On May 29, 2020, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources ("SEMARNAT") published in the morning edition of the Federal Official Gazette the "Agreement whereby the general public is informed of the days that will be considered non-business days for purposes of the acts and administrative proceedings substantiated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and its decentralized administrative bodies, with the exception of the procedures and proceedi
The Agreement establishes that the suspension of the terms and time periods of the acts and proceedings conducted by SEMARNAT will be extended from June 1, until the health authorities determine that there is no epidemiological risk related to the gradual reopening of activities. Likewise, the Agreement establishes that during said period the following acts are exempted for the purpose of carrying out administrative acts, proceedings, and actions related to essential activities: Types of Procedure Enabled Days and Hours / Exception Forestry. Enabled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for attention, on Tuesdays and Thursdays as of June 2 of this year, until the authorities determine that there is no epidemiological risk. Chemical Substances and Hazardous Waste. Enabled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays as of June 2 of this year, until the authorities determine that there is no epidemiological risk. Atmospheric Emissions. The electronic system for regular reception remains in operation, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the following email addresses are enabled: • sinatec@semarnat.gob.mx • coa@semarnat.gob.mx • rene@semarnat.gob.mx • sgpa.coa@semarnat.gob.mx Protected Natural Areas. The activities and terms provided for the Conservation Program for Sustainable Development ("PROCODES") and for the Program for the Protection and Restoration of Ecosystems and Species at Risk ("PROREST") will not be suspended. Procurement, leasing, and services procedure. The activities and terms provided for in procurement, leasing, and services proceedings and in matters of public works will not be suspended, nor will the formalization of the corresponding legal instruments. Environmental Impact. Enabled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for attention on Tuesdays and Thursdays as of June 2 of this year and until the health authority determines that there is no epidemiological risk. (only for essential activities and priority projects). Infectious Hazardous Waste. Enabled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for attention on Tuesdays and Thursdays as of June 2 of this year and until the health authority determines that there is no epidemiological risk. Obtaining certificates for new vehicles and environmental certificates. Enabled from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as of June 1 of this year, until the authorities determine that there is no epidemiological risk. In another respect, the Agreement establishes that Wednesdays are enabled as of June 3 of this year, until the authorities determine that there is no epidemiological risk, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., for the carrying out of procedures and proceedings of the Industrial Management Unit of the National Agency for Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection of the Hydrocarbons Sector ("ASEA") with respect to the following activities: a. The reconnaissance and surface exploration, and the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons; b. The treatment, refining, disposal, marketing, transportation, and storage of petroleum; c. The processing, compression, liquefaction, decompression, and regasification of natural gas; d. The transportation, storage, distribution, and retail supply to the public of liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and petroleum products, and e. The transportation by pipeline and the storage that is linked to pipelines of petrochemical products resulting from the processing of natural gas and the refining of petroleum. Finally, the Agreement establishes that it is enabled as of June 1 of this year and until the authority determines that there is no epidemiological risk, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, for the carrying out of procedures and proceedings of the National Water Commission ("CONAGUA"), related to the proceedings of the permit to carry out hydraulic infrastructure works. For additional information, contact our experts: Edmond Grieger, Partner: +52 (55) 5258 1048 | egrieger@vwys.com.mx Rebeca Márquez, Associate: +52 (55) 5258 1048 | rmarquez@vwys.com.mx Ariel Garfio, Associate: +52 (55) 5258 1048 | agarfio@vwys.com.mx Roberto Flores, Associate: +52 (55) 5258 1048 | rflores@vwys.com.mx
