This GT Alert provides information regarding the publication of the General Guidelines for government officials that participate in government contracts and issuance of licenses, permits, authorizations and concessions.

The federal government in light of certain recent events in Mexico is trying to reduce conflicts of interest and corruption in connection with government contracts, licenses, permits and concessions.

The Ministry of the Public Function (Secretaría de la Función Pública) (SFP) issued on Aug. 20, 2015, the General Guidelines for government officials that participate in government contracts and issuance of licenses, permits, authorizations and concessions and those who supervise public works (the Specific Government Officials).

Notwithstanding that the coordinated regulatory agencies on energy matters, such as the Energy Regulatory Commission (Comisión Reguladora de Energía) and the National Hydrocarbons Commission (Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos), already have strict codes of conduct, companies such as CFE and PEMEX that have codes of ethics and codes of conduct that are different from those in the new General Guidelines, will have to modify their procedures to comply with the new strict Guidelines.

Continue Reading.