The deadline to file comments to this publication is due on the 20th calendar day after the publication of such notice in the Federal Official Gazette, this is on August 28, 2006. The proposed changes to the rules of origin set out in Annex 401 of NAFTA applies to the following product categories: fish and crustaceans, herbs and spices (marjoram, kale and coriander, pepper of hibiscus, thyme; laurel leaves, celery seeds; basil, rosemary and sage); fish oils, certain food preparations (scented mixtures, soups and preparations), oils, petroleum oils and bitumen, leather, cotton boxers, aluminium, diesel engines, gas turbines and parts, valves, parts for electric engines, generators, electric transformers, primary cells and batteries, telephonics, turntable, record players, cassette players; radiotelephone issuing devices; radar devices; Reception apparatus for radiotelephony; televisions, Electric sound or visual sig naling apparatus; alarms; lamps, pipes and valves,with thermionic, cold cathode or photocathode tubes; electric machines and devices; insulated electric conductors; rail locomotives and tractors; bushings and "bissels"; parts of rail locomotives and tractors, electrocardiographs, including parts and accessories; medical devices; hydrometers and similar flotation devices; other instruments and devices for physical or chemical analysis; Automatic regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof; Time of day recording apparatus and apparatus for measuring, recording or otherwise indicating intervals of time, with clock or watch movement or with synchronous motor; cigarret lighters and other lighters, as well as specific rules of origin for the application of de minimis for goods of Section VI, products of chemical and similar industries.

Once the Ministry of Economy receives the comments of the Mexican industry, it will review them and take them into account to discuss them with the governments of the United States and Canada, and issuing, among the three countries, a final proposal. The text approved by the three countries must pass through the corresponding legal procedures in each one of them, being in Mexico, the approval by the Senate.

Once approved by the Senate, the amendments to Annex 401 of NAFTA will be published in the Federal Official Gazette. Should you require specific information or if you wish to file comments with respect to a particular rule of origin, please do not hesitate to contact us.