What is the Annual Operation Certificate (Cédula de Operación Anual – COA) and why is it key for your company?

The Annual Operation Certificate (Cédula de Operación Anual – COA) is one of the key instruments in environmental regulation in Mexico. It is a legal requirement for certain industries and establishments classified as stationary sources under federal or state jurisdiction. Through this report, companies annually inform authorities about their emissions, waste, water consumption, pollutant generation, and other relevant environmental variables.

At CAPSIA, we understand that regulatory compliance is not only an obligation but also a sustainability and business competitiveness strategy. That’s why we support our clients through every phase of their projects, and one of our key services is the preparation and submission of both federal and state COA, with special focus on the states of Querétaro and Guanajuato.

Federal COA: Who is obligated?

The federal Annual Operation Certificate (Cédula de Operación Anual – COA) must be submitted to the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and is intended for establishments that are required to report under federal jurisdiction. This includes:

• Stationary sources under federal jurisdiction
• Generators of large quantities of hazardous waste
• Companies providing waste management services
• Entities discharging wastewater into bodies of water considered national waters
• Establishments emitting 25,000 tons or more of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (tCO₂e) from Greenhouse Gases and Compounds (CyGEI), belonging to the productive sectors specified in the Regulation of the General Climate Change Law regarding the National Emissions Registry (RENE)

Components of the report:

• Atmospheric emissions
• Hazardous waste
• Water consumption and wastewater discharge
• Use of chemical substances

State COA: Querétaro and Guanajuato

Querétaro

In Querétaro, the state-level Annual Operation Certificate (Cédula de Operación Anual – COA) must be submitted to the Secretariat of Sustainable Development (SEDESU). This procedure applies to stationary sources not regulated by the federation but still required to report emissions, waste, or discharges.

Guanajuato

In Guanajuato, the procedure is carried out before the Secretariat of Water and Environment (SAMA). While the process may vary slightly, the goal remains the same: to ensure traceability and control of environmental impacts through the reporting of emissions, transfers, and pollutant management.

Why submit your COA with CAPSIA?

At CAPSIA, we don’t just fulfill the procedure, we transform it into an opportunity for your company.
Our EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) experts ensure the Annual Operation Certificate (Cédula de Operación Anual – COA) preparation and submission are done correctly, on time, and strategically.

What sets us apart?

• Personalized attention: Every client has a unique project, and we adapt to your needs.
• Technical precision: Our reports comply with all legal and technical requirements.
• Preventing Operational Delay: We avoid mistakes or omissions that could cause operational delays.
• Operational optimization: We use COA data analysis to detect opportunities for improvement and environmental efficiency.

Conclusion

The Annual Operation Certificate (Cédula de Operación Anual – COA) is not just another legal requirement: it is a tool that can help you better understand your operation and make data-driven decisions.
At CAPSIA, we turn this obligation into a competitive advantage for your company.

Do you have operations or an industrial plant in Querétaro or Guanajuato?
We help you comply without complications.

References:

• SEMARNAT – https://www.gob.mx/semarnat
• General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA)
• Secretariat of Sustainable Development Querétaro (SEDESU) – https://www.queretaro.gob.mx/sedesu
• Secretariat of Water and Environment (SAMA) – https://agua.guanajuato.gob.mx/
• Regulation of the LGEEPA regarding the Emissions and Pollutant Transfer Register (RETC)