Accreditation of Inspection Bodies for the Conformity Assessment of the NMX-AA-179-SCFI-2018 Standard: Measurement of Volumes of National Waters Used, Exploited, or Utilized 

 The extraction of national waters from bodies owned by the Nation constitutes a fundamental component for achieving integrated, transparent, and efficient management of water resources. This activity supports not only the sustainable use of water but also the protection of public interests as established in the National Waters Law. Ensuring that water extraction aligns with regulatory provisions is essential for preserving availability, promoting equitable access, and supporting long-term hydrological balance within the country. 

 However, in the current operation and monitoring of national water use across the territory, a principal-agent problem often arises. This challenge stems from information asymmetries between water users and authorities, particularly concerning the actual volumes of water extracted. Such asymmetries may lead to inefficiencies in resource use, hinder effective water planning, and, in some cases, create opportunities for underreporting the volumes extracted. When precise and reliable data are not available, authorities face significant limitations in enforcing regulations, establishing appropriate water allocations, and designing public policies grounded in real-world conditions. 

For this reason, the accurate measurement of volumes of national waters used, exploited, or utilized has become a critical mechanism for addressing these information gaps. Precision in measurement contributes to several key objectives, including: 

•  Ensure certainty in the determination of water volumes used, thereby strengthening transparency and building trust among authorities, users, and other stakeholders. 
• Obtain real-time data for both users and authorities, enabling the promotion of efficient water use practices,  

• Preventing underreporting and the hoarding of water resources, reducing the risk of misuse and ensuring compliance with legal and environmental obligations.   

Given this context, it is of great importance that Inspection Bodies accredited under ISO/IEC 17020:2012 carry out inspections to verify the proper operation of measuring devices and systems used for the utilization and exploitation of national waters. These inspections include assessing the methodology for volume measurement and the procedures for transmitting measurement data to the National Water Commission (Comisión Nacional del Agua). These verifications help ensure consistency, traceability, and reliability throughout the entire measurement process. 

 Currently, there are 19 accredited Inspection Bodies operating under this scheme. Their participation strengthens national efforts to improve water management practices, uphold regulatory compliance, and enhance the availability of trustworthy technical information. 

 This accreditation program represents a successful case of collaboration between the accreditation body and national regulators. It demonstrates how coordinated actions can reinforce confidence in conformity assessment results, support public policy objectives, and contribute significantly to the sustainable management and long-term preservation of vital natural resources.