What the Mezcal Regulatory Council does and why certification matters
The Consejo Mexicano Regulador de la Calidad del Mezcal (CRM, also known as COMERCAM) certifies that a mezcal meets Mexico's NOM-070 standard. It reviews the process from the registration of maguey plantations to the finished product, and only mezcals that pass can be sold as "mezcal" with its seal.
Key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 12, 1997 |
| Certification began | October 2003 |
| Accreditation | Mexican Accreditation Entity (EMA) and the Ministry of Economy's General Directorate of Standards |
| Member producers | More than 2,400 (reported in 2021) |
Source: Revista Quixe (2021).
What does it verify?
- Maguey: registration of plantations and the agave that enters the process.
- Facilities: that the palenque uses the processes its category requires (mezcal, artesanal or ancestral).
- Lab: that the mezcal meets the standard's limits, such as methanol, higher alcohols and proof.
- Label: that it states category, class, agave and required details.
Is the CRM the only certifier?
Not anymore. In 2017–2018, Mexico's Ministry of Economy authorized other bodies and labs, such as PAMFA, the Universidad Michoacana verification unit and CIDAM in Michoacán, and the Extracta lab in Oaxaca, bringing certification closer to producers (Revista Quixe, 2021).
Why it matters
Certification separates verified mezcal from an uncontrolled drink. For drinkers it guarantees origin and lab analysis; for bars, retailers and distributors it's required to sell the product as mezcal.
It also explains the category's growth: certified production rose from 980,375 liters in 2011 to 7,145,039 liters in 2019 (Revista Quixe, 2021, citing CRM data).
How it applies to ZUNTE
ZUNTE is a certified Oaxacan mezcal under NOM-070 and the Mezcal denomination of origin. COMERCAM (the CRM) certifies it in the Mezcal Artesanal category, as it does ZUNTE Gold.
FAQ
What is the CRM?
Mexico's Mezcal Regulatory Council, which certifies that mezcal meets NOM-070.
Since when has it existed?
It was founded on December 12, 1997, and began certifying in October 2003.
Are there other mezcal certifiers?
Yes. Since 2017–2018 the Ministry of Economy has authorized other bodies and labs.
How do I know a mezcal is certified?
Look for the word "Mezcal", NOM-070 and the certifier's seal on the label.
