On June 4, 2025, Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) officially announced that the enforcement of its “Guidelines for the Use of the IFT Seal” will be postponed until July 1, 2027. The decision comes amid sweeping constitutional reforms passed in December 2024, which call for the eventual dissolution of the IFT as part of a broader federal initiative to streamline regulatory bodies.
Background: What the IFT Seal Represents
Originally slated for enforcement starting July 1, 2025, the IFT Seal was intended to become a mandatory labeling requirement for all telecommunications and broadcasting equipment approved for sale in Mexico. The seal would serve as a visible mark of regulatory compliance under the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law (LFTR).
With the IFT’s future now uncertain, questions have emerged around who will manage such conformity measures going forward—and how.
Regulatory Disruption: Institutional Uncertainty
The December 2024 reform mandates that the IFT must be dissolved within 180 days of new secondary legislation being enacted. However, with no clear legislative timeline yet in place, the regulatory environment has grown uncertain.
In light of this ambiguity—and following extensive feedback from industry associations including ANFAD, CANIETI, and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)—the IFT chose to delay implementation. This move ensures that the yet-to-be-defined successor agency will have sufficient time to determine whether to retain, revise, or rescind the IFT Seal requirement.
Public Consultation & Industry Feedback
A public consultation was conducted between April 11 and May 2, 2025, drawing ten responses—six from individual stakeholders and four from organizations. Most participants favored postponement, citing the need for regulatory clarity, continuity, and cost mitigation.
Some suggested scrapping the rule altogether, while others proposed alternatives such as digital verification methods or referencing the seal in user documentation for automotive telecom systems.
To support the decision, the IFT also conducted a Zero Regulatory Impact Analysis, which concluded that the delay posed minimal additional administrative burden.
What the New Timeline Means
As a result of the updated decision:
The effective date of the IFT Seal Guidelines is now July 1, 2027.
The provision allowing access to vector files of the IFT Seal (from October 2024) has been repealed.
Until further notice, labeling with the IFT Seal is not required for approved telecom and broadcasting products.
Next Steps for Manufacturers and Importers
While the Seal is currently not mandatory, companies should:
- Monitor developments around the formation of the new telecom regulatory authority.
- Stay prepared for a potential reinstatement or restructuring of labeling rules.
- Ensure continued compliance with Mexico’s existing type approval and technical conformity requirements.
This postponement offers temporary relief but underscores the need for adaptive compliance strategies amid evolving institutional structures.
