General context
On December 17, 2025, the Decree amending and adding various provisions of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA) was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF).
The purpose of the reform is to expressly incorporate the participation of the National Guard in inspection, surveillance and support tasks for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) in the supervision of federal environmental compliance.
Main changes
- The list of federal agencies that may collaborate with SEMARNAT is expanded to expressly include the National Guard, together with SEDENA and SEMAR, in cases that merit it due to the nature and seriousness of the environmental problem.
- It is allowed to request the intervention of the National Guard in inspection and surveillance activities within federal protected natural areas.
- The Secretariat is empowered to request support from the National Guard through specific collaboration agreements or arrangements, guaranteeing the formality of such cooperation.
- The competent authority is authorized to request the assistance of the public forces or the National Guard when an inspection visit is impeded or obstructed.
Entry into force and transitional provisions
- The decree became effective on December 18, 2025.
- Within a maximum period of 180 calendar days, the Federal Executive Branch must make the corresponding adjustments to the Regulations of the National Guard Law to harmonize it with the new environmental provisions.
Practical implications
- SEMARNAT may rely on the National Guard to reinforce environmental inspection operations, mainly in protected natural areas and in cases of resistance to law enforcement.
- Companies and organizations with activities subject to environmental inspection should monitor the collaboration agreements issued by SEMARNAT and possible regulatory changes derived from them.
- The federal environmental authorities are expected to have greater operational and coercive capacity, especially in the case of serious or recidivist environmental offenses.
In Vega, Guerrero & Asociados we have a team specialized in environmental law that can provide legal assistance during inspection visits, as well as in the attention of the authority’s requirements. If you have any questions, please contact us.
