On June 15, 2026, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare published the provisions governing the new Labor Certificate for Agricultural Exports (CLA), based on Article 283-Quater of the Federal Labor Law, which took effect on May 1 of this year.
Although the reform initially authorized the STPS to issue certificates of compliance regarding labor and social security matters, the recently published provisions significantly expand the scope of the mechanism by linking it to the operations of agro-export value chains.
Scope of the Labor Certificate for Agricultural Exports
The CLA is not limited to verifying labor compliance within a single workplace; rather, it seeks to verify compliance with labor and social security obligations throughout the entire value chain.
In this regard, not only exporting companies but also producers, packing facilities, agricultural service providers, intermediaries, and other parties involved in the production and marketing of goods intended for export could be subject to verification.
Operational Scope and Potential Impact on Exports
The provisions establish mechanisms for the exchange of information among various authorities, including the STPS, the IMSS, the SAT, the SADER, and the Ministry of Economy. This model strengthens an interagency verification system for labor and social security compliance, with the potential to directly impact operations related to foreign trade.
Although the absence of the certificate will not prevent exports during the pilot phase, the provisions stipulate that the CLA may become a mandatory requirement for certain agricultural products.
In this scenario, labor or social security violations could extend beyond the strictly labor-related sphere and have consequences for export operations and access to international markets.
Implications for Businesses
This new framework requires companies in the agricultural export sector to review their compliance mechanisms not only with regard to their own workplaces, but also in relation to their suppliers and other participants in the supply chain.
In particular, it is important to have labor due diligence processes in place that enable the identification of risks related to social security and regulatory compliance among third parties.
At Vega, Guerrero & Asociados, we offer specialized support to identify occupational risks in supply chains, implement due diligence processes, and prepare companies for new regulatory compliance requirements. A proactive review can be key to anticipating operational impacts resulting from this new framework.
