Simplification and administrative improvement of procedures carried out before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in connection with appellations of origin or geographical indications.

08 / 27 / 25

Simplification and administrative improvement of procedures carried out before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in connection with appellations of origin or geographical indications.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO, August 27^th, 2025 – On August 7th, 2025, the Official Gazette of the Federation published the decree establishing actions for the simplification and administrative improvement of procedures carried out before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (the “Decree”).

The referenced Decree establishes a simplification of multiple procedures concerning applications related to declarations of appellations of origin (the “AO”) or geographical indications (the “GI”) filed before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial) (“IMPI”), with the purpose of streamlining the management of applications, establishing new filing codes for submitted applications, creating standardized forms through the consolidation of procedures, as well as reducing response times on the part of IMPI (the “Simplifications”).

The Simplifications, which will be presented below, are based, in part, on the provisions of the recently enacted National Law for the Elimination of Bureaucratic Procedures (Ley Nacional para Eliminar Trámites Burocráticos), considering that such law establishes obligations for administrative agencies to reduce bureaucratic costs in the provision of procedures and services, seeking the greatest benefit for individuals. Moreover, pursuant to statements made by IMPI itself through the electronic portal of the National Commission for Regulatory Improvement (Comisión Nacional de Mejora Regulatoria), the procedures in question were deemed confusing and unnecessary.

In general terms, the Simplifications consist of the following:

Requirements applicable for filing procedures concerning: (i) declarations of protection of an AO or GI; (ii) transformation of an application for a declaration of protection of an AO or GI; (iii) registration of the recognition of a foreign-protected AO or GI; and (iv) modification of a declaration of an AO or GI.

Specific filing codes for procedures regarding: (i) modification of a declaration of an AO or GI, and (ii) registration of a legal entity as certifying body for a GI.

Creation of a new procedure for the registration of a legal entity as certifying body for a GI.

New maximum response periods applicable to IMPI, ranging between 30 and 45 business days, depending on the procedure.

Consolidation of procedures regarding: (i) authorization to use an AO or GI, and (ii) renewal of the authorization to use an AO or GI, into a single procedure.

Establishment of a standardized form for multiple procedures related to applications for declaration, authorization for use, and registration of use agreements of an AO or GI, among other procedures.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that, pursuant to the transitory articles of the Decree, IMPI must implement the necessary adjustments to the regulatory instruments linked to the Decree within a maximum term of one year as of its entry into force. In addition, the transitory provisions establish that IMPI may not request requirements other than those set forth in the Decree; therefore, it will be important to take this into consideration during the period in which the law is not amended, in order to avoid any non-compliance with the documentation to be submitted. This is without prejudice to the authority’s power to request any additional information.

At SMPS Legal, S.C., we are committed to providing advice and guidance throughout the entire filing process before IMPI regarding any of the procedures contemplated in the Decree, in accordance with the new Simplification provisions, in connection with AOs and GIs.