MEXICO
last revision May 1, 2000

CONTENTS

I. REGULATORY AND LEGAL OVERVIEW

A. Generally
B. Legislative/Regulatory Framework

1. The General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (the “General Ecology Law”)
2. Regulations
3. Official Mexican Norms (Normas Oficiales Mexicanas or “NOMs”)
4. State Laws and Standards

C. Administrative Framework

1. SEMARNAP
2. Agencies within SEMARNAP
3. Federal Delegates
4. State and Municipal Environmental Authorities
5. Other Regulatory Agencies

D. Local Legal Resource

II. PERMITTING: SOLE ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSE (“LAU”)

A. Definitions
B. Affected Industries

1. Mandatory LAU
2. Optional LAU

C. Mechanics of the New Process

III. REPORTING: ANNUAL OPERATING REPORT (“COA”)

A. Definitions
B. COA Contents
C. Affected Facilities

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A. Generally
B. Applicability

1. Applicability, Generally
2. Applicability for Specific Projects/Activities
3. State and Local Authorities
4. EIA and the LAU
5. “Catchall” Category

C. Types of Environmental Impact Assessments

1. Preliminary Reports
2. Environmental Impact Assessment (“MIA”)
3. Risk Studies

D. Authorization Process
E. Public Participation

V. CONTROLLING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: NEW NOMs

1. The New NOMs
2. Example of New NOMs

VI. AIR POLLUTION

A. Sources of Regulation

1. Air Pollution Under the General Ecology Law
2. Regulation of the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and the Protection of the Environment in Matters of Prevention and Control of Contamination of the Atmosphere (“Air Regulation”)
3. Ambient Air Standards in the NOMs

B. Competent Authorities
C. Stationary Source Standards

1. Ambient Air Standards
2. Regional Air Quality Programs

D. Process-Specific MPLs for Stationary Sources
E. Compliance Requirements

1. Generally
2. The New Annual Reporting Format (COA)

F. Permitting Process

1. Federal Sources
2. Microindustry Exemption
3. The Old Permit System
4. The New Permit System (LAU)

G. Sanctions

1. Administrative Sanctions
2. Penal Sanctions

VII. WATER POLLUTION

A. Sources of Regulation

1. Prevention and Control of Water Contamination in the General Ecology Law
2. The Law of National Waters (Ley de Aguas Nacionales)
3. The Regulation to the Water Law (“Water Regulation”)
4. Water Standards Under the NOMs
5. Other Sources of Regulation

B. Competent Authorities

1. Federal
2. State/Local

C. Standards

1. Generally
2. Wastewater Discharge Standards in the NOMs

D. Permits and the Permitting Process (Federal)

1. Concessions for Water Use
2. Wastewater Discharge Permits

E. Wastewater Discharge into Federal Waters: Compliance Requirements

1. Generally
2. Notices

F. Wastewater Discharge to Municipal Sewers: Compliance Requirements
G. The 1995 and 1996 Federal Water Decrees
H. Sanctions

1. Administrative Sanctions
2. Penal Sanctions

VIII. HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

A. Sources of Regulation

1. Hazardous Waste under the General Ecology Law
2. The Regulation to the General Ecology Law in Matters of Hazardous Waste (“Hazardous Waste Regulation”)
3. The Regulation on Ground Transport of Hazardous Wastes and Materials (“Transport Regulation”)
4. Hazardous Waste NOMs

B. Competent Authorities
C. Definition of Hazardous Waste

1. Characteristic Waste
2. Listed Waste
3. Incompatible Wastes
4. Mexican Definition vs. American Definition

D. Hazardous Waste: Authorizations and Manifests

1. Authorizations/Permits
2. Manifests

E. Creation of Hazardous Wastes

1. General
2. Generating Hazardous Waste
3. Manifests and the Generator
4. Other Responsibility
5. Reuse and Recycling

F. Handling Hazardous Waste, In General

1. Storage
2. Transport
3. Treatment
4. Disposal
5. Hazardous Waste Emergencies
6. Import and Export of Hazardous Wastes

G. Sanctions

1. Administrative Sanctions
2. Penal Sanctions

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