importers must be able to prove that they have started the energy efficiency certification process for their pumps.
  • Starting May 26, 2021, importers must have a valid energy efficiency certificates in hand.

As with all regulations taking effect in the future, Resolutions 795 and 800 could change before their scheduled effective dates. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact LARCG.

NOM-029: Regulating Energy Efficiency in Mexico

In addition to requiring NOM-001 certification, all external power supplies that are sold separately in Mexico require a certification known as NOM-029.

A NOM-029 certification ensures that Mexico’s energy efficiency standards have been met. NOM-029 is sometimes referred to more completely as NOM-029 ENER-2017, as it was last updated in 2017 (with an effective date of April 2018).

However, if a power supply (such as a charging cord for a cell phone) is packaged and sold as an accessory along with the main product, then it does not need additional NOM-029 certification. In that case, the cord is covered by the phone’s overall certification.

When it is needed, a NOM-029 certification is obtained through test evaluation. It is applicable for all power supplies intended to convert electrical voltage from alternating current (AC) to a single level of voltage or direct current (DC), with a maximum output power of 250W or less.

Power supplies that allow switching to manual output voltage levels, independent from the product, also require testing and certification.

NOM-029 is not applicable in some instances. If your electronic device was previously approved under NOM-019-SCFI-1997 or NOM-001-SCFI-1993, its power supply will not require the additional certification of NOM-029.

NOMs (“Norma Oficial Mexicana” or Official Mexican Standard) detail the form, format, and documentation that must be maintained for legal compliance.

Contact LARCG for more information regarding this or any other Latin America certification issue, whether in Mexico, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean.

©2020 Latin America Regulatory Compliance Group, LLC