Mexico: rules and approvals
In 2025 the IFT was dissolved and replaced by the Agencia de Transformacion Digital y Telecomunicaciones, within which the Comision Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones now issues Certificates of Homologation.
The IS-04Z1 is an Ex mobile phone for people working inside classified areas at Mexican refineries, offshore platforms, petrochemical plants and fuel terminals. This page sets out how an explosion proof mobile phone supply route to Mexico will work for the IS-04Z1, and what is and is not available before launch.
Pre-launch · certification in progress · Launching Q4 2026
Short answer. An explosion proof mobile phone for Mexico cannot be bought yet: the SAMS IS-04Z1 is pre-launch (certification in progress, no certificate issued), and the datasheet, certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
Current position: certification in progress, nothing issued, launch targeted for Q4 2026. A buyer's engineering review is separate from the certificate. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
| Check | What to look for | IS-04Z1 today |
|---|---|---|
| Protection concept | Flameproof (Ex d) or intrinsic safety (Ex i) | Intrinsic safety, level ib |
| Zone suitability | Zone 1 gas and Zone 21 dust | Design target for Zone 1 and 21 |
| Certificate | Number, issuing body and schedule of conditions | In progress; not issued |
| Where it applies | Mexico: Altamira, Tamaulipas, Tula, Hidalgo, Dos Bocas, Tabasco | Classified by the site operator |

An intrinsically safe Android smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous areas in Mexico. It is pre-launch: IECEx, ATEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
The classified areas, operators and sites below are the ones covered in the SAMS Mexico market guide.
In 2025 the IFT was dissolved and replaced by the Agencia de Transformacion Digital y Telecomunicaciones, within which the Comision Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones now issues Certificates of Homologation.
Telecom and wireless products follow the PEC conformity assessment procedure, which results in a Certificate of Homologation, so older IFT references in supplier paperwork may be out of date.
Applicants are described as needing in-country testing in Mexico or at a laboratory recognised under a mutual recognition agreement, plus a local representative or importer.
Pemex was formed by decree on 7 June 1938 after the nationalisation of the private oil companies, and it is still state-owned and run by the government.
“Explosion proof” is the phrase most buyers use for equipment that may be taken into a classified hazardous area. Strictly, it covers several protection concepts: a flameproof enclosure (Ex d) contains an internal explosion, while intrinsic safety (Ex i) limits electrical energy so that an ignition cannot start. Phones are normally intrinsically safe, because a flameproof handset would be too heavy to carry all shift.
The IS-04Z1 uses intrinsic safety, with a marking target of Ex ib IIC T4, and is designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21. It is pre-launch, certification is in progress and no certificate has been issued.
In Mexico. Mexican plants say prueba de explosión loosely, but the concepts differ. Flameproof Ex d encloses a possible explosion, while the IS-04Z1 uses intrinsic safety to limit energy. At a refinery such as Dos Bocas, offshore Campeche or a petrochemical terminal at Altamira, the second concept suits a handset more than a heavy fixed fitting.
Nothing can be bought for Mexico today: the IS-04Z1 is pre-launch, and SAMS will supply end users through authorised distributors once certificates exist. What a buyer can do now is take the specification, ask for the written certification schedule and arrange a safe-area evaluation, so that the right local channel contacts you at launch.
The technical specification, marking target and conditions of use, sent by email.
Which certificates are in progress, in what order, and what is still to be confirmed.
Evaluation units can be used for connectivity, MDM enrolment and workflow testing outside classified areas.
Tell us the site, zone, gas group and quantity so the right authorised distributor can contact you.
Not yet. The IS-04Z1 is pre-launch and its certification is still in progress ahead of a Q4 2026 launch. No unit goes into a classified area before the certificate covering it exists. The datasheet, the certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
There is no list price yet. SAMS gives indicative pre-launch pricing in writing, against a stated quantity and site, and does not commit to a lead time before certification completes.
It is intrinsically safe (marking target Ex ib IIC T4), which is the usual way to make a phone for hazardous areas. It is not a flameproof (Ex d) design, and certification is still in progress.
The market guide for Mexico covers Dos Bocas, Tabasco, Bay of Campeche, Ciudad del Carmen, Coatzacoalcos and Minatitlán, among others. Site-level pages are linked below.
Through authorised distributors once certificates exist. Until then SAMS can send the datasheet and certification schedule and arrange safe-area evaluation units.
Not always. Mexico has telecom homologation and NOM schemes, and which applies depends on the product. Radio products generally need homologation, while some electrical products also need NOM certificates for customs clearance. Confirm both requirements with a Mexican certification body before shipping.
Typically Pemex offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, onshore fields and gas processing plants, refineries such as Tula, and petrochemical complexes on the Gulf coast. Each operator issues its own classification, so request the area drawing and the gas group and temperature class before specifying equipment.
They are different systems. Mexican practice follows the American code, so Clase and División is common, while the IS-04Z1 is designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 and has an NEC 500 route in progress. The mapping is a documentation matter, so confirm acceptance with the unidad de verificación and the plant.
Related guides for Mexico and for Mexico.
Share the site details and quantity. You will get the datasheet and the certification schedule back by email; pricing is indicative only until launch.
Tell us the zone, gas group and operator. We will send the datasheet and the certification schedule.