International Code Council Partners with Mexico in Developing Energy Efficiency Model

New Code Represents Cumulative Efforts from Public and Private Sector

The International Code Council (ICC) and Calidad and Sustentabilidad en la Edificacion A.C. (CASEDI) [Building Quality and Sustainability] are pleased to announce the publication of the Mexico Conservation Code for Buildings, the first Energy Efficiency code for Mexico. This code represents the cumulative efforts on behalf of CASEDI, Mexico’s National Commission for Energy Efficiency (CONUEE), the Secretaria de Energia (SENER) [Department of Energy], ICC and input from other interested parties from both the public and private sector. This new publication is based on ICC’s International Energy Conservation Code, the most widely adopted energy code in the United States.

Working closely with local authorities in selected municipalities, CONUEE is assisting with the adaptation, adoption and implementation of the Mexico Conservation Code for Buildings. Plans are underway to significantly expand these outreach efforts in the months ahead. The Mexico Conservation Code for Buildings is available for public access at http://codes.iccsafe.org/Mexico.html.

The code contains the requirements for nonresidential buildings (including mixed occupancies) as well as three-story, or less, residential buildings. These requirements are presented separately in their respective sections and chapters. Both parts contain Administrative and Application, Definition, General Requirements and Energy Efficiency Requirements applicable to buildings for each of the scopes.

This is a comprehensive code that establishes minimum requirements for energy efficient buildings for the entire country and allows the use of prescriptive and performance provisions. This code also permits the use of new energy efficiency designs and materials.

“Mexico and the United States are long-standing allies with deep economic, cultural and building construction ties,” said Mark Johnson, ICC’s Executive Vice President and Director of Business Development. “ICC welcomes the opportunity to continue to build on its successful collaboration with CASEDI, CONUEE, SENER and others committed to energy efficiency.”

“Achieving the development of the IECC Mexico has been possible with the guidance and expertise of the ICC,” said CASEDI’s President Evangelina Hirata, “and the greatest challenge will be to promote its adoption and adaptation to local needs, and thus truly contribute to energy efficiency in the built environment.”

The parties recognize the mutual benefit to be gained from working together. Moving forward, the organizations will continue to identify additional areas of mutual interest for possible future cooperative programs or joint activities.

About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

About CASEDI

CASEDI, (Calidad y Sustentabilidad para la Edificación) is a non-for-profit civil association that promotes green building construction. CASEDI is the ICC Mexico Chapter and has worked mainly during the last years in the development of the IECC-Mexico, (Mexico Energy Conservation Code for Buildings) in coordination with the Federal agencies in charge of energy conservation in Mexico the SENER (Department of Energy) and CONUEE (National Commission for the Efficient use of Energy) with the objective to promote this code at the local jurisdictions to contribute to emissions reduction in building construction.

About SENER

SENER (Department of Energy) is the government agency whose responsibility is to develop and implement the energy policies for the country, according to the current laws, to guarantee that the energy supply is competitive, adequate, of high quality, affordable and sustainable as necessary for the development of the country.

About CONUEE

CONUEE (National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy) is an administratively independent branch of SENER whose main objective is to promote energy efficiency and to act as the technical body for the sustainable use of energy. It is also responsible to develop and update the Official Mexican Standards (NOM) for Energy Efficiency in coordination with other governmental agencies.