U.S.-Mexico Trade: Assessment of Mexico's Environmental Controls for New Companies

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO assessed Mexico's environmental controls on new U.S. majority-owned companies under the Mexican maquiladora program, focusing on: (1) whether six U.S. maquiladora companies established between May 1990 and July 1991 followed Mexican regulations and procedures before beginning operations; (2) providing information on needed improvements in environmental controls; (3) reviewing Mexico's limitation on public participation in approving environmental impact appraisals and operating permits; (4) assessing Mexico's budget for its environmental protection program; and (5) providing information on U.S.-Mexican cooperation to strengthen and improve environment impact appraisal compliance.