Mexico. The National Association of Paint and Ink Manufacturers (ANAFAPYT) asked federal authorities to establish a fair tariff on imports of aerosol paints from Asia, particularly China. According to the union, these products enter the country without sanitary regulation or tariffs, which has generated unfair competition that directly affects national production.
Currently, many Mexican plants in the sector operate at 40% of their installed capacity. The association warns that this situation compromises employment, investment in technology and the stability of the value chains associated with the paints and inks sector.
In addition to the trade distortion, ANAFAPYT has identified irregularities in imported products, including possible levels of lead above what is allowed and differences in the net content declared, contrary to the provisions of the Official Mexican Standards (NOM).
In this context, the association proposes to reduce the limit of lead allowed in paints, currently set at 600 parts per million (ppm) according to NOM-003-SSA1-2006, to 90 ppm. This measure is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the regulations in force in countries such as the United States, Canada and the European Union. According to the union, several Asian products far exceed these values, which represents both a health and environmental risk.
ANAFAPYT is in dialogue with the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) to advance in the updating of NOM-003 and the approval of NOM-123. At the same time, it is working with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) to strengthen controls on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and establish technical criteria that support fair trade.
"The establishment of an adequate tariff is not a protectionist measure, it is a legitimate tool to ensure fair trade and regulatory fairness. We cannot allow products to enter without control and without contributing to national development, while our manufacturers comply with each standard and still see their operation threatened," said Flor de María González Mariblanca, general director of ANAFAPYT and vice president of SMEs in the 2030 Agenda commission of CONCAMIN.
The Mexican paint and ink industry generates annual sales of more than 106,232 million pesos, exports of 184 million dollars and represents 14.46% of the GDP of the chemical sector. It also supplies key industries such as construction, automotive, packaging, appliances and mass consumption.
With more than eight decades of experience, ANAFAPYT reiterated its commitment to strengthening a regulated, competitive and safe industry, which contributes to the economic development of the country.
