Sustainability Reporting Standards (NIS, Mexico)

The Sustainability Reporting Standards (NIS) represent a key effort in Mexico to standardise the way organisations report their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts.

These standards are issued by the Mexican Council of Financial and Sustainability Reporting Standards (CINIF) with the aim of establishing clear, reliable and comparable guidelines that support responsible decision-making by investors, regulators and other stakeholders. The first set, made up of NIS A-1 and NIS B-1, was published on 13 May 2024 and entered into force on 1 January 2025.

What are the NIS?

The NIS are a set of technical and conceptual guidelines designed so that companies can report non-financial information with the same rigour as traditional financial statements. They are grouped into different series, the first being NIS A-1 (Conceptual Framework) and NIS B-1 (Basic Sustainability Indicators).

These Mexican standards are aligned with international trends such as those of the ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board), but are adapted to the country's economic, regulatory and cultural context, which makes them a highly relevant reference framework for companies operating in Mexico. The NIS apply to entities that prepare their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards (NIF).

Main components

1. Conceptual framework (NIS A-1): defines key principles for preparing sustainability reports, such as relevance, reliability, comparability and transparency.
2. Basic Indicators (NIS B-1): establishes 30 Basic Sustainability Indicators (IBSO) that companies must report on topics such as emissions, energy and water consumption, waste, gender equality and governance.
3. Compatibility with other standards: the NIS are compatible with international standards such as GRI, SASB and the IFRS S1 and S2 standards of the ISSB.

Benefits of adopting the NIS

• Transparency and trust: they make it possible to communicate sustainability performance more clearly.
• Attracting investment: responsible investors value standardised, comparable information.
• Regulatory compliance: as ESG requirements increase, the NIS make it easier to align with future national and international regulations.
• Risk management: they help identify and anticipate environmental, social and reputational risks.

Challenges and outlook

Although the NIS represent a major step forward, their adoption can pose challenges, especially for SMEs that do not have specialised sustainability teams. Their gradual implementation, the availability of training and alignment with international standards nevertheless offer an opportunity for Mexican companies to professionalise and become more competitive in national and global markets.

As ESG strategies grow across Latin America, the Sustainability Reporting Standards could become a common requirement for accessing finance, taking part in tenders or being part of global value chains.

The NIS: a sustainability standard in Mexico

The NIS are a key step in raising the quality and usefulness of sustainability reporting in Mexico. Thanks to their technical approach, international compatibility and national relevance, they are shaping up to be a fundamental standard for organisations that want to strengthen their ESG performance, comply with future regulatory requirements and create long-term value.

At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.