Mexico Launches Four New Standards to Boost Trade, Logistics

To strengthen its position as a global logistics and trade hub, Mexico introduces four new labor competency standards for the logistics and foreign trade sector. This initiative — led by the Ministry of Economy in coordination with Mexico’s National Council for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies (CONOCER), the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (AMACARGA), the National Association of Importers and Exporters of the Mexican Republic (ANIERM), and the National Association of Private Security Vehicle Recovery Companies (ANERPV) — responds to rising global demands and the need for a more skilled workforce, aiming to boost professionalism and competitiveness across the industry.

A Joint Effort to Professionalize the Supply Chain

These standards are the result of seven months of intense work and collaboration among private sector associations, government institutions, and industry experts. The initiative is rooted in the need for certified professionals whose skills meet global benchmarks and ensure safer, more efficient cargo movement and supply chain operations.

The four new standards are:

1. Development of Proposals for Foreign Trade Logistics Services

2. Operational Management of International Foreign Trade Logistics Services – Land and Rail Transport

3. Operational Management of International Foreign Trade Logistics Services – Maritime and Air Transport

4. Implementation of Geospatial Analysis to Strengthen Logistics Security in Foreign Trade Operations

Each standard was developed with rigorous methodology and will be validated by CONOCER, providing an official certification that recognizes the skills and competencies of logistics and foreign trade professionals.

“It has been over 15 years since such a committee was established. This signals a renewed commitment to collaboration across Mexico’s 32 federal entities,” says Ignacio Aguado, General Director of Innovation, Services, and Domestic Trade, Ministry of Economy.

“The world is changing, and Mexico must adapt its tools and capacities to the new global context,” says Sergio Silva, Head of the Economic Growth Unit, Ministry of Economy.

Empowering the Workforce for Global Trade

Guillermina Alvarado, Head, CONECTA, frames the initiative within a broader national strategy led by President Claudia Sheinbaum and Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing skills acquired through experience and practice, and stressed the need for future standards in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, and semiconductors.

Gerardo Tajonar, President, ANIERM, calls the launch a “strategic milestone.” He also outlines three priorities for strengthening the foreign trade ecosystem: continuous development of more competency standards, creation of an intelligence center for foreign trade, and establishment of a high-level specialized training institute.

A Ground-Level Perspective

Eva María Muñoz, President, AMACARGA, calls for unity and professional recognition across the freight forwarding community: “Let us ensure every worker can obtain the certification that proves their years of effort and skill.”

These standards hold practical, real-world relevance, says Juan Pablo Pacheco, Vice President of International Affairs, AMACARGA. “These are not theoretical documents, they are tools designed to reflect operational and regulatory realities on the ground.” He emphasizes that proper regulation must be designed with input from those who live it daily.

Professionalization of those responsible for logistics security will be key to the growth of the sector, says Luis Villatoro, President, ANERPV. He adds that over 400 public safety officials have already been trained to work in C4 and C5 monitoring centers in coordination with the National Guard.

Toward a Certified and Competitive Mexico

The four standards, soon to be published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), are only the beginning, say authorities. Officials plan to launch four additional standards by the end of the year. These efforts aim to create a labor market with clearly defined competencies, improve productivity, attract investment, and increase the competitiveness of Mexican companies in the global marketplace.