On October 2, 2026, the National Agency for Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection in the Hydrocarbons Sector (ASEA) published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) the Emergency Mexican Official Standard NOM-EM-008-ASEA-2026, “Transportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas by Tank Truck and Semi-Trailer,” which establishes new technical specifications and requirements regarding industrial safety, operational safety, and environmental protection applicable to this activity.
The new regulation addresses the need to maintain an up-to-date regulatory framework to prevent and mitigate risks associated with the transportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), particularly those related to mechanical failures, container integrity, operating conditions, and staff training.
Scope of the Regulation
NOM-EM-008-ASEA-2026 is generally applicable and mandatory throughout the national territory for regulated entities that transport LP gas using tank trucks or semi-trailers, the latter in conjunction with their respective tractor trucks.
Its provisions cover the start-up, operation, and maintenance phases, as well as the end of operation of the transport units, from the loading point to the unloading point of the product at regulated facilities.
Key Regulatory Obligations
The Standard establishes technical and documentation requirements that must be met to ensure the safety and integrity of transport units. Among the main obligations are:
- Mechanical integrity and condition of the units. Non-removable containers must be equipped with an identification plate, documentation certifying their design and manufacturing characteristics, as well as the fastening and safety devices specified in the Standard. In addition, requirements are established regarding the identification of units, emergency devices, safety equipment, and a speed limit of 80 km/h.
- Operation and Maintenance. Regulated entities must carry out inspections, preventive and corrective maintenance, and tests to verify the mechanical integrity of the containers, valves, fittings, and other components of the transport units.
- Staff training. The regulations establish requirements for theoretical and practical training for operators, including aspects related to safe driving, vehicle inspections, and procedures for coupling and uncoupling tractor-trailers and semi-trailers.
- Conformity Assessment. The Standard provides for the issuance of reports certifying compliance with applicable requirements, both for the start of operations and for operational and maintenance activities.
Transitional Provisions and Compliance Deadlines
NOM-EM-008-ASEA-2026 will take effect on October 6, 2026, and will remain in effect for six months, during which time the process of drafting the final Official Mexican Standard will continue.
For units that are already in operation, the Standard establishes relevant transitional provisions:
- Recognition of Previous Opinions. Compliance certificates issued in accordance with NOM-EM-006-ASEA-2025 prior to the new standard’s entry into force will be recognized by ASEA until their expiration.
- Obtaining the operation and maintenance approval. Regulated entities whose facilities are in operation and do not have a valid certification will have 90 calendar days, starting from the effective date, to obtain one.
- Hydrostatic tests. For non-dismantlable vessels that are 50 years old or older, a deadline corresponding to the term of the Standard is established for conducting the applicable hydrostatic test. Meanwhile, during that period, the test will not be required to obtain the operation and maintenance report for units in operation whose vessels are less than 50 years old.
- Inspection units. Inspection bodies with current accreditation and approval to assess compliance with NOM-007-SESH-2010 may conduct conformity assessments for the new standard while it remains in effect.
Implications for Regulated Entities
The entry into force of this provision requires permit holders and other regulated entities involved in the transportation of LPG to review the technical and documentation requirements for their vehicles, as well as their maintenance, training, and conformity assessment programs.
In particular, it will be important to identify the units that need to obtain or update their operation and maintenance certification, verify the validity of previously issued certifications, and establish a compliance schedule that takes into account the transition periods provided for in the Standard.
Furthermore, since this is an emergency regulation with a limited term of validity, those subject to the regulation should remain attentive to developments and the eventual publication of the final Mexican Official Standard in order to promptly identify any adjustments that may result from its issuance.
At Vega, Guerrero & Associates, we have a team that specializes in environmental and regulatory law. If you have any questions about the scope of these provisions or their implications for your operations, please do not hesitate to contact us.
