David Ogden-Tamez
El Diario Oficial (The Official Daily), the equivalent of the United States Federal Register contains information on all the new federal laws, regulations, and rules that apply to businesses operating in Mexico. To border area businesses, the book has biblical importance because of harsh penalties for non-compliance. Ignorance of the law is no defense and some of the laws take effect on the day they are passed. The regulations are enforced by several Mexican government agencies. For example, regulations dealing with waste disposal and other environmental issues are handled by the government's environmental enforcement agency. This agency along with several others has the authority to issue stiff fines or close violators down.
Businesses may subscribe to the publication for daily delivery. The rate for six months can run between 300 to 350 pesos or $46 to $54. Leopoldo and Leonela Noriega run a government publications concession in Juarez and have exclusive rights as the official distributors of Diario. They are located at Calle Simona Barba, 5110, local 14, Centro Ejecutivo, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, telephone: (0115216) 13-49-32. The Diario is also posted on the world wide web each day by the National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade in Tucson, Arizona. Internet address: natlaw@ccir.arizona.edu Telephone: (520) 622-1200.
Sources: El Paso Times, Diana Washington Valdez