Mexico NOM-121-SCT1-2009 testing for spread spectrum radio equipment operating in the 902-928 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz bands

Mexico NOM Radio Certification Testing

Compatible Electronics is directly accredited for NOM-121-SCT1-2009 — the mandatory Mexican standard for spread spectrum radio equipment in the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz bands. Combined FCC + ISED + NOM testing from a single session for complete North American wireless certification.

NVLAP AccreditedNOM-121-SCT1-2009 AccreditedFCC Listed LabCombined FCC + ISED + NOM

What is NOM-121-SCT1-2009?

NOM-121-SCT1-2009 is the mandatory Mexican technical standard for radio-telecommunications equipment using spread spectrum technology — specifically covering frequency hopping and digital modulation systems operating in the 902–928 MHz, 2400–2483.5 MHz, and 5725–5850 MHz ISM bands. It is the direct Mexican equivalent to FCC Part 15.247 and ISED RSS-247 for these bands. Products subject to NOM-121-SCT1-2009 must receive IFT type approval before import or sale in Mexico.

Accredited NOM Standard

NOM-121

NOM-121-SCT1-2009 — Spread Spectrum Radio Equipment

Radio-telecommunications systems using spread spectrum technology — equipment using radio frequency hopping and digital modulation
Covers 902–928 MHz, 2400–2483.5 MHz, and 5725–5850 MHz bands
Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) and direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) systems
Mexican equivalent to FCC Part 15.247 and ISED RSS-247 for spread spectrum devices
Accredited at Lake Forest/Silverado location
ILAC MRA recognized test reports accepted for IFT (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones) type approval submissions

Note: Compatible Electronics’ Mexican accreditation specifically covers NOM-121-SCT1-2009 for spread spectrum radio equipment. For other NOM product categories (e.g., electrical safety NOM-001-SCFI, energy efficiency NOMs), additional testing through Mexico-authorized certification bodies may be required. Contact us to confirm the applicable path for your product.

Products Covered by NOM-121-SCT1-2009

2.4 GHz Devices

WiFi, Bluetooth & Zigbee

WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac/ax in 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands
Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in 2.4 GHz band
Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4) devices in 2.4 GHz and 915 MHz bands

Sub-GHz Devices

LoRa, Z-Wave & FHSS

LoRa FHSS devices in 902–928 MHz band
Z-Wave and other spread spectrum devices in applicable bands
Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) and direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) systems

RF Measurements for NOM-121-SCT1-2009

Core RF Measurements

Conducted & Radiated

Conducted output power — at antenna port for all channels and spreading factors
Radiated EIRP — in anechoic chamber at maximum power mode
Occupied bandwidth (99% method)
Out-of-band and spurious emissions
Band edge compliance — emissions outside the permitted band
Frequency accuracy and stability

Spread Spectrum Specific

FHSS / DSSS Verification

Frequency hopping channel count verification (minimum 50 channels for FHSS)
Maximum dwell time per channel — 400 ms for FHSS systems
Power spectral density per MHz for spread spectrum systems

Combined FCC + ISED + NOM Testing

NOM-121-SCT1-2009 measurement requirements closely align with FCC Part 15.247 and ISED RSS-247. Compatible Electronics routinely performs FCC, ISED, and NOM testing from a single set of measurements, delivering three market certification packages from one test session:

Triple Market

FCC + RSS-247 + NOM-121 Combined

ANSI C63.10 + RSS-247 Issue 3 + NOM-121-SCT1-2009 — one spread spectrum test session at Lake Forest/Silverado
US (FCC ID), Canada (IC number), and Mexico (IFT type approval) from one set of measurements
Combined application packages for all three markets delivered together
Eliminates duplicate testing — significant cost and schedule savings for North American market launch

Mexico NOM Radio Certification Process

Testing

Accredited Lab Testing

Testing at Compatible Electronics NVLAP ILAC MRA accredited laboratory to NOM-121-SCT1-2009
Accredited test report issued with NVLAP ILAC MRA mark
ILAC MRA recognized reports accepted by IFT-authorized Mexican certification bodies

Certification

IFT Type Approval

Accredited test reports submitted to IFT-authorized certification body for Mexican type approval (homologación)
IFT issues NOM certification mark for the approved device
Mexican in-country representative or certification body required for IFT application filing

Labeling

Product Requirements

Products must be labeled with NOM certification mark before import or sale in Mexico
NOM mark confirms compliance with applicable NOM technical standard
Compatible Electronics can provide referrals for Mexican in-country certification partners

Real-World Testing Examples

WiFi 6 Access Point — FCC + ISED + NOM Triple Market

A networking equipment manufacturer required FCC, ISED, and NOM certifications for a WiFi 6 (802.11ax) access point for simultaneous US, Canadian, and Mexican market launch. Compatible Electronics performed ANSI C63.10 measurements for FCC Part 15C at Lake Forest/Silverado, covering all 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels at maximum power and all modulation rates. The same measurements satisfied RSS-247 Issue 3 (ISED) and NOM-121-SCT1-2009 (IFT) requirements. A single test session produced three market test reports, eliminating duplicate testing across markets and accelerating the combined North American certification schedule.

LoRa Frequency Hopping Module — FCC + RSS-247 + NOM-121

A semiconductor manufacturer needed simultaneous FCC Certification, ISED certification, and Mexican NOM compliance for a LoRa module operating in the 902–928 MHz FHSS band. Compatible Electronics performed ANSI C63.10 testing at Lake Forest/Silverado, verifying all 64 upstream channels, maximum 400 ms dwell time, conducted output power across all spreading factors (SF7–SF12), and EIRP with the reference antenna. The same measurement data supported FCC Part 15.247, RSS-247 Issue 3, and NOM-121-SCT1-2009 simultaneously. The modular transmitter grant for all three markets was delivered from a single test session.

Smart Home Hub — Multi-Protocol NOM + North American Certification

A consumer electronics company needed NOM compliance for a smart home hub containing WiFi 802.11ax (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, and Zigbee for the Mexico retail market. Compatible Electronics performed NOM-121-SCT1-2009 testing at Lake Forest/Silverado for all three 2.4 GHz spread spectrum radios, measuring each radio individually and in worst-case simultaneous operation. The WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee measurement data also supported parallel FCC Part 15C (ANSI C63.10) and RSS-247 Issue 3 (ISED) submissions, completing the full North American certification program for all three markets from one test engagement.